Wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the United States. "The American wine market was worth an estimated worth $78.3 billion, a 17% increase from the previous year," according to winesvinesanalytics.com and it continues to grow yearly. With so many wineries across the country, it's tricky to know where you can find some of the best wines.
While almost anywhere with warm weather will do for grape cultivation, certain regions are particularly well-suited to growing high-quality grapes. These tend to be placed with specific types of soil or terrain that support vine growth and areas with plenty of natural rainfall and other favourable climate conditions. If you're interested in sampling some of the best winery and vineyard in America, here are five locations we recommend.
California
California is one of the most important and globally recognized wine-producing regions in the world, so it should be no surprise that several of the best American wines are made there. The state is responsible for around 90% of all wine made in the United States, so it's no small feat to produce the best wine in a place saturated with winemakers.
California's two main wine-growing regions are the Central Valley and the more coastal and northern regions near the San Francisco Bay area and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Within these two major regions, several smaller AVAs exist and produce unique and diverse styles of wine.
Washington State
Washington State is another major American wine-producing region that produces some of the best wines in the country. The climate of this state is generally wet and cool, with rainfall occurring near-constantly all year long. This, combined with the sandy and clay soils common in the state, create excellent growing conditions for grape vines.
Major grape varieties in Washington State that produce some of the best wines in the country include Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. If you want to try some of the best American wines from this state, look for bottles labelled with these or other common grape varieties.
Texas
The Texas wine industry has grown by an average of 16% yearly since 2002, and experts expect this growth to continue. The main regions for grape cultivation in Texas are the Texas High Plains and the Texas Hill Country. These two distinct regions are similar in that they are located within the state's central part and have warm, dry climates.
However, they are also different in several ways, such as soil composition and growing season length. Grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay are most commonly grown in the Texas High Plains, while varieties such as Malbec and Zinfandel are more commonly grown in the Texas Hill Country. There are plenty of excellent Texas wines to try in whatever region you're in.
New York
New York's wine-growing history is almost as old as California's, but this East Coast state has traditionally flown under the radar regarding winemaking. However, in recent years, New York has seen a resurgence in wine production, and some of these new wineries are producing some truly high-quality wines.
New York's winemaking regions are primarily located in the state's southern and eastern regions, with most vineyards located in the Hudson Valley. The soil in this region is particularly unique compared to other American winemaking regions, as it is high in iron, which provides grapes with the needed iron content for healthy growth. The iron also positively affects the wine's flavour, creating a slightly tannic, mineral-y taste.
Oregon
Most of Oregon's winemaking areas are located in the state's southern parts. The most important grape varieties are Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, though the state is also known for producing Riesling and other cool-climate grapes. If you're interested in trying some of the best wines produced in Oregon, look for bottles made with one of these three varieties.
When it comes to producing great wines, the United States is a diverse and varied place with many unique winemaking regions and styles. If you want to impress guests and make a lasting impression this holiday season, consider bringing some of these amazing wines to your next party.
A bottle of high-quality wine is the perfect host gift and will last for years. Since these are some of the best wines in the country, they'll be sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
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