Discover the nuances of California wines and increase your drinking pleasure Want to be a California wine connoisseur? This friendly guide gives you the knowledge you need to appreciate these fine wines, showing you how to taste them, select a good bottle, pair wine with food and much more. You'll see why certain wine regions are renowned and how to further enrich your wine-drinking experience. * California wine 101—understand the range of California wines, what makes them unique, and what a varietal wine is * Review the regions—explore the major wine regions of California and what makes each one special, from the soil to the climate * Open the bottle—become fluent in the Big Six: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel * Go beyond the basics—appreciate Pinot Grigio, Viognier, Syrah, sparkling wines, and more * Round out your wine experience—pair and share wines, learn about the proper glassware and serving temperatures, and prepare for a winery visit Open the book and find: * An overview of California wine today * Wine recommendations for all budgets * Explanations of wine label language * A map of wine regions * Tips for aging and collecting California wines * Winery tasting etiquette * The ins and outs of recent vintages * Top wine country travel destinations