Wines of America

                     Wines of America

USA is the fifth largest of the wines produced. When American wines are mentioned, one thinks of California. It is the major wine producing area of America. [90% of American wines are produced in California]. Other regions are Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The credit of wines industry goes to George Calvert Young, who planted the first vines

Classification of wines:

Generic wines: names are after the classic, old established European wines. Many North American and Australian wines are labeled after Claret, Burgundy, Chalibis, sauternes, graves, Hock, and Champagne.

Varietal wines: These are the wines that are named after the main grape variety in the bottle. Single variety is used to make the wine in the bottle. The California and the Australian wines are friendly because the producers have marketed the varietal concept of using on type of grapes in the wine and stating it firmly and clearly on the label.

Best known e.g. Zinfandel,

Chardonnay - white.

                           Grenache, 

                           Cabernet-red,

                           Sultana,

                           Sauvignon Vert,

                           Chardonnay - white.

The top quality wines of America are comparable to French AOC wines.

Proprietary wines: these are the best wines of California, most famous are:

Robert Mondavi

Wine laws of America:

AVA=                           Approved Vinicultural Areas of USA.

Estate bottled =          100% grapes from a single AVA estate or own  Vineyard.

Produced & bottled = 75% wine from winery; 25% purchased,

Made & bottled =      10-74% of winery and rest purchased,

Perfected & bottled =Bottler not made wine but purchased and blended.

Wines carrying the name, state, or country appellation must contain minimum of 75% of grapes from that country.

Wine regions of California:

 Mendocino county; in the north coast, the Anderson valley is a coolest region, most suitable for the growing wine. Louis Roederer, produce sparkling wine in the Methodé Champagné, using grapes of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.

Cabernet wine is produced in Redwood valley by Fetzer

Sonoma County: it has a wide variety of climate and grows a large variety of grapes; some of the top wines are produced from this area:

Wines from wineries like, Simi,

White wines of Château St. Jean,

Cabernet wine of Chalk hill,

Sparkling wines, from Iron House.

Napa Valley: Different types of climates, a wide range of wines are produced. The vineyards are situated on the hill sides and narrow valleys Robert Mondavi, is responsible for the wines of this region, of Californian wines.

The Central and South Coast: the important areas include Chalone, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Edna Valley, and Santa Ynez.

Most good wines include:

Cabernet by Ridge,

Pinot Noir by Calera,

Jug wine

White wines of Chalone and Jekel,

Pinot Noir of Edna Valley and Firestone,

Chardonnay of Zaca Mesa.

The central valley produces ‘Jug Wines’ [local wines] the famous ones are:
[Jug wine is a term in the United States for inexpensive table wine (or "bulk wine") typically bottled in a glass jug.]

Eg:    Spicy red, Alicante Bouschet by Angelo Papagni,

           Sweet Muscat called Essensia by Quady,

The Pacific North West: Oregon;

Californian wines are often high in alcohol and low in acidity, Oregon wines have the acidity needed for great wines, because of the cooler climate.

The grape verities used are: Pinot Noir,

                                               Gewürztraminer,

                                               Pinot Gris,

                                               Chardonnay

                                               Sauvignon Blanc,

                                               Riesling.

 The AVA’s [approved viticultural areas of USA] of Oregon are;

                                      Williamette Valley,

                                      Columbia Valley,

                                      Umpqua Valley

                                      Eyrie vineyards producing good Chardonnays.

Washington State; Depend on the Columbian river, vineyards are located on the east of Cascade Mountains in columbium basin.

The grape varieties are rich in sugar content and have high acid due to the climate being hot during the days and cold in the nights.

                                 Pinot Noir,

                                 Sauvignon Blanc,

                                 Cabernet Sauvignon,

                                 Riesling,

                                 Chardonnay,

                                 Chenin Blanc.

The AVA’s are; Walla Walla Valley,

                              Yakima Valley,

                              Columbia Valley, common for Oregon also

Idaho; smallest of the vineyards, situated in a high altitude, climate is continental, i.e. hot summers and cold winters.
Popular wines are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.

New York State: Climate similar to Germany, with hard cold winters and short hot summers. Known for its native wines, [vine plant is, Vitis Riparia]
Native North American Grapes

Vitis Riparia/Frost Grapes

Vitis Riparia Commonly, the Bermuda Vine, Frost Grape, June Grape,