Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena, vintage C 1973, and Cabernet Sauvignon Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Vintage 1973 won the highest marks, and this changed the whole perception of Californian wines. The documentary 'Bottle Shock' tells the story of this very well.
USA is categorised as a New World wine producer, despite the fact that historically grape vines have been growing on the continentsince 1000 BCE, and the record of wine production started in the 1500s, becoming a well-known fact in New Mexico by the 1600s. Now, the US is the fourth largest wine-growing and producing country in the world, after France, Spain and Italy. The varied landscape from coast-to-coast creates different wines from each region, 80% of US wine is produced in California, and the other top regions (states) are Washington, Oregon and New York.
California, bordering the Pacific Ocean, is ideal for full-bodied red grapes and the layers of fog and cooler regions are perfect for white and Pinot Noir grapes. Washington is dry and sunny, which is great for fruity grapes; Oregon's climate is suited for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. New York is known for Riesling, elegant Merlot-based blends, and rosé.
For my tasting journey, I start in California, in the Lodi region, to try a very well-known grape variety that is popular from the USA, Zinfandel. Zinfandel originally comes from Croatia, a grape that has different names in different places, Zinfandel is USA, Primitivo in Italy. The grape is bold, powerful, with a jammy flavour of red and black fruits. It has specific exotic spice notes of cinnamon, star anise, pepper notes and tobacco. By style it is made as red wine or could be made as a rosé wine, otherwise known as White Zinfandel, that has a light body with a semi-sweet style.
For my Zinfandel tasting, I tried Three Finger Jack Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi California, the region that produces 40% of California's premium Zinfandel. Old Vine refers to vines that are more than 50 years old; the older the wine, the more complex the flavour, it gives a smaller yield and results in a more concentrated flavour. This Three Finger Jack was intense and bold yet very nice balance of dark cherry and plum, a delicious jammy flavour with hits of chocolate, sweet tobacco, a bit meaty, even coffee with beautiful toasty notes from the oak influences, enjoy your sip and then back to smell aroma and its just coming back more aroma to explore. For me, it's a well-sung rock anthem: yes it's wild and loud, but it's melodic and enjoyable at the same time. My second tasting is the Longshadow Pirouette from the Washington region, a Bordeaux blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec that was fermented in the barrel and aged 22 months in 75% new oak. The terroir here has been shaped by the sea, mountain, latitude and soil - and combined with the excellent wine-making process makes a very interesting wine. The classic Bordeaux blend is rich with blackberries, black cherry fruit, raspberries, liquorice, baking spices, cedar, a bit crème de cassis, hints of mint and violet on the back with a nice balance and rounded tannin with a long finish.
We can't miss trying a Chardonnay, especially from Oregon, the best will come from the coastal regions that receive a cooling breeze and morning fog from the Pacific ocean.
I'm trying the Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay, pronounced in the aroma of powerful fruit with an elegant balance of oak influence. Super appealing, clean and fresh fruit of lemon, yellow apple, creamy sweet pastry, white blossom, hits of chamomile and vanilla, it was full- bodied, with excellent crisp acidity, silky in the palate very nice texture on the palate, long finish and calling you for the next sip.