American wine

California is the hub of American wine production, producing more than 80% of all the wines produced in the United States, where Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the leading grape varieties. Oregon and Washington State follow as major wine regions. These areas in the United States have an ideal climate and soil composition for bringing the best wines of the world.

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ProducerName Vintage l. Parker
Robert Parker is one of the world's most infuential wine critics. Ratings are from 50 – 100 points.
Other
Ratings and tasting notes from other wine professionals like WineSpectator, James Suckling, Burghound, Jasper Morris, Vinous, Jeb Dunnuck, Decanter. Ratings are from 50 – 100 points.
JR/RG
Ratings and tasting notes from Jancis Robinson or Rene Gabriel. Ratings are from 10-20 points.
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Rating from the Best of Wines Tasting panel. Ratings are from 5 – 10 points
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Abreu • Rothwell Hyde 2015 0,75 8 1 € 220,00 € 266,20
Adversity Cellars • Cabernet Sauvignon Erba Vineyard 2019 0,75 95 9- 12 € 189,00 € 228,69
Adversity Cellars • Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge 2019 0,75 94 8.5 12 € 189,00 € 228,69
Adversity Cellars • Cabernet Sauvignon The Papas 2019 0,75 95 94 9- 11 € 209,00 € 252,89
Adversity Cellars • Chardonnay Five Wells 2020 0,75 93 94 8.5 34 € 62,95 € 76,17
Alpha Omega • Cabernet Sauvignon Thomas Vineyard 2018 0,75 93 97 8.5 5 € 220,00 € 266,20
Amici • Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa 2021 0,75 97 7 € 159,00 € 192,39
Amici • Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle 2021 0,75 96 9 € 159,00 € 192,39
Amici • Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli 2021 0,75 94 98 2 € 159,00 € 192,39
Amici • Chardonnay Charles Heintz 2022 0,75 96 8.5 18 € 59,95 € 72,54
Amici • Chardonnay Windsor Ridge 2021 0,75 96 8.5 23 € 59,95 € 72,54
Amuse Bouche • Leroy Neiman 2019 0,75 95 8.5 14 € 139,00 € 168,19
Amuse Bouche • Proprietary Red 2014 0,75 90 95 8+ 9 € 159,00 € 192,39
Amuse Bouche • Proprietary Red 2016 0,75 95 92 8.5 24 € 149,00 € 180,29
Amuse Bouche • Proprietary Red 2018 0,75 98 95 9- 33 € 189,00 € 228,69
Amuse Bouche • Proprietary Red 2019 0,75 95 9- 17 € 175,00 € 211,75
Amuse Bouche • Proprietary Red 2021 0,75 95 35 € 195,00 € 235,95
Amuse Bouche • Vin Perdu Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 0,75 96 94 47 € 74,95 € 90,69
Amuse Bouche • Vin Perdu Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 0,75 95 36 € 99,00 € 119,79
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Brut Rose 2005 0,75 93 94 3 € 84,95 € 102,79
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Brut Rose 2012 0,75 95 8.5 10 € 59,00 € 71,39
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Brut Rose 2014 0,75 93 8+ 28 € 59,95 € 72,54
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2013 0,75 88 8 17 € 57,95 € 70,12
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2014 0,75 92 8 1 € 72,95 € 88,27
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2019 0,75 94 35 € 62,95 € 76,17
Amuse Bouche Richard G, Peterson • Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2021 0,75 93 17 € 58,95 € 71,33
Anthill Farms • Peugh Chardonnay 2021 0,75 94 8+ 15 € 32,00 € 38,72
Anthill Farms • Peugh Mixed Blacks 2020 0,75 8 29 € 38,95 € 47,13
Anthill Farms • Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch 2021 0,75 95 8+ 40 € 37,95 € 45,92
Anthill Farms • Pinot Noir Harmony Lane 2021 0,75 95 8+ 30 € 37,95 € 45,92
Anthill Farms • Pinot Noir Hawk Hill 2021 0,75 93 8+ 55 € 44,95 € 54,39
Anthill Farms • Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021 0,75 92 8+ 25 € 41,95 € 50,76
Anthill Farms • Syrah Campbell Ranch 2020 0,75 8 33 € 39,95 € 48,34
Antica Terra • Aequorin Chardonnay 2021 0,75 98 3 € 229,00 € 277,09
Antica Terra • Botanica Pinot Noir 2021 0,75 95 98 5 € 199,00 € 240,79
Antica Terra • Botanica Pinot Noir 2022 0,75 98 3 € 254,00 € 307,34
Antica Terra • Ceras Pinot Noir 2022 0,75 97 6 € 254,00 € 307,34
Arista Winery • Chardonnay Banfield Vineyard 2021 0,75 97 10 € 82,00 € 99,22
Arista Winery • Chardonnay El Diablo Vineyard 2021 0,75 97 8 € 82,00 € 99,22
Arista Winery • Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard 2021 0,75 100 15 € 92,00 € 111,32
Arista Winery • Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2021 0,75 95 16 € 62,00 € 75,02
