Wine has been produced in the United States for more than 300 years. In fact, winemaking was an official goal laid out in the founding charters in the colonies of Virginia and the Carolinas. The American winemaking industry was in shambles after the repeal of Prohibition, but experienced a major turnaround in the 1970s and 1980s, led by California winemakers.
Today, there is at least one winery in each of the 50 states, with more than 3,000 commercial wineries nationwide. The United States is the fourth largest wine producing country in the world behind France, Italy and Spain, with 89 percent of that production coming from California. Of the remaining 11 percent, approximately two thirds come from New York and Washington.
In honor of Independence Day, we’d like to offer a small sampling of our favorite wines of the United States.
2010 Brack Mountain Wine Company Bench Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
From the winemaker: The 2010 vintage was one of the coolest growing seasons in decades, with low yields that resulted in excellent fruit quality. The color is a well-extracted deep magenta. The nose suggests morning dew on blackberries with notes of hazelnut and tangerine peel. The flavors are of rich, loamy earth, then the fruit notes of blackberries, wild strawberry and pomegranate, finished with clove and allspice.
2010 Brack Mountain Winery L'Oliveto Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Russian River Valley Sonoma County
From the winemaker: From one of the oldest vineyards in the Russian River Valley, the chemistry of the fruit from these old vines is amazing, with acidities that match those of Chablis in nearly every vintage. This Chardonnay has a classic straw hue. The nose offers complex notes of mineral, pear and citrus that evolve into a “baked pie crust” finish. The mouthfeel is viscous and balanced by excellent acidity, with a long finish.
2009 Charles Smith Wines K Vintners Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
From the winemaker: This wine was produced at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla, WA in the year when K Vintners was named Winemaker of the Year by
Food & Wine at the American Wine Awards. Savory and supple, flavors of cassis, dark berries and pipe tobacco coat the palate, with hints of bacon and star anise, for a long and satisfying finish.
2010 Joseph Carr Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast
From the winemaker: This wine reflects the unique terroir of the Napa Valley and is traditionally blended with Cabernet Franc and, at times, Petit Verdot. Displaying a deep purple hue, this wine has great clarity for wine that is traditionally unfiltered. The bouquet offers scents of ripe black currant, smoke and saddle. Flavors include dark cherry and ripe plum with a hint of vanilla and cocoa dust. Firm, but approachable tannin structure accents a balanced and long finish.
2008 D Cubed Cellars Zinfandel Napa Valley
From the winemaker: Four vineyards from different parts of Napa Valley all contribute to making this tasty, balanced and classic Napa Valley Zinfandel. It has blackberry and cherry fruit with hits of nutmeg black pepper and cigar box. This medium bodied zinfandel has wonderful balance of acid, tannins and alcohol and flavors of berries, spice and Herbs de Provence. This Zinfandel is lovely now, and will really shine with a little more age.
2009 Mercer Wine Estates Riesling Yakima Valley
From the winemaker: Delicate aromas of peach, apricot and beeswax in the nose are confirmed on the palate, along with a mouthwatering acidic frame, revealing a hint of sweetness. Well-balanced of acid and residual sugar, this dryer style Riesling is a refreshing aperitif or a delicious companion to crab cakes, blue cheese and spicy foods.
