Gents, with summer here my white wine consumption has been increasing. Recently this has included more US wines.
As I write I'm half way done a bottle of Wente Vinyard chardonnnay from Livermore Valley San Francisco, and I have to say I'm rather impressed. Littly oaked, nice citrus flavours and that oh so Californian (in my limited experience) butteryness. I also recently enjoyed another from Monteray (sp?) County CA.
Up until recently my knowlage of US wine pretty much stopped with the Nappa Valley but now I'm thirsty for more. Especially as I shall be in New York for a week at the end of august and I suspect native booze will be of better value than imported.
So 'meric'n type fellows give me some names to look out for, if you would be so kind.

Even though I live in "Wine Country" (Sonoma County, California), I don't drink much wine, and when I do it's imported (I have a taste for Italian, Hungarian, and Chilian wines). But, give some Sonoma County wines a try......can't think of one right now, maybe Mondavi? That might be a Napa wine, not sure.

I just recalled a couple more names:

Clo Du Bois
Kendall-Jackson

Both make a nice chardennay if that's your taste, both from Sonoma County IIRC.

As your in NewYorktry something local, try something from Gristina,I have only tryed the cabernet franc a few years ago though, very tasty! .

We have some excellent choices in the states. A few light wines that go very well with just about anything... seafood, chicken or pizza!

Columbia Winery Riesling

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Hogue Late Harvest Riesling

Cheers so far guys, focusing on the whites I'm more a Burgundy kinda guy and not very into German type wine.
However I had no idea about those Columbia et al rieslings and may have to have a go.
The missus is more into her red wine, she is also French so it could be fun getting her to accept US reds .

I live in a wine country (Spain), and frankly, I've never tried US wines, though I've heard to experts here saying they're top notch.

I myself die for the Rioja red wines here in Spain.

Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc, a California wine, is a nice balanced white wine made from organic grapes. It's a fav of my wife's, and I like it very much too.

Try looking up some of the Amador County, CA wines. Top notch stuff as well.. Doesn't have the same exposure as Narpy Valley, Snobnoma, or Liversnore.

Too many "mass produced" wines come from those places. Amador wines (well when I was growing up there) came from small family run wineries that took pride in quality and not mass marketing.

I favor the cheaper pull tab box wines. Nice touch of diesel oil and kerosene usually. Very quick to open and still gets you and your date drunk with.

quote:

Originally posted by I_KG100_Prien:
Try looking up some of the Amador County, CA wines. Top notch stuff as well.. Doesn't have the same exposure as Narpy Valley, Snobnoma, or Liversnore.

Having lived in "Snobnoma" County for most of the past 20 years, that pretty much fits, and not just talking about wine, either.

I tend to drink German whites here, but I seem to remember there were some good reviews on the wines "Quick and Easy" are stocking,

quote:

Originally posted by stalkervision:
I favor the cheaper pull tab box wines. Nice touch of diesel oil and kerosene usually. Very quick to open and still gets you and your date drunk with.

If I'm going for low ball wine I head for Night Train Express, Mad Dog 20/20, or Thunderbird

quote:

Having lived in "Snobnoma" County for most of the past 20 years, that pretty much fits, and not just talking about wine, either. Angry

I feel your pain crucis...

I loved growing up in a small wine producing area.. Except for weekends in the spring/summer when all the snobby yay-hoo's from the "Bay Area" came up to wine taste.

Quiet country roads became flooded with lookie-loo's. I about T-boned some dip-sh*t who decided he was going to try to pull a 3-point turn (after he missed the gate to one of the wineries)

On a two lane road marked with double yellow... just after a blind curve on one side, and a blind rise on the other... I think his life flashed before his eyes... (1972 Chevy C-20 vs BMW roadster- do the math). Good thing I was on the ball with some quick engine braking and controlled brake pedal.

I hoped the wine was worth the soiled shorts.. Which it probably was LOL.

Anywho..

Looking back I think the best part about growing up on a wine-grape vineyard was eating the grapes fresh off the vine.. Sure- they have seeds but those lame "seedless table grapes" don't hold a candle to the flavor of wine grapes. I became a master of not even noticing the seeds.

Any of you Californians that are ever up that way should swing through Amador County.. It's just about 45 miles easterly of Sacramento- Sandwiched between Placer, El Dorado, and Calaveras counties.. If you've ever been up Highway 88 you've been through A.C.

There are some nice little spots for wine if you head out towards Plymouth- Up Sheanandoah Valley road- to Bell Road, Steiner Road.. and up beyond.

I've given you a rough map now go get some good Vino!!!

Hey Merlin, have you seen this film:



One of my favourites and very funny/poignant.

I think the best whites are from the Alsace - i love a good Gewürztraminer

Love that film funny as hell!