About Dessert Wines from USA

About Dessert Wines from USA
The United States is one of the most important players in the wine industry. On sheer numbers alone, the US is the fourth largest country in terms of total production; but it is the outstanding quality of wines from the US that is an additional part of its worldwide prestige. While the first wines produced in the colonies date back to the late 18th century, it has only been since the mid-1960s that the US has entered the premium wine market on a large scale. California, especially Napa Valley and Sonoma County were the areas that drove the new quality movement. Other areas in California also were home to great wines; soon Washington and Oregon were home to first-class wines as well. New York State, especially the Finger Lakes are was rediscovered for its Rieslings and soon wineries started opening in states such as Texas, Virginia and North Carolina. Today, 90% of domestic premium wine is produced in California and there are several wine types that share the spotlight; these include Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, Pinot Noir from Sonoma's Russian River Valley as well as Santa Barbara County and Chardonnay from several regions, such as Monterey and Sonoma County. Bordeaux-styles reds from Washington State have received great acclaim as have Oregon Pinot Noirs. Today, the United States is in an enviable position of being one of the largest producers of wine as well as one of the most celebrated.

Top Picks for USA

Dessert Wines

Weis Vineyards 2024 Ice Wine Riesling
97 points
$59
A textbook Riesling ice wine, world class with a seemingly endless finish; this is a serious food wine as a foil for decadent savory food and delivers way above and beyond being simply called a dessert wine.
Awards: '2026 New York Wine Classic - Best Dessert Wine' 2026 New York Wine Classic - Best Ice Wine (frozen on the vine)
Casa Larga Vineyards 2025 Fiori Delle Stelle Ice Wine Cabernet Franc
94 points
$87
Cherries galore with a hint of savory dried herbs, wildflower honey and sun dried heirloom tomatoes,the decadent fruit and electric acidity in this ice wine are sweet and savory at the same time.
Johnson Estate NV Methode Champenoise Sparkling Ice Wine Lake Erie
94 points
$69
Crisp, clean with and packed with zippy red fruit, a natural at the end of a meal, even more exciting as a foil to cheese and charcuterie.
Casa Larga Vineyards 2025 Fiori Delle Stelle Blanc Ice Wine Vidal
93 points
$87
A floral ice wine with notes of Belgian ale yeast, candied pear and potpourri.
Frost Bitten 2023 Ice Riesling
93 points
$15
Best Buy
A vibrantly delicious, lighter, Auslese-style ice wine with lavish honeyed fruit wrapped in a sleek satiny palate.
93 points $15 Best Buy
Johnson Estate 2023 Ice Wine Vidal Blanc
92 points
$49
A delightfully thick and rich ice wine with bright balancing acidity and a delicate savory umami note; this will be great with cheeses.
Weis Vineyards 2024 Winzer Select Edel Süss Riesling
91 points
$39
Crushed white flowers, peaches and sweet citrus drive this fun Riesling for sipping, cheese courses and light dessert pairing.
Chateau Chantal 2024 Late Harvest Riesling
90 points
$20
A very tasty late harvest Riesling with clean, pure flavors and a snappy honeyed finish; this will be great with cheeses and spicy Thai dishes.
Bright Leaf Vineyard NV Estate Ice Wine Riesling
90 points
$29
Treat yourself to this rare find as a perfect foil to cheese, savory dumplings or charcuterie and as a decadent liquid dessert.
Wine Sisterhood 2024 Golden Petal White Moscato
90 points
$25
A very flavorful balanced off-dry Moscato that is sure to please.