Palate Expander
The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes showcases California's grape diversity
Having orbited the wine world for the past several years, I’ve become somewhat fluent in the grapes that make up some of my favorite wines. Before all the books, index cards, maps, and tests, though, my sheltered palate couldn’t tell the difference between a Rousanne and a Riesling, or a Cabernet from a Carignan. One of the great joys of being a student of wine, for me, isn’t the credential, but the expansion of a language and the development of a trained palate.
Luckily, there are other, more inexpensive ways to get a foothold on the variety of grapes that make some of your (and my) favorite wines: The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.
To be clear, this festival isn’t about never-before-sipped grapes, but an event highlighting some of the unsung heroes, the oft-overlooked, and seemingly obscure wines you are less likely to encounter on menus across the city.
There are thousands of grape varieties worldwide, and more than 110 are planted right here in California. And while there is always room for the celebrity grapes in my wine fridge (93% of the vines planted in California are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio on the white grape side, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petit Sirah), the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes celebrates the other 7% of California-planted grapes that always please my palate, including Tannat, Aglianico, Touriga Nacionale, Marsanne, Counoise, and so many more.
Each year, festival founders Allison Levine and Eva Crawford host more than 60 California-based wine producers in two different cities (Los Angeles and San Jose) to shine a light on these gorgeous grapes and the absolutely fantastic wines they make. The VIP experience includes an in-depth discussion with a California winemaker about the trends shaping the industry, from policy to climate change, followed by early access to the tasting arena, where attendees explore the unique flavor profiles from many of the regions in the state. VIP attendees also receive a booklet with deep discounts on winery visits and tasting room experiences. All attendees receive a commemorative wine glass, information about each producer, and how to order the bottles they love most. Many of the participating wineries produce fewer than 1,500 cases, with some lots as small as 25 cases. The festival offers these smaller producers access to new and returning customers, as much of their success depends on direct-to-consumer sales.
In the festival’s second year, it was named the #2 Wine Festival in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and its reach and impact continue to expand. At a time when the wine industry is up against the ropes amid shifts in climate, politics, and consumption trends, The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is ensuring more people are exposed to these wines and the hands that craft them.
If you’re a student of wine, a sommelier, or simply in possession of a curious palate, be sure to sign up for the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes mailing list for early updates and special offers for next year’s event. In the meantime, during your next wine store run, be sure to grab something you’ve never had before - you’ll likely be rewarded with something extraordinarily delicious.
Learn more about The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes here.