11 Delicious American Wines To Drink This 4th Of July
Louis Roederer L'Hermitage Brut, 2019—a 100-point sparkling wine Louis Roederer
Every single state in the Union makes wine—which means you'll have plentiful options for when selecting American wines to drink on July 4th. Indeed, it can be argued that American wines are as world-class as our Old World counterparts in most every category, from pinot noir and chardonnay to sparkling and rose, there is a wine to love in most every state. Consider the Finger Lakes region in New York where, explains Meaghan Frank, fourth generation vintner and Vice President of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, they enjoy a long history of producing traditional method sparkling wines dating back before prohibition. New York is also home to stunning Riesling wines says Frank, 'Riesling loves a cool climate, steep slopes and rocky soil- all of which we have plenty of in the Finger Lakes. The cool climate is moderated by our deep glacial lakes which also provide a myriad of soil types ranging from limestone to shale.' States like Texas have arid dry conditions for cultivating traditional Spanish varietals such as tempranillo while Oregon's cooler climate is ideal for pinot noir and chardonnay. We are a sprawling nation with myriad climates in which to grow grapes so make this Independence Day an opportunity to try the best in American wines
Westborn Sparkling Wines, CALIFORNIA: The team behind these wines spent years sourcing premium fruit from some of California's most prestigious vineyards, and the results are world-class. Crafted by a trio of acclaimed winemakers: Weston Eidson, Russell Bevan, and Nathan Reeves, the three offerings (Perpetural Reserve, Brut and Rose) are polished, focused and elegant sparkling wine expressions of place and terroir. The Perpetual Reserve wins top nod from me for its character and richness. If you plan to break out a bottle and toast to America's birthday, this is the one. $100
In honor of Women's History Month, Domaine Carneros released the 2020 Crane Cuvée Brut Rosé, a limited-edition sparkling wine celebrating founding winemaker Eileen Crane, a trailblazer in American sparkling wine with over 40 years of experience. Crafted from the winery's original vineyard block, this Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend was the final wine Eileen blended before retiring. With only 663 cases produced, I's a bit of a national treasure—delicious with notes of strawberry, peaches, a whiff of honey and buttery toasted nuts. $84
Louis Roederer L'Hermitage Brut, 2019, CALIFORNIA: This marvelous sparkling wine just received a 100-point score from Wine Enthusiast— A perfect score for a perfect bubbly. Roederer's California bubbly has long been a go-to for me for good reasons. It is consistently spectacular. Made with grapes grown in the cooler climes of Anderson Valley, the Hermitage Brut is the winery's top prestige cuvée. Rich and creamy on the palate with notes of ripe apple, candied ginger, citrus peel and brioche, it's a winner to be sure. $80
Gruet Brut Rose, NEW MEXICO: A lovely legacy of French winemaking lives in New Mexico at Gruet, where they craft impeccable and very affordable Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. The sparkling rose is a crowd favorite with bright red strawberry notes and streams of pearly bubbles on the palate. The price is so civilized you might want to make it your house sparkling. $15 average online
Meaghan Frank, 4th generation vintner of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in New York Konstantin Frank Wine
Dr Konstantin Frank Grüner Veltliner, 2023, NEW YORK: 'Our Gruner Veltliner,' explains Meaghan Frank, 'was planted 20 years ago in our Hector site on the east side of Seneca Lake, known as the 'banana-belt' of the Finger Lakes for its warmer temperatures. This area gets the afternoon sun and is moderated by a deeper lake (640ft. deep). My father Fred planted our Gruner Veltliner after studying in Germany and falling in love with Austrian Gruner Veltliner. He knew it had amazing potential in the cool climate of the Finger Lakes. Our style is fresh, herbal and citric. We are also debuting a reserve style in homage to my father Fred which is a richer style with partial oak fermentation and maturation. We also just released a traditional method Gruner Veltliner which is textured and fresh with 3 years aging on the lees before disgorgement. Gruner Veltliner is another standout variety to seek out in the region.'
This wine dances with minerality and freshness and shows notes of candied lime, apricot and papaya on the palate. $19.99
Early Mountain Vineyards Petit Manseng, 2022, VIRGINIA: This stunning white wine just received one of only two Gold medals awarded to American wineries on the East Coast. This was also only the second Gold medal ever awarded to a Virginia winery