The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: Introduction to American Wine
This year my family started what I hope to be an annual tradition - a huge Holiday Party on the 26th! Being the wine lover that I am, I thought ... "Let's have a wine tasting during the party!" Everyone agreed, and quickly the wines were pulled. The theme came together instantly because every wine we pulled was from the United States, so check out the background below:
The History of Wine in the United States
Thomas Jefferson is my favorite founding father and a serious wine connoisseur (yes, I have a favorite founding father and its not weird). Jefferson began growing a massive wine collection as early as 1769, the collection included, 83 bottles of run, 15 bottles of Madeira (Portuguese wine made on island of Madeira), four bottles of Lisbon wine, and 54 bottles of cider. In fact, one of the first things he designed in his famous Monticello was the wine cellar. (It was 17 feet x 15 feet with a 10 feet high ceiling - not bad for the 18th century).
However, the United States was not known for quality wine making until very recently. Due to our unique history (Enter prohibition and World Wars!), Americans turned to soft drinks, milk and beer before wine. It was not until 1977, during the "Judgment of Paris" wine competition, when American wines were deemed not only comparable, but superior to French wines. One of most popular wines was the Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena, also a subject of the recent fictional movie Bottle Shock. Later, during the mid-1990s, wine was considered the second fastest growing beverage and the number of wineries grew to more than 2,338 across 47 states.
Wine Making Regions in the United States (and Canada!)
Generally.
The history of viticulture (science, study and production of grapes) is drastically different on the two American coasts. While wine making was first attempted on the east coast, most ventures ended in failure because the wine from the native grapes had a displeasing taste. Additionally, attempts to grow European vines on the east coast failed due to a disease later known as phylloxera. On the west coast, spanish explorers established a string of vineyards with native grapes from Spain (see history of the Mission grape) throughout their travels. Today, the most popular grapes in the United States include: chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, merlot and sauvignon blanc. Generally, American winemakers are free to make any style of wine they like because they are not regulated by the strict blending laws of Europe.
Reading a Wine Label from the United States.
By law the wine label must include:
California.
In the 1960s, Wealthy individuals came to northern California with a dream of making wine. Today, California is known for innovative wine making techniques and producing more than 90% of wine from the United States. The leading white wine is chardonnary, specifically those grown in cool regions. Other grapes that have been successful in California include: sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, zinfandel. The major wine regions include: napa valley, sonoma county, carneros, mendocino and lake county, the sierra foothills, livermore valley, the northern coast, and the middle and southern central coast (paso robles, etc.).
New York State.
With a colder growing season, New York is producing quality riesling with celebrated clarity, lightness and elegance. New York state is one of the most diversified wine regions in the U.S. The major wine regions include: Hudson River Valley, the Finger Lakes, Lake Erie and Long Island (quickly becoming well known for rose!).
Washington State.
Washington is known for growing quality merlots and cabernet sauvignons.
Oregon State.
Oregon is known for growing the most tempermental grape, pinot noir.
Wine is also made in:Texas, Virginia. Regions to watch: Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island (uh yes, apparently they make wine here - worth some researching!
This was a brief overview of wine making in the United States. Stay tuned for the results from our wine tasting.
Cheers!
The History of Wine in the United States
However, the United States was not known for quality wine making until very recently. Due to our unique history (Enter prohibition and World Wars!), Americans turned to soft drinks, milk and beer before wine. It was not until 1977, during the "Judgment of Paris" wine competition, when American wines were deemed not only comparable, but superior to French wines. One of most popular wines was the Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena, also a subject of the recent fictional movie Bottle Shock. Later, during the mid-1990s, wine was considered the second fastest growing beverage and the number of wineries grew to more than 2,338 across 47 states.
Wine Making Regions in the United States (and Canada!)
Generally.
The history of viticulture (science, study and production of grapes) is drastically different on the two American coasts. While wine making was first attempted on the east coast, most ventures ended in failure because the wine from the native grapes had a displeasing taste. Additionally, attempts to grow European vines on the east coast failed due to a disease later known as phylloxera. On the west coast, spanish explorers established a string of vineyards with native grapes from Spain (see history of the Mission grape) throughout their travels. Today, the most popular grapes in the United States include: chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, merlot and sauvignon blanc. Generally, American winemakers are free to make any style of wine they like because they are not regulated by the strict blending laws of Europe.
By law the wine label must include:
- The Winery Name
- Wine Region
- Grape Variety
- Name of Producer
- Percentage Alcohol by Volume
Other important laws require that:
- While rules may vary by state, any grape varietal named on the label must comprise at least 75% of the grapes in the wine (Oregon requires 90%).
- If a county/state is listed on the label, at least 75% of the wines from come from that county/state.
California.
In the 1960s, Wealthy individuals came to northern California with a dream of making wine. Today, California is known for innovative wine making techniques and producing more than 90% of wine from the United States. The leading white wine is chardonnary, specifically those grown in cool regions. Other grapes that have been successful in California include: sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, zinfandel. The major wine regions include: napa valley, sonoma county, carneros, mendocino and lake county, the sierra foothills, livermore valley, the northern coast, and the middle and southern central coast (paso robles, etc.).
New York State.
With a colder growing season, New York is producing quality riesling with celebrated clarity, lightness and elegance. New York state is one of the most diversified wine regions in the U.S. The major wine regions include: Hudson River Valley, the Finger Lakes, Lake Erie and Long Island (quickly becoming well known for rose!).
Washington State.
Washington is known for growing quality merlots and cabernet sauvignons.
Oregon State.
Oregon is known for growing the most tempermental grape, pinot noir.
Wine is also made in:Texas, Virginia. Regions to watch: Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island (uh yes, apparently they make wine here - worth some researching!
This was a brief overview of wine making in the United States. Stay tuned for the results from our wine tasting.
Cheers!