California’s unique climate, with its coastal vineyards and overnight mists that rest the vines, is an ideal place to make wine. This is home to both the massive Gallo wineries and also to many tiny micro-wineries operated by quality-obsessed individuals determined to make the best wine possible. In between, there are many excellent quality producers making good wines that are simply a pleasure to drink. Try a taste of this selection.

The Californian rich reds case costs £97 and includes three bottles each of the following four wines.

Wildwood Shiraz 2007, Lodi: This tasty shiraz is made using only the ripest grapes from the Lodi region to produce an intense purple wine with sumptuous blackcurrant fruit and hints of mint.

Winston Hill Zinfandel 2007, Central Valley: Zinfandel is California’s signature grape variety with its trademark juicy berry fruit. Here you will find delicious hints of dark chocolate and spicy plum flavours.

EOS Petite Sirah 2004, Paso Robles: Petite sirah is the American name for the durif grape variety that here produces mouth-watering deep dark rich fruit with flavours of raspberry, blackberry and hints of spice.

Scotto Old Vine Zinfandel 2007, Lodi: Old vines produce high-quality fruit which is clearly evident in this excellent zinfandel made by the Scotto family vineyards. The wine has complex rich fruit flavours of cassis, plum, chocolate and spice — delicious!

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The Oxford Times Wine Club is run in association with The Oxford Wine Company. Free delivery of your wine is available within 30 miles of Oxford. Please allow up to ten working days for delivery of your wine. If you have any questions about your order, contact The Oxford Wine Company on 01865 301144 quoting The Oxford Times Wine Club or email: info@oxfordwine.co.uk

If you would like to buy unmixed or mixed cases of wines that you have particularly liked from The Oxford Times Wine Club at the same special discounted prices, please contact Theo Sloot at The Oxford Wine Company on 01865 301144 or email theo@oxfordwine.co.uk