The United States is a huge country with incredible diversity. California is arguably the center of American wine and has the largest wine regions with the most accolades. Still, amazing wines can be found in expected places like Oregon, Washington, and New York and unexpected places like Texas, Virginia, Michigan, and Colorado. Virtually every state has a “wine region” where growers congregate and produce wine with indigenous or hybrid grapes.
What are the best wine regions in America?
The best wines in the country use Vitis Vinifera grape varieties on native grapevines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot are the most common, but the wine industry in America is comprehensive and using almost every variety imaginable for winemaking. Wine regions are divided into AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas), with the most famous being Sonoma and Napa Valley in California, the Willamette Valley in Oregon, the Columbia Valley in Washington, and the Finger Lakes region in New York. Many winemakers are influenced by international “Old World” styles from France, Spain, and Italy. Still, American wine production has also had a profound influence on the rest of the world.
What are the tasting notes of United States wine?
With so many wine grapes and wine styles (red wine, white wine, sweet wine, sparkling wine, and more), there is no set flavor profile for American wine. Even more specifically, the style is often determined by the vintners based on philosophy. An American Riesling can taste very different based on who is making it and where the grapes come from. In the New World, names can tell you a lot about the intention of the winemaker. Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape, but Syrahs will follow a French template, whereas Shiraz is distinctly New World. No matter what state you are in, there are likely wine producers. From Ohio to Idaho and beyond, you can find tasting rooms with wines worth exploring.
Want to learn more about wines from the United States?
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