American wine is now very popular almost all over the world. At the moment, almost all fifty states are engaged in the production of this alcoholic beverage. California plays a key role in the winemaking of the United States, it is there that most of all wines are produced, namely ninety percent.
In addition, Oregon and Washington are also famous for their products. The Americans themselves are now addicted to wines from New York.
How did wine appear in the USA
A noble drink was brought here by a Catholic priest. Wine production began in North America. As early as 1779, in California, the first vineyards were planted by a Franciscan missionary, the father of Junipero Serra. By 1805, he reached Sonoma. He has twenty-one Catholic missions on his account, and none of them did without the production of an alcoholic beverage.
America also owes California its first commercial vineyard. Its owner was the Frenchman Jean-Louis Vinh. Now there are only memories of this vineyard, because now in its place is a large business center.
History tour
In the late forties of the XIX century, California became the "Golden State", since a large deposit of valuable metal was found there. Naturally, the population here has increased markedly. Earth mastered with incredible speed. Seedlings of magic berries began to be actively imported from Europe. And by the middle of the nineteenth century there were more than one hundred thousand pieces. The wineries grew like mushrooms after the rain. In the Napa Valley alone, over twenty years, they formed one hundred and forty pieces.
One hundred million liters of wine per year is a figure worthy of respect. And that is how much California produced in 1890. There was enough production both for the local market and for export to Europe.
Hard time for winemaking
Happy time did not last long. A wave of phylloxera swept around the world (this is a bug that destroys the roots of grapes). After such an invasion, the number of vines was reduced by six times. There were 6,700 ha of vineyards, and 1,200 ha remained.
But that is not all. In 1919, the Prohibition Act was passed in the United States; this could not positively affect the production of American wine. The law was repealed in 1933, but after it came the Great Depression and World War II.
The steep climb
Only in the fifties did the industry again gain good momentum. America began to produce about five hundred million liters a year. In the sixties, winemaking experienced a significant rise. And there was something interesting. Wine and winemaking in the United States owe their growth to Russian immigrant Andrei Chelishchev. It was he who taught wine science to local craftsmen.
In 1976, the incredible happened. At a Paris wine tasting, the United States (Cabernet and Chardonnay) took higher positions than the premier Cru from Bordeaux. French winemakers were very unpleasantly surprised. Of course, such a success opened up new prospects for American wines.
Wine Legislation of America
On the first day of 1983, the American Wine Area (AVA) system was adopted. There are now more than 135 official wine regions in the United States, 80 of which are located in California. The wine industry is controlled by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Weapons.
Now, according to American law, if the grape variety is indicated on the label, then the wine must consist of these berries at least 75%.
Also, the manufacturer can indicate the name of the state on the label, this will mean that 100% of the grapes were harvested in this area. If the district is indicated, then 75% of the berries should be picked there, and if AVA - then 85%.
Another important point: American wines are classified as table wines, so they cannot be millesimous. That is, the label cannot indicate the year of harvest.
Grape varieties
No matter where American wine is produced, French grape varieties are mainly cultivated in all wine regions. Reds: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Colombard. It produces dry, dessert and sparkling wines.
But the pearl is considered red American wine "Zinfandel", which is made from the same variety. There is a white “White Zinfandel”, but its popularity is not so high.
An international wine contest is held annually in San Francisco, more than ten thousand people gather each time for a tasting of Zinfandel.
Exclusive America
It is interesting that even the Americans themselves are not aware of where this variety came from. More recently, it became known that in Northern Italy and Croatia, the closest relative of Zinfandeli, Primitive, “lives”. Of course, many began to puke about the fact that all American winemaking is built on a primitive. But the point is far from that.
No one ever knew when the variety was called Zinfandel and how it got to America. The main thing is that this variety is quite hardy, thanks to this it was able to overcome the path from the eastern part of the continent to the northern. It was from the east that the inhabitants of modern California came to this grape land. They brought with themselves strange vines, giving such a rich harvest.
What is an exclusive variety? There is a grape that takes root in any country and gives approximately the same results. Such species include Cabernet and Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon, Syrah and Muscat. But the countries of the New World have their own varieties that do not grow in other countries, and if they grow, then no wines are obtained from them. And only in a certain area the exclusive variety gives incredible original wines. So, for example, in Argentina it is Malbec, in Chile - Karminer, in South Africa - Pinotage, and in the USA - Zinfandel.
Zinfandel Features
This variety is called truly American. It is incredibly multifaceted. From it you can make simple everyday wine that is available to every consumer. The most expensive exquisite American wines that only very wealthy people can afford can be made from the same variety. Zinfandel stubbornly resists almost all diseases, so the vines that are almost a hundred years old have survived to this day, moreover, from the berries they still produce a noble drink. Harvest from such vines is not so great, but the wine is excellent. It has such a rich deep taste that it can compete with many French Chateau.
It is worth noting that, in principle, it is impossible to make bad wine from Zinfandel. To make it watery, it can probably only be specially diluted. The content of its natural sugar is high enough, and under the hot sun of California it becomes even more. If in the manufacture of wine using special yeast that is resistant to high alcohol content, you can get dry wine with a strength of 16%. One can only imagine how tannic, full-bodied and bright taste this drink will have.
The best American wines
- "Zinfandel" is used not only as a varietal wine, it is also used in blending. Most often it is mixed with varieties that are not so popular here. For lovers of the so-called field blends, the real discovery will be Karma Zin Russian River by Carol Shelton. This drink has an interesting taste and an incredible varietal bouquet. By the way, Carol Shelton is a female winemaker who is among the top five.
- For those who like serious, expensive wines, Murrieta's Well from Wente is a great option. This wine has an interesting legend. It is named after Joaquin Murieta, who is considered Robin Hood from El Dorado. He stole horses from the rich and gave them to the poor. Near the vineyard there is a well from which Joaquin watered horses.
- Fans of sweet strong alcoholic drinks will not remain deprived. They should pay attention to the wines of the company Rutherfird Hill. But here you have to fork out well. A quality vintage port will cost less than a fortified Zinfandel.
When it comes to American wine from dandelions, most often they talk not about the drink, but about the famous novel by science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. Although such a drink exists, it is not very popular.
Pineapple wine
Homemade wines are rarely made in America. But there is one interesting drink called pineapple wine. This fruit is quite suitable for winemaking. It contains a lot of citric acid, and this will ensure long storage of the drink, and, moreover, pineapple is practically not affected by diseases and mold. And thanks to ascorbic acid, the drink has a beautiful bright color, which does not change with time.
Sugar, of course, is not so much, but it can be added. Then the wine will be stronger and more stable. Yes and wine yeast is better not to disdain. This drink will be enjoyed by the whole family. Of course, it is worth remembering that pregnant women should not give alcohol, but for children in general a taboo. You can not only harm your baby, but also incur criminal liability.