California (IV): Central Valley and Sierra Foothills

Matthew's World of Wine and Drink

Central Valley is the agricultural heart of California, home to Gallo, the world's biggest winery. There are, however, pockets where quality wine is made, such as the increasingly interesting Lodi. The Sierra Foothills are where California's modern history begins, with the 1849 Gold Rush. As in Lodi, there's plenty of old-vine Zin but particularly exciting are wines made from Mediterranean varieties such as Mourvèdre. These are definitely regions to look out for in the future.