California Wines (USA) California, larger in land mass than Italy, and longer in miles, produces the whole gamut of wines from traditional method sparkling to Port-types. In general, the finest sparkling and still wines come from regions it calls North and Central Coast. In a difficult market, these wines flourish best though they range from moderately to quite expensive. The Central Valley is California's source of everyday still wines, dessert wines, and flavoured types, all three of which are losing ground in the market. Vintages are important only in the coastal regions. Of recent vintages, 1991 was by far the coolest, slowest-ripening, with some wineries only beginning their harvests at about the time they expect to be nearing the end. In spite of its length, the harvest season saw benign weather throughout. North Coast Cabernet Sauvignons, in particular, show the kind of muted but deep flavours and bracing acidities found more often in north European climates. Pinot Noir also succeeded superbly in the North Coast, very well indeed in the Central Coast. Whites were good, but less outstanding.Though not a hot growing season, 1992 was warmer and substantially faster to ripen than its forerunner. The season suited Chardonnay better than any other grape variety, and whites in general better than reds. Though the latter are sound and agreeable, they lack the focus and depth of flavour of excellent to superior years. In yet another moderately warm year with benign harvest weather, 1993 Central Coast Pinot Noirs show every sign of being that region's supreme success in the 1990s to date. The best of them may become the greatest wines of the vintage in California. Following the 1993 harvest, growers in the North Coast removed the largest acreage of vines to date due to the depredations of phylloxera. Napa approaches the half-way point in its anticipated loss and replanting of 15,000 acres (out of 30,000); facing similar totals, Sonoma has reached only the quarter point. Analysts expect shortages of wine in both regions through the next three to five years.