The Wine Experience          
AVA

So why should you know what area a wine comes from?   Well it just might help you find more wines you like.

AVA is short for American Viticultural Area.   It's how we define vineyard areas that share certain common characteristics.

The concept is that climate, soils, geology and history combine to make an area distinctive...that Napa Valley is different from Sonoma Valley which is different from Santa Ynez Valley and so on.

Since there are all of these environmental things in common it can be another clue about the wine's possible characteristics.

For example, if you like Zinfandel from one producer in an area, like the Dry Creek Valley , chances are you'll like others from that same area since the grapes grow under similar conditions.

The AVA is on the label to help to distinguish between the same kinds of wines but from different areas.   Reading the label can make you a smarter wine buyer.

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