Summer and the Blessing of Fog (5 of 9)

Summer and the Blessing of Fog In summer, the rains that brought budbreak and flowering dry up. The skies are clear and blue, and temperatures rise. And rise. And rise. The growing grapes do not appreciate the heat, especially the grapes that will become red wines. But the Napa [...]

By |2021-06-29T15:55:34-07:00June 23, 2021|Wine Education|

Why is Cabernet Sauvignon the King of California Wine?

People often wonder how Cabernet Sauvignon became the quintessential varietal of California wine grapes. I’ll give you a little bit of history that should help explain the mystery. Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a bit of a love child, with a purple parent and a white parent. It is the cross [...]

By |2020-10-24T16:00:09-07:00September 21, 2017|Wine Education|

The 5 Things You Need To Know About Swirling Wine

Your friend pops open a magnificent bottle of 94 point 2013 YAO MING Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, pours herself a glass, and starts swirling it around. She's not tasting it. She's not even looking at it yet. Just swirling it around and around her glass. Is this the ultimate in [...]

By |2021-04-11T19:53:34-07:00July 12, 2017|Home Featured, Wine Education|

The Difference You Need To Know Between Tannin And Acid

Working in the tasting room at Yao Family Wines in St. Helena, perhaps the second most common question we receive from both beginners and experts alike is, “what's the difference between tannin and acid?” (the first most common is, “How tall is Yao Ming?”). This is a critical question, as [...]

By |2021-04-11T19:53:27-07:00May 3, 2017|Wine Education|

What Does It Take To Create A Classic Napa Sauvignon Blanc?

Like many wineries around the Napa Valley, every spring, Yao Family Wines releases a Sauvignon Blanc. This year's release, the 2016 Napa Crest Sauvignon Blanc, has many of the distinct characteristics found in classic Napa SBs. It's crisp, with a vibrant acidity in the mid-pallet. There are aromas of melon [...]

By |2020-10-24T16:00:09-07:00March 29, 2017|Wine Education|

Five Things You Need To Know For Rosé Season

With the first buds of spring fast approaching, Rose season is just around the corner. Rosé is typically the first release of the year for most winemakers, due to its relatively quick winemaking process. If you've explored the joys or Rosé, then you're as excited as we are for this [...]

By |2020-10-24T16:00:09-07:00March 8, 2017|Wine Education|
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