Wine in USA has been produced for over 300 years. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 89 percent of all US wine. The United States is the fourth largest wine producing country in the world after France, Italy, and Spain. The North American continent is home to several native species of grape, but it was the introduction of the European Vitis vinifera by European settlers that led to the growth of the wine making industry. With more than 1,100,000 acres under vine, the United States is the sixth most planted country in the world after France, Italy, Spain, China and Turkey. The first Europeans to explore North America called it Vinland because of the profusion of grape vines they found. The earliest wine made in what is now the United States was from the Scuppernong grapes by French Huguenot settlers at a settlement near Jacksonville, Florida between 1562 and 1564. The first commercial vineyard and winery in the United States was established by an act of the Kentucky Legislature on November 21, 1799. In the 1970s and 1980s, success by Californian winemakers helps to secure foreign investment dollars from other winemaking regions, most notably the Champenois. Changing taste in the American palate has also helped to foster this growth, with 668 million gallons (25.3 million hectoliters) of wine being consumed in the United States in 2004. Today the American wine industry faces the growing challenges of expanding international exports and dealing with domestic regulations on interstate sales and shipment of wine. There are nearly 3,000 commercial vineyards in the United States, and at least one winery in each of the 50 states.
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The 1983 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark ruby-red color with brick-red edges. It has a nose of roasted red pepper, dried cherries and cedar. This Cabernet has a medium body and a medium length finish. This wine is past its prime and would be best enjoyed now. May need decanting due to light sediment.
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Long Island, New York. Pinot Noir. Sustainable. Nice weather, cool temperatures and a long season were the perfect mix for making excellent Pinot Noir. Silky medium body, concentrated flavor, with hints of strawberry, cherry, hibiscus, clove and vanilla. Great wine to pair with roasted mushrooms risotto and gruyere cheese.
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A plush, opulent, densely textured, full-bodied wine that shows loads of black raspberry fruits, violets, shaved coco with polished sweet tannins. The 2019 takes over where it’s predecessor left off- a massive-over achiever. At once powerful and richly textured, it also shoes flashy acidity an great persistence in the finish.
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Wine Advocate 91 points - The 2017 Lytton Springs is made up of 74% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane and 2% Mataro. The blend is produced through hand-harvested grapes, indigenous yeast with malolactic bacteria, and then aged for 14 months in oak barrels. While very accessible and drinking well now, it will improve with age and evolve over a decade or more