Wine Making Conditions
The influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean, the large swing between warm day and cool night temperatures, the diverse soils from calcareous to decomposed granite to sandy loam, all contribute to optimal growing conditions for high-quality wine grapes, enabling vineyards of the region to produce fruit of intense varietal character.
Grape Types
Red Wine
The most common grape varietals grown in the region are northern Rhone grapes: Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre.
Other relatively common red grapes include Cinsault, Carignan, and Petite Sirah with some limited amounts of Counoise, Muscardin, Picpoul Noir, Vaccarese, and Terret Noir.
Many Bordeaux varietals in the region include: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Carmenère, Petit Verdot.
White Wine
Popular Bordeaux varietals are: Sauvignon, Sémillon, Muscadelle, Ugni blanc, Colombard and Merlot blanc.
Wine Facts
Organic wine. Artisan wine. Commercial wine.
The international blend of wine artisans working with grapes grown in unique habitats and ecosystems, in Ensenada, allows for the many creative types of wine found in Mexico’s new breed of high quality wines.
The total production from these artisan, boutique and bigger commercial wine makers is about two million cases per year with most being consumed by a national wine-loving community.
The future looks bright for Baja California wineries as the demand is stronger than the production.
Above this, several types of wine in the Ensenada wine country are getting international recognition.
Steve Dryden is a wine writer living in Valle de Guadalupe. He sells condo/hotel units for the Rosarito Beach Condo Hotel and can be reached at: sbdryden@hotmail.com
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