USA

In California climate is all, and vineyards have been classified on a scale of degree days, which measures the length of time the thermometer remains over 50° between April and October.

The simple fact according to this analysis was that the further your vineyard is from the cold inshore waters of the Pacific, the warmer it will get and the faster your grapes will ripen, which will result in lesser quality wine.

Of late however, California has begun to recognise that while climate is important, other subtleties of soil and drainage, sun hours, elevation - in fact the ever-present impact of the all-embracing terroir, all come into play in determining a wine's character. And all this before the winemaker starts to influence the flavours in your glass.

From the Oregon border in the north, to Santa Barbera in the south, this is a selection to be discovered and enjoyed for these terroir-determined differences.