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It is at once the nation’s heritage grape—a survivor of the Gold Rush era—and its most misunderstood varietal. For decades, the market was dominated by monolithic, high-octane bottlings, often jammy and over-extracted, designed to appeal to a palate that equated
Yet, the core practice of professional tasting is not about pretension—it’s a structured method to fully understand and appreciate what’s in your glass. By learning the sommelier’s approach, you can unlock deeper enjoyment from every bottle. Here is a step-by-step