The United States of America is the world’s fourth largest producer of wine and claims the world’s sixth highest acreage of land under vine.
California produces approximately 85% of all American wine, followed by Washington, New York, and Oregon. Compared with traditional wine-producing countries, the US has a large population, surpassing France in early 2011 to become the world’s largest wine consumer. Despite this, the US ranked only 62nd in per capita consumption by 2016, with just 30% of the population identifying as wine drinkers. In 2019, the US experienced its first decline in wine consumption in 25 years, as the industry lost market share to fast-growing categories such as canned hard seltzers, spirits, and craft beer. Still, the US continues to provide the world’s most substantial market for fine wines. Further, over the past 20 years, powerful American critics have had a significant influence on winemakers and markets worldwide.
In the early ninth century, the Viking Leif Eriksson brought his boat aground at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada, becoming the first European to definitively set foot on the North American continent. He christened his discovery Vinland—possibly a reference to the meadows before him or, as recounted in the 13th-century poem “Saga of the Greenlanders,” a tribute to the wealth of native grapevines. Unlike in South America, several species of wild grapevines awaited the first colonists of North America, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis aestivalis. Vitis vinifera, the source of fine wine
Nicole,
These things are always a bit complicated. While it was proposed and the proposal was accepted for Ancient Lakes in 2012, the final ruling and acceptance did not occur until 2013.
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1513-AB85/establishment-of-the-ancient-lakes-of-columbia-valley-viticultural-area
When was Ancient Lakes of C.V. est? The Washington State Wine Commission says October, 18 2012. T/F?
Justin, don't trust the Brits to tell you about climate in California. They show up expecting to swim in the Pacific. :)
Question: I've read a few different sources (World Atlas of Wine and Sotheby's Encyclopedia) that claim Alexander Valley is the warmest AVA in Sonoma, since Knights Valley sits at higher elevations. Is there a lot of climate fluctuation in this region, or are the publications I mentioned above out of date?
Matthew, not quite. The text here states that Yount had vines in the ground by 1839. You are correct that he settled in the valley in 1836.