Wines of USA
Vines were first cultivated in the United States in the 15th century with the arrival of immigrants from Europe. Vitis vinifera, the vines imported from the Old World, struggled with Phylloxera so the early vignerons grew varieties that were native to America which had immunity to this pest. Even the third American president, Thomas Jefferson, who was a wine connoisseur, was among those who tried his hand at cultivating grapes! Vineyards appeared all over the country and, with careful vineyard techniques, Vitis vinifera eventually adapted, especially in warm, dry climates.
Memorably, in 1976, Californian wines beat top counterparts from France in a special tasting event called ‘The Judgement of Paris’. This triumph gained worldwide esteem for Californian wine in particular and American wine in general. Today, the United States has wine production in just about every state.
The United States is a huge country with a corresponding array of terrains. The nation is home to mountains, valleys, deserts, and plains. In terms of climate, it encompasses the three types classified for winemaking: Mediterranean (like Greece), Maritime (like Bordeaux), and Continental (like Germany). As such, this diversity is reflected in a vast variety of red, white, rosé, sparkling, fortified, and dessert wines available in styles that range from everyday table wines to top award winners. With its ideal climate and variety of terrains, California produces most of the country’s wines and is famed for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Oregon, to the north, is renowned for first-rate Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris while Washington is home to world-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. In the east of the country, the Finger Lakes in New York State has a fine reputation for Riesling and wines made from indigenous varieties.
The United States’ wine quality tier system is known as the American Viticultural Area (AVA). An AVA can be a tiny, defined area or a vast part of an entire state. Wines that don’t qualify for AVA status are usually labeled by region.