Dear Wine Geometrists,
Have you ever tried an American wine?
American wine has been produced for over 300 years. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 90 percent of it. The US is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world after France, Italy and Spain.
Production wasn't so simple historically. After the Prohibition of the 1920s, operators tried to revive the American wine making industry, which was nearly ended. Many talented winemakers had died, vineyards had been neglected, and Prohibition had changed Americans' taste in wines.
But long research on new production techniques by universities helped Americans know which varieties of grapes grew best in which regions; they held seminars on winemaking techniques, consulted with grape growers and winemakers, offered academic degrees in viticulture, and promoted the production of quality wines. In the 1970s and 1980s, success by Californian winemakers in the northern part of the state helped to secure foreign investment from other winemaking regions.
Americans became more educated about wines and increased their demand for high-quality wine. By 2004, 25.3 million hectoliters of wine were consumed in the United States.
Appellation system
With the quality of wines growing fast in the 70s and 80s, Americans decided to structure their wine regions into labels, as the French did earlier. The early American appellation system used to be based on the political boundaries of states and counties, but in 1978 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms developed regulations to establish American Viticultural Areas (AVA) based on distinct climate and geographical features.
In order to have an AVA appear on a wine label, at least 85% of the grapes used to produce the wine must be grown in the AVA.
Largest producers
E & J Gallo Winery - Accounts for more than a quarter of all U.S. wine sales and is the second largest producer in the world.
Constellation Brands - With foreign wine holdings Constellation is the largest producer in the world and includes Robert Mondavi Winery and Columbia Winery in its portfolio
So which wines to buy from the US?
Here's a list made by the journal The Independent, which ranks the top 10 American wines. It can be a good indicator for you when you are choosing next time!
1. Beringer California Cabernet Sauvignon 2012: 24.95 SGD, https://coldstorage.com.sg/search?q=beringer
A wealth of blackberry and cherry flavours plus a layering of oak in a smooth and rich offering from the US’s oldest continuously operating winery, in California’s Napa Valley.
2. Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2012: £18.99, waitrose.com
Push the boat out with this intense Chardonnay from Monterey County on California’s central coast. Lots of strong fruit flavours including melon and apple in a wine which was fermented in stainless-steel tanks.
3. A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris 2013: £12.49, ministryofdrinks.co.uk
This offering is from a recently founded Oregon winery and has an abundance of tropical fruit flavours with a pleasing acidity and a balanced finish. Goes well with fish or blue cheese.
4. Boom Boom Washington State Syrah 2013: £14.95, slurp.co.uk
Nothing to do with Basil Brush, this offering comes from Charles Smith, who spent 11 years managing rock bands. Rich and explosive with a spicy, tobacco-like aroma, this should be the choice of any civilised headbanger.
5. M Signature Zinfandel 2012: £6.49, groceries.morrisons.com
A variety of grape originally from Croatia, Zinfandel has blossomed in California, where it produces rather over-sweet roses and splendid red wines such as this offering with a velvety cherry and plum flavours and spicy finish.
6. Rex Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011: £24.96, amazon.co.uk
This classic wine from Oregon has an earthy aroma loaded with blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries and plums. Drinks well now but if you can wait five or even 10 years, you’ll be rewarded with an even more complex finish.
7. Vino Pinot Grigio 2012: £9.99, majestic.co.uk
A fresh Italian-inspired wine from Washington state’s Charles Smith with a guava-like base and lashings of lychees and passion fruit and a hint of new-mown hay. He recommends pairing this with oysters, grilled halibut or seared scallops with wilted leeks.
8. Rockus Bockus 2013: £13 in-store or £78 for six, marksandspencer.com
From California’s Sonoma County comes a modern-day incarnation of Bacchus, the god of wine, who in this case turns out to be a vibrant and full-bodied red. Bold, juicy and fresh, it goes down a treat with steak and chips.
9. Turner Road Cabernet Merlot 2012: £5, groceries.asda.com
Silky and smooth with a taste of blueberries, plums and blackcurrants and soft tannins, this Californian wine provides a delightful accompaniment to a Sunday roast or after-dinner cheese.
10. Schug Carneros Chardonnay 2012: £17, marksandspencer.com
A rich and full-bodied Chardonnay from cool-climate vineyards in California’s Carneros region, this is an elite cuvée created exclusively for M&S. Honeyed notes with hints of pears and guava.
Verdict:
Whether it’s the intense and fruity Morgan Metallico Chardonnay 2012 from California or the sumptuous Rex Hill Pinot Noir, there’s a whole range of subtle and fresh flavours here. Try Rockus Bockus for something bold and juicy or the Boom Boom! Syrah for a rich and spicy treat. The best-value pick is the velvety cherry and plum M Signature Zinfandel.
