California wine is basically all about sunlight and softness; most European wines are all about clouds and crispness.
Though it's infinitely more complicated than this, these two statements could well sum up what separates California wines from those made on the northern European continent. It all comes down to what Mother Nature permits and how the wines historically play out with their nearby populaces.
The so-called continental climate that has been recognized for centuries in Northern Europe is based on less sun exposure on grapes than elsewhere. (The Alps are cold.) The closer vines are to the equator, the more sunlight and heat change winemaking's results.
Updated: Tue Oct 10, 2023