The California List, just because

Photo: California Wine Institute via Meininger’s Wine Business International

California has no formal (or informal for that matter) classification system to establish quality like Bordeaux 1855 or the cru hierarchy in Burgundy. Thus, if you’re the kind of person who likes to know what the best wines are, you historically had no guideposts for California except personal experience and market prices. Maybe you didn’t realize that wasn’t good enough!

Never fear, into the vacuum now boldly steps a panel of British wine experts, including the ubiquitous Jancis Robinson (whom I’ve previously referred to as the queen of all wine media, sort of like a wine-soaked Howard Stern) to set the record straight with creation of The California List. The effort was conducted under the auspices of the California Wine Institute, which somewhat confusingly seems to be the UK public relations arm of the California wine industry.

The List doesn’t attempt to rate individual wines, but rather focuses on the 51 best California producers whose wines are available in the UK market. There was no tasting. The judges were asked to evaluate 150 producers based on quality, availability and “impact.” Some well-known cult wines didn’t make the cut if they aren’t easy to find in the UK, so controversy is assured, even if you weren’t already suspicious of the methodology. They intend to update it on an on-going basis with the next version scheduled for 2024.

Without further ado, here you can find The California List as published in its original form. If you drink a lot of California wine you likely won’t be surprised, although for my taste they lean a little hard on historic reputations rather than the wines on the market today. Given the American golfer’s preferences for cab and chardonnay, there’s a lot to like, but love it or hate it, they’ve at least drawn a line in the sand. How you want to play this bunker shot is up to you.