The United States and its wines

The United States are one of the leading wine producers in the world, with viticulture stretching from California to the east coast, passing through emerging regions such asOregon, Washington, New York and Texas. With a wide range of climates, soils and production styles, the country offers structured reds, fresh and mineral whites, traditional method sparkling wines and top-flight sweet passito wines.

The California accounts for around 90% of American wine production, but other regions such as Oregon and Washington are making their name with wines of great quality, in particular for the Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. United States viticulture is governed by the system of American Viticultural Areas (AVA), the equivalent of the European DOCs.

What is the United States wine district?

The United States has more than 250 AVAs spread across several climate regions. Some of the most famous wine areas include:

• California → Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara.
• Oregon → Willamette Valley, celebrated for Pinot Noir.
• Washington → Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley.
• New York → Finger Lakes, Long Island.
• Texas → Texas Hill Country, High Plains.

The Great Wine Regions of the United States

1. California

• Main grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay.
• Style: Structured reds, fresh whites and traditional method sparkling wines.
• Famous appellations: Napa Valley AVA, Sonoma County AVA, Paso Robles AVA.

2. Oregon

• Main grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling.
• Style: Fresh, elegant wines, very close to the Burgundy style.
• Famous appellations: Willamette Valley AVA.

3. Washington

• Main grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
• Style: Intense reds and aromatic whites.
• Famous appellations: Columbia Valley AVA, Walla Walla AVA.

4. New York

• Main grape varieties: Riesling, Cabernet Franc.
• Style: Aromatic, mineral wines, perfect for the cold climate.
• Famous appellations: Finger Lakes AVA, Long Island AVA.

5. Texas and Other Emerging Regions

• Main grape varieties: Tempranillo, Viognier, Sangiovese.
• Style: Warm, spicy reds, aromatic whites.
• Famous appellations: Texas Hill Country AVA.

Characteristics of United States Wines

Colour

• Reds: Deep ruby red with purple highlights in the young wines, garnet in the older ones.
• Whites: Straw yellow with golden shades.
• Sparkling wines: Bright yellow with a fine, persistent perlage.

Aromas

• Fruity: Berries, cherry and plum in the reds; green apple, citrus and peach in the whites.
• Floral: White flowers in the Sauvignon Blanc, violet in the Pinot Noir.
• Spicy and Mineral: Vanilla and toast in wood-aged reds, flint in New York Rieslings.

Palate

• Structured and Powerful: In the Cabernet wines of Napa and the Syrah wines of Washington.
• Fresh and Mineral: In the Pinot Noir wines of Oregon and the Riesling wines of the Finger Lakes.
• Soft and Enveloping: In the Merlot wines of California and the Viognier wines of Texas.

Typical Grape Varieties of the United States

Black Grape Varieties

• Cabernet Sauvignon: The king of Napa Valley, intense and long-lived.
• Zinfandel: Unique to California, spicy and full-bodied.
• Pinot Noir: Elegant and silky, perfect for Oregon and California.
• Syrah: Powerful and spicy, typical of Washington and California.

White Grape Varieties

• Chardonnay: Rich and buttery in the Californian wines, fresh and mineral in the other states.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Aromatic and citrussy, perfect in the cooler areas.
• Riesling: Vibrant and mineral, typical of New York State.
• Viognier: Perfumed and velvety, perfect for Texas and California.

Why Choose a Wine from the United States?

A wine from the United States is a byword for innovation, quality and experimentation. Perfect alongside grilled meat, fish dishes, aged cheeses and international cooking, American wines offer a wide variety of styles and are among the most appreciated in the world.