The 2020 vintage was, quite simply, a disaster for California wine. But until recently, quantifying just how badly the fires affected harvest has been difficult. The wine industry is understandably touchy when it comes to communicating what is perceived to be bad news about a vintage...
Smoke taint – US lawyers' view
Monday 13 September 2021
Last year's California wine production was severely shrunk by the effects of the 2020 wildfires, but by how much? And what are the long-term effects on grower–winery relations? See also Smoke taint – a winemaker's view, Smoke taint – the Australian consumers' view and Smoke taint – the view from Oregon.
Become a member or log in to continue reading
Go for gold with your wine knowledge.
The world just came together in Italy – and there’s never been a better time to explore its wines and beyond.
For a limited time, get 20% off all annual memberships by entering promo code GOLD2026 at checkout. Offer ends 12 March. Valid for new members only.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 290,073 wine reviews & 15,930 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 290,073 wine reviews & 15,930 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 290,073 wine reviews & 15,930 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 290,073 wine reviews & 15,930 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Alder on America
Alder on America
This new AVA delivers on cool-climate wines – and excellent value for money. Above, the Derbyshire Vineyard, the Pacific Ocean...
Alder on America
A little corner of Germany and Austria in Lodi (photo of Mokelumne Glen Vineyard by Randy Caparoso).
Psychologists analysing paratroopers...
Alder on America
US wine labelling rules look set to follow those in the EU – at some point. Alder examines the complicated...
Alder on America
The US wine industry eyes up the prospect of a recession (although at least they have a nice strong currency)...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Don't quote me
A short month in London with just one sortie, to Barcelona for 48 hours. Nick took this picture of Jancis...
Nick on restaurants
The Australian chef who used to be in charge of Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in London now has one of...
Free for all
An overview of the 2016s tasted at 10 years old. See tasting articles on right-bank reds and sweet whites and...
Wines of the week
Two wines to conjure up spring. Flower Girl Albariño 2025 from €20.95, $25.65, £23.95 and Big Flower Cabernet Franc 2024...
Tasting articles
Impressions from the most recent Ten Years On tastings held by Bordeaux Index and Farr Vintners. See this report on...
Tasting articles
The first of three articles about this lauded vintage. See this guide to our comprehensive coverage of Bordeaux 2016. This...
Mission Blind Tasting
The power of scent, and how to harness it to figure out what’s in your glass. In last week’s MBT...
Don't quote me
Chris Howard contemplates the precarious balance of water, weather and vines in France’s Languedoc. Late summer sun beats down on...