Arista Winery • Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard 2021 0,75 98 11 € 104,00 € 125,84
Arista Winery • Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2021 0,75 95 27 € 62,00 € 75,02
Arista Winery • Pinot Noir UV-Lucky Well Vineyard 2021 0,75 98 9 € 84,00 € 101,64
Arnot-Roberts • Red Wine 2021 0,75 95 39 € 52,95 € 64,07
Arnot-Roberts • Syrah 2022 0,75 92 92 8+ 17 € 37,95 € 45,92
Arnot-Roberts • Watson Ranch Chardonnay 2022 0,75 92 92 8+ 24 € 33,95 € 41,08
Arterberry Maresh • Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard 2018 0,75 96 94 16 8.5 11 € 49,95 € 60,44
Arterberry Maresh • Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard 2021 0,75 96 95 8.5 34 € 59,00 € 71,39
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2023 0,75 93 25 € 32,50 € 39,33
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard 2018 0,75 95 95 8.5 16 € 60,95 € 73,75
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard 2021 0,75 98 97 9- 6 € 69,95 € 84,64
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard 2022 0,75 95 96 54 € 75,00 € 90,75
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Old Vines 2022 0,75 95 95 15 € 59,95 € 72,54
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard 2021 0,75 97 93 9- 14 € 49,00 € 59,29
Arterberry Maresh • Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard 2022 0,75 94 98 53 € 75,00 € 90,75
Au Bon Climat • Chardonnay 31st Vintage Sanford and Benedict Vineyard 2016 0,75 92 17 8.5 24 € 59,95 € 72,54
Au Bon Climat • Pinot Noir Larmes de Grappe 2018 0,75 8 1 € 82,95 € 100,37
Au Bon Climat • Pinot Noir Runway Vineyard 2018 0,75 93 8+ 2 € 46,95 € 56,81
Au Sommet • Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak 2016 0,75 96 94 9- 17 € 189,00 € 228,69
Au Sommet • Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak 2019 0,75 97 9- 45 € 189,00 € 228,69
Au Sommet • Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak 2021 0,75 98 10 € 239,00 € 289,19
Aubert • Chardonnay Larry Hyde and Sons Vineyard Carneros 2023 1,5 100 9 1 € 469,00 € 567,49
Aubert • Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate 2021 1,5 95 98 8.5 1 € 479,00 € 579,59
Aubert • Chardonnay Sugar Shack Estate 2023 1,5 98 9- 1 € 469,00 € 567,49
Aubert • CIX Chardonnay 2023 0,75 98 9- 3 € 239,00 € 289,19
Aubert • CIX Chardonnay 2023 1,5 98 9- 1 € 479,00 € 579,59
Aubert • CIX Pinot Noir 2021 0,75 95 6 € 189,00 € 228,69
Aubert • CIX Pinot Noir 2022 0,75 97 96 6 € 195,00 € 235,95
Aubert • CIX Pinot Noir 2022 1,5 97 96 1 € 459,00 € 555,39
Aubert • Eastside Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 1,5 97 8.5 1 € 409,00 € 494,89
Aubert • Park Avenue Estate Vineyard 2021 1,5 96 97 1 € 439,00 € 531,19
Aubert • Park Avenue Estate Vineyard 2022 0,75 96 97 6 € 195,00 € 235,95
Aubert • Park Avenue Estate Vineyard 2022 1,5 96 97 1 € 449,00 € 543,29
Aubert • Pinot Noir Russian River 2020 0,75 8 1 € 153,00 € 185,13
Aubert • Pinot Noir Russian River 2023 0,75 6 € 139,00 € 168,19
Aubert • Powder House Chardonnay 2021 1,5 97 97 9- 1 € 539,00 € 652,19
Aubert • Powder House Chardonnay 2022 1,5 97 96 2 € 429,00 € 519,09
Aubert • Powder House Chardonnay 2023 1,5 98 9- 1 € 429,00 € 519,09
Aubert • Ritchie Chardonnay 2004 1,5 96 94 9- 1 € 479,00 € 579,59
Aubert • Ritchie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 1,5 90 8 1 € 345,00 € 417,45
Aubert • UV Pinot Noir 2022 0,75 94 94 6 € 175,00 € 211,75
Aubert • UV-SL Chardonnay 2022 1,5 95 97 2 € 424,00 € 513,04
Aubert • UV-SL Pinot Noir 2022 0,75 93 95 6 € 189,00 € 228,69
Audeant • Pinot Noir 2016 0,75 94 8+ 24 € 64,95 € 78,59
Audeant • Pinot Noir 2019 0,75 95 92 16 8+ 29 € 49,00 € 59,29
Audeant • Pinot Noir 2021 0,75 93 16 24 € 52,95 € 64,07
Audeant • Pinot Noir 2022 0,75 92 95 8 36 € 52,95 € 64,07
Audeant • Pinot Noir Luminous Hills Vineyard 2019 0,75 94 96 16 8+ 6 € 54,95 € 66,49
Audeant • Pinot Noir Luminous Hills Vineyard 2022 0,75 94 96 21 € 64,95 € 78,59
Audeant • Pinot Noir Nysa Vineyard 2022 0,75 93 94 24 € 74,95 € 90,69
Audeant • Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2020 0,75 93 16 8.5 27 € 65,00 € 78,65
Audeant • Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 0,75 94 8+ 24 € 69,95 € 84,64
Beaulieu Vineyard • Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 0,75 94 97 8.5 17 € 115,00 € 139,15
Beaulieu Vineyard • Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 0,75 96 98 8.5 16 € 115,00 € 139,15
Beaulieu Vineyard • Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 0,75 94 100 8.5 2 € 109,00 € 131,89

