You can probably find more than a dozen distinct types of varietal wine from California if you scour the shelves of a good wine shop. A handful of wines are by far the most popular, most widely available, and best-known varietal wines from the Golden State:
| Wine Name | Color | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Chardonnay | White | Usually dry or fairly dry; full-bodied, smooth-textured; flavors can include ripe apple, tropical fruits, butter, or toasty oak |
| Sauvignon Blanc | White | Fairly dry; medium-bodied; pronounced aromas and flavors that can include white fruits (pear, apple), citrus, herbal notes, or fresh grass; usually no oaky character |
| White Zinfandel | Pink | Medium-sweet; smooth-textured; fruity flavors such as berries, melon |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Red | Dry; medium- or full-bodied, with some firmness of texture; medium-intense flavors that can include dark fruits, herbal notes, and smoky oak |
| Merlot | Red | Dry; medium- or full-bodied with fairly soft texture; medium-intense flavors that can include plum, tea leaves, chocolate |
| Pinot Noir | Red | Dry; fairly full-bodied, with silky texture; pronounced aromas and flavors generally of red berries, dark berries, cherry |
| Syrah/ Shiraz | Red | Dry; fairly full-bodied with smooth texture; flavors include juicy red or dark fruits, sometimes with earthy, spicy, or herbal notes |
| Zinfandel | Red | Dry or fairly dry; medium- or full-bodied, sometimes with firmness of texture; flavors of berries and herbs |