The United States: California and beyond!

California Wine Map
    • California: Like Italy or France there have been hundreds of books, each consisting of hundreds of pages. We will do our best to bring your attention to some of our favorite appelations and the varieties that they grow.
      • The history of wine in this country actually extends back to the 19th century, but the growth of the industry was stunted by the implementation of prohibition in the early 20th (insert angry fist shake here). Having said that the industry made a tremendous comeback following its repeal. California wine was really put back on the map in the 1970s, thanks to the judgment of Paris, the head to head tasting ocalifornia wines with their old world counterparts. The incident is immortalized in the book and movie Bottle Shock (the movie leaves much to be desired but is worth it just to see Alan Rickman chew the scenery *sigh*).
    • Grapes that are happy here:
      • What isn't happy in California? As in people as in grapes, there really aren't too many international varieties that don't thrive here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Shiraz,  Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio etc etc
    • Regions
      • Napa: Hotbed for Bordeaux style blends, luscious Zinfandels, the ubiquitous buttery Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs. Love Ovid for their Bordeaux style blends (well worth the price), Turley for their Zinfandels, Kistler for their Chardonnays. Most of them are only available in restaurants and are on the spendier side, but darn are they delicious.
      • Sonoma: A cooler climate makes for lighter wines: Pinot Noirs are amazing here, Dry Creek Valley makes some terrific Zins, and Peter Michaels Chardonnays are out of this world.
      • Santa Barbara: Au Bon Climat creates positively Burgundian Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Qupe's Syrah is to die for year in and year out.
      • Paso Robles: Zinfandels and Rhone varieties rock here! Tablas Creek is one of our favorite producers for red and white blends from the region.
    • New York State:
      • Finger Lakes: Famous for their ever improving Rieslings!
      • Long Island: Channing Daughters does some extraordinary work on the South Fork: wacky varieties (Blaufrankisch and Muscat Ottonel, anyone?), barrel fermentation on their chards and all over awesome people. 
Oregon Washington Wine MapOregon: The new world's answer to Burgundy. Oregonian Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are polished and pretty, with just enough new world fruit to make them unique. fave producers: Illahe, Belle Pente (who are biodynamic to boot!), Cooper Mountain.
  • Washington: Old world elegance and new world flavor profiles make Washington wines super enjoyable to drink. Bordelaise varieties and Syrahs rock! Favorite producers: Cadence, Andrew Will.
  • New Mexico: OK, not a super well known region as wine goes, but they are producers of arguably of one of America's finest sparkling wine, Gruet. Yes, we are suckers for the bubbles....sue us!

 

"map courtesy of Champagne Taste Blog"