The best wines from America

There are numerous ways to divide wines into different types or styles. This way you distinguish wines into old world wines and new world wines. Europe, as the origin of winemaking is called the old world and is still the largest and dominant wine producer, with France, Italy, Spain and Germany as the key producers. Outside Europe, the U.S., Argentina, Chile, Australia and South Africa are the most important wine producers, and these countries form the largest part of the new world of wine.

New World vines have their origins in Europe, thanks to European settlers who brought grape varieties to their new homeland. The label "new" indicates the emergence of these wine countries in the market, with innovative insights and the way they produce their wines.

The United States differs from European appellations in its less stringent regulations. Here, appellations are referred to as AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) which, unlike French AOP legislation, impose basic standards and give winemakers the freedom to choose grape varieties and vinification methods.

The majority of the best American wines come from California, the 'Golden State' of the United States and Oregon. These areas in the United States have an ideal climate and soil composition. 

Regions in United States

American wine

Best of Wines: Specialist in exclusive wines from America

At Best of Wines, you have come to the right place if you are looking for exclusive USA wines. Best of Wines has a very large stock of these wines from the USA, especially wines from Napa, Sonoma and Oregon. These are without a doubt some of the most renowned wine regions in the country. But other areas like, amongst others,  Washington also produce magnificent wines.

Wineries such as Harlan, with its top tier and always very high scoring Cabernet Sauvignon and Screaming Eagle, to be compared with Chateau Petrus in its rariry, quality and price, belong to the best of American wines. For white wines, Aubert can be seen as one of the most iconic producers and Sine Qua Non is exceptional in its very limited assortment of yearly changing wines (and name of its wines). The list of high quality producers is almost endless: Marcassin with its pinot noir, Hundred Acre withs its Ark, Dark Ark and Wraith wines and Ridge with its world famous Monte Bello and Dunn Vineyards with its Howell Mountain wines, are just a sample of this list and are among the absolute best wines in the USA and much loved worldwide.

History of wines from the USA

European settlers in North America quickly discovered that something was missing: wine. So these settlers tried to find ways to produce wine like they were used to in Europe. The earliest attempts date back to 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia, where they pressed the first wine from local, native grapes. But these early efforts did not yet make wine of the desired quality. It would take two more centuries before they managed to produce wine at the expected quality level.

