The Growth Of American WinePosted by Walton Dickens on June 12th, 2021 American wine is not only grown and harvested here, but it is made and distributed by an international grape harvest, the largest in the world. Wine is made in the US since the early 1500s, when the first widely distributed production starting in New Mexico. Today, worldwide wine production is undertaken at the rate of over 11 million cases per year, with California making up the overwhelming majority of the total. However, most of the produced wine in America is not of the superior quality that one would expect from such a large producer. Instead, much of the wine produced in this country is of lower quality, due to the lack of attention given to quality control in the production process. The major varieties of wine produced in America are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose of Syrah. Among these, Merlot is probably the most well known, being sold both in the retail market as well as through the various specialty stores. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are two of the most popular varieties of red wine produced in the United States. Though historically red italian wines than Cabernet, the public has been trending towards these wines in increasing numbers, and more local wineries are offering these wines off-site to the public. The history of American wine dates back centuries, during which European wine was often referred to as French wine, due to the French influence on the region's geography. From this period in history, there have been dramatic changes to the production and variety of wine available to the consumer. In fact, although the wine making process has remained largely the same throughout history, there have been significant improvements in many varieties of wine made in the last century. In addition, although there have been no significant changes to the basic varietals, the amount of land needed for growing them has increased substantially. As a result, some wine regions have become less accessible for growing certain varieties of grape. One of the major shifts in the history of American wine has come from the increased popularity of wineries in the eastern part of the country. Wineries in the northeast have historically focused more on making a full variety of wines, including local favorites such as apples and pears, as well as an ever expanding array of dessert wines like cheesecake. Although there are still a number of wineries that produce an overall regional focus, there are now many wineries that will produce any variety of grape in order to meet the demands of their customers. This new approach to winemaking has lead to a massive shift in the types of grapes used in producing wines, resulting in many wines being produced from a smaller area than in years past. In american wine to the selection of grape varietal, the geography of a winery has also played a large role in the variety of wines that can be made and sold in this country. Wineries that are located along rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water have typically focused their efforts on making wines that are best suited to drinking from such bodies rather than using other methods such as barrels to age their wines. Today, many wine makers are taking advantage of the fact that the availability of water is widespread throughout the United States and are using this fact in order to create an ever increasing number of new and exciting wines that can be paired with exceptional food. The creation of new wines from American vineyards is only one part of the history of the American wine scene. Throughout the history of wine consumption in this country, many cultures and families have combined their own personal traditions with those of their neighbors and fellow citizens in order to create a rich tapestry of beverage history that has lasted through generations. As winemakers continue to experiment with their wine production processes and look for new varieties to produce, many of these innovative stories are becoming passed down through generations and can be seen in the personal choices and tastes of people in every corner of the world. Today, American wine is used not only for special occasions but as the staple part of American cuisine. Food is often judged on its ability to tantalize the taste buds of the diner and as a result the creation of American wine is often used as a means to score points with dining partners and those that just want to have a good time. For the many American wine lovers that are not on a winning streak, there are also plenty of options available for those who are interested in trying a wide selection of wines and a wide variety of foods.Like it? Share it! |