The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.įine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations.

The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity. While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. Good touches of complexity and a solid texture round out the complete package.California is a winemaking colossus by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. The good characteristics of toast oak mixing with jammy red fruits make for a fun wine that’s easy to drink. Ménage à Trois Folie À Deux is a lively and smooth wine that’s incredibly approachable. Savor: The ending is more of the mocha and vanilla notes overlaid with raspberry preserves and a gentle tannin. Texturally, it’s rather smooth, and a little bit of sweetness is present. Good acidity keeps it live, and touches of mocha linger. The fruit then kicks in, with lots of pomegranate, concentrated blueberry, and fresh raspberries. Sip: There’s a distinctly oaky note that starts off, with bits of vanilla, toast, and smoke. Little touches of espresso and mocha lurk in the background. Smell: Plums, jammy raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and a hint of spice lead off.

Sight: A more consistent ruby red from end to end. Check out the full article over at 10K Bottles website to see how it compares to Murphy Goode Homefront Red and a field of other reds from California.

This post of tasting notes and review of Ménage à Trois Folie À Deux is part of a collaborative series called “If you like…” with 10K Bottles.

Folie a deux wine menage red pairing