W
hile the biggest news for the
wine industry in 2017 was
the devastating complex of
fires in California's Sonoma,
Napa and Mendocino counties, arguably the
best news was about a grape variety heavily
planted in all three of those regions. Caber-
net Sauvignon, long at the top of the sales
heap among red wines, reached even greater
heights this year as off-premise sales grew
nicely, DtC sales grew rapidly and deals
involving prime Cabernet Sauvignon brands
and vineyard sites made headlines.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
REIGNS AS KING
PLUS, THE HOTTEST TRENDS
AND TOP STORIES OF 2017
By Wines & Vines staff
THE BIGGEST
AND BEST OF
2017
December 2017 WINES&VINES 31
—continues on page 32 CRIMSON
WINE
GROUP