About US Wine

About US Wine
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

Weis Vineyards 2018 Ice Wine Riesling
97 points
$89
Beautiful complexity of flavor with light florals and minerality as counterpoints to its pronounced stone fruit, orchard fruit, and tropical citrus tones; this is world class Eiswein.
Awards: '2024 New York Wine Classic - Best Dessert Wine' 2024 New York Wine Classic - Governor's Cup Winner - Best Wine
Mira Winery 2012 Schweizer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
97 points
$650
Calls to mind some of the top Napa Cabs from the 1980's, does all of the right Napa things without going too far with the ripe fruit and barrels; quite special.
Weis Vineyards NV One Eighty Three Dessert Wine Finger Lakes
97 points
$39
A remarkably rich, delicious, and warming American fortified wine with Old World nuances that add complexity and delight; definitely a benchmark for domestic port style wine that tastes like a true vintage port.
Awards: 2023 New York Wine Classic - Best Fortified (Port-Like)
Vineyard {511} 2013  Cabernet Sauvignon
96 points
$159
With mountain fruit that is purely delightful, this is just beginning to show some maturity but has a very long life ahead.
Jarvis 2018 Estate Petit Verdot
96 points
$230
A black fruit backbone with dashes of green herbs and a whole field of purple flowers; this is exactly what Petit Verdot is supposed to be.
Braganini 2020 Reserve Cabernet Franc
96 points
$26
Outside of Chinon, one of the best examples of Cab Franc encountered in quite some time.
Awards: '2023 Michigan Governor's Cup - Best Vinifera Red Wine' 2023 Michigan Governor's Cup - Governor's Case Best Red 2023 Michigan Governor's Cup - Governor's Cup Winner
H/H Estates 2012 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Michael Andrews Reserve Red Blend Horse Heaven Hills
96 points
$56
A round, mature Gran-Reserva-Roija-like red that will be stellar with a meaty meal or on its own.
Lawer Estates 2018 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon
96 points
$115
A serious Cabernet that showed up in an expensive suit ready for business.
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard Merlot
95 points
$75
An absolute delight; a fully ripe to the edge of brooding, red and black fruit loaded Merlot with just the right amount of oak.
Vineyard {511} 2014  Cabernet Sauvignon
95 points
$159
A beautiful wine today with the rich oak character leaning towards dessert and the capacity to age for decades as it slowly shows more of its savory side.