The biggest problem was that the local American grape varieties were not suitable for making drinkable wine. European vines (Vitis vinifera) were also unable to withstand the American climate, the diseases and local pests. It was a challenge to find vines that both grew well and produce quality grapes in American conditions.

However, that all changed in the 19th century with the discovery of a white hybrid called "Alexander," created from a cross between an American Vitis labrusca and a European Vitis vinifera. It directly started the beginning of a hopeful period for viticulture in the eastern states of the United States. Viticulture began to spread steadily, planting mainly the foxy-red hybrid Concord grape. Sweet wines and grape juice were preferably produced from this grape. After World War II, people concentrated on growing French hybrids that produced wines of more pleasing quality.

Eventually they managed to successfully adapt European grapevines to the American climate and produce high-quality wines in the United States. 

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The best wine regions in America

California, The Golden State, is the hub of American wine production, producing 90% of all the wines produced in the United States, where Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the leading grape varieties.

Washington State and Oregon follow as major wine regions. Washington State is the second largest wine producer, despite having only 10% of California's plantings. Washington is known for fruity and powerful wines, especially with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Riesling, and is now experimenting with Malbec. Well-known AVAs include Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain and Walla Walla.

Oregon is a notable wine region in the U.S., with comparisons to Burgundy, mainly because of its emphasis on Pinot Noir. Oregon is known as a "cool climate" wine region with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay as the dominant grape varieties. The main AVA is Willamette Valley. Southern Oregon is home to Bordeaux grapes, as well as Rhone and Spanish varieties.

Classifications of wines from America

In the late 1970s, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) setup a system for the definition of wine appellations, known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). These AVAs were definied primarily based on geographic locations and clearly defined borders. 

Throughout the United States, American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) vary greatly in size, spanning from the expansive Upper Mississippi River AVA, which covers over 19 million acres (29,900 square miles or 77,000 km2) across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, to the much more modest 60-acre (24 hectares) Mendocino County, California AVA. The Augusta AVA, located in the vicinity of Augusta, Missouri, has the honour of being the first officially recognized AVA, a status it achieved on June 20, 1980.

There are currently 267 AVAs across 34 states, with 147 covering more than half a state. AVAs can coexist within larger ones, known as ‘’nesting’’, and allow winemakers to label their wines with the most specific AVA. Smaller AVAs don't always guarantee higher quality wines. Unlike French AOP regulations, they provide fundamental parameters and allow for the selection of grape types and vinification procedures. If a vintage is specified, it must account for 95% of the wine. For a grape variety to be listed, at least 75% (90% in Oregon) of that variety must be present in the bottle. For an AVA to be included, at least 85% of the wine must be produced in that region. The terms "reserve" and "special selection" have no legal validity and are mostly used for marketing purposes.

One might assume that smaller AVAs lead to lower yields and higher-quality wines, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. Furthermore, AVAs enable consumers to associate specific qualities, reputations, or characteristics with wines crafted from grapes grown within a particular AVA. In essence, AVAs provide consumers with a valuable tool for discerning the qualities of the wines they are purchasing.

Wine labels of American wines

The TTB is responsible for wine labelling rules in the United States. They require that wines with a specific appellation must contain at least 75% of their grapes from that region. However, some states may deviate from this: For example, in California, wines with an AVA must contain 100% of their grapes from that region.

The labelling laws are, amongst others:

  • Grape variety and origin: If a specific AVA is listed on the label, at least 85% of the grapes used must be from that AVA. If a label lists a County, state or other country, the minimum requirement is 75%.
  • Minimum Percentage Grape: When a County, state or country is designated as an appellation, at least 75% of the grapes used must be from that listed appellation, unless more stringent regional rules require otherwise.
  • Vintage laws: All wines with a vintage must list a specific appellation smaller than a County. If a wine with a vintage mentions a specific AVA, 95% of the grapes must come from that year. For wines with a state or County designation, the minimum is 85%.
  • Grape varietals: All wines with a grape variety designation must consist of at least 75% of the grape variety listed.
  • Alcohol content: The label must state the alcohol content, with a margin of plus or minus 1.5%. Wines with an alcohol content between 7 and 14% may be designated as "table wine" or "light wine."
  • Health and sulfite warnings: Each wine label must contain a health warning. Also, when a wine contains more than 10 parts per million of sulfites, then "Contains Sulfite" must appear on the label.
  • Producer's Address and Name: The bottler's name and address must appear on each wine label.
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