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- Origin
- USA
- Washington State
- Yakima Valley
A rich and brooding Syrah packed with flavours of dark berry fruit such as plums and raspberries. Peppery on the palate with a long and silky finish. Read More- Origin
- USA
- Washington State
- Yakima Valley
A rich and brooding Syrah packed with flavours of dark berry fruit such as plums and raspberries. Peppery on the palate with a long and silky finish. Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
Brilliant garnet in the glass with aromas of baked cherry, hazelnut, sassafras and pennyroyal. It offers flavors of white raspberry, a turn of spring ... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
Brilliant garnet in the glass with aromas of baked cherry, hazelnut, sassafras and pennyroyal. It offers flavors of white raspberry, a turn of spring ... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
The aromatics are clearly Cabernet Franc with violet floral overtones, graphite and ripe red raspberry. The pallet is juicy, clean, fruity, but bala... Read More- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
The aromatics are clearly Cabernet Franc with violet floral overtones, graphite and ripe red raspberry. The pallet is juicy, clean, fruity, but bala... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
beautifully aromatic with apricot, tangerine peel and blossom but with a hint of Christmas spice. Cider apples predominate on the the palate but cut t... Read More- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
beautifully aromatic with apricot, tangerine peel and blossom but with a hint of Christmas spice. Cider apples predominate on the the palate but cut t... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
This straw-coloured wine opens with a bright nose of citrus zest, young pineapple, waxy tropical flowers and freshly whipped cream with notes of almon... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
This straw-coloured wine opens with a bright nose of citrus zest, young pineapple, waxy tropical flowers and freshly whipped cream with notes of almon... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
Brooding and intense, it has a deep, rich ruby crimson colour in the glass. Aromas of red berry, black cherry and plum are followed by notes of bay le... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
Brooding and intense, it has a deep, rich ruby crimson colour in the glass. Aromas of red berry, black cherry and plum are followed by notes of bay le... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- Russian River Valley
Stunning notes of pear, yellow apple, and white rose lead the way, followed by intriguing notes of kumquat, butterscotch, cinnamon, and a touch of lil... Read More- Origin
- USA
- Russian River Valley
Stunning notes of pear, yellow apple, and white rose lead the way, followed by intriguing notes of kumquat, butterscotch, cinnamon, and a touch of lil... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
Aromas of lemon blossom, tangerine, salt, jasmine and crushed rock are complemented with undertones of fresh cream and star fruit. On the palate, note... Read More- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
Aromas of lemon blossom, tangerine, salt, jasmine and crushed rock are complemented with undertones of fresh cream and star fruit. On the palate, note... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
Aromatically intense notes of roses, red fruit and berries, hibiscus and hints of cinnamon. On the palate, flavours of blood orange, concentrated stra... Read More- Origin
- USA
- Oregon
Aromatically intense notes of roses, red fruit and berries, hibiscus and hints of cinnamon. On the palate, flavours of blood orange, concentrated stra... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
Intense yet precise aromas of red fruit (raspberry and blackcurrant) complemented by notes of black pepper and laurel. The wine is supple and rich wit... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
Intense yet precise aromas of red fruit (raspberry and blackcurrant) complemented by notes of black pepper and laurel. The wine is supple and rich wit... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
Overture displays a vibrant garnet color with expressive aromas of fresh red fruits. Notes of bright cherry and red currant are underpinned by more ea... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
Overture displays a vibrant garnet color with expressive aromas of fresh red fruits. Notes of bright cherry and red currant are underpinned by more ea... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
Meticulous vineyard management, dry farming, organic practices enable the vines to produce the finest fruit. The 2016 vintage is deep dark red burstin... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
Meticulous vineyard management, dry farming, organic practices enable the vines to produce the finest fruit. The 2016 vintage is deep dark red burstin... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
A harmonious balance of ripe peach and pineapple. Smooth and creamy with a touch of citrus zest, culminating in a lingering, buttery finish. Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
A harmonious balance of ripe peach and pineapple. Smooth and creamy with a touch of citrus zest, culminating in a lingering, buttery finish. Read More -
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- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
The epitome of sophistication and elegance in a wine. This gorgeous red from the Napa Valley is bursting with floral notes of violet, lavender and ros... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
The epitome of sophistication and elegance in a wine. This gorgeous red from the Napa Valley is bursting with floral notes of violet, lavender and ros... Read More -
- Origin
- USA
- California
A delicious medium pink wine with hints of fresh strawberries and summer fruits. Candied fruit flavour is the key to its approachability and populari... Read More- Origin
- USA
- California
A delicious medium pink wine with hints of fresh strawberries and summer fruits. Candied fruit flavour is the key to its approachability and populari... Read More
The Zinfandel grape is surely the most versatile in the world and the Napa Valley can blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to compete with Bordeaux. It is a land that combines a love for experimentation with a robust knowledge of what it does well. The possibilities seem endless.
History
The USA has packed a great deal of incident into its relatively short viticultural history. Arriving from Europe in the eighteenth century, vines were thriving by the time phylloxera struck in the late nineteenth century. Already reeling, the industry was dealt a heavier blow by the Prohibition which prevailed from 1920-1933. The Second World War did nothing to encourage a rebirth, but prosperity and international influence in the sixties and seventies ensured the survival and eventual explosion of winemaking in California and beyond.
The Classification System
In 1980 the USA was divided by law into over a hundred American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). These are purely geographical, being devised around climate, topography and soil type, and no European-style rules and regulations are attached. It is not a system that has impressed producers and, as the AVA does not appear on the label, it is largely irrelevant to the consumer.
Climate and Conditions
It is unsurprising that California dominates the American wines that we see as it accounts for over 90 per cent of production and much of the best. Sadly, it is easy for excellent and interesting wines to be elbowed off the shelves by churned out, corporate offerings that sacrifice character for consistency and whose greatest desire is not to offend. They are not, however, representative of American wine on the whole, which is as vibrant and exciting as anywhere else in the world and a delight to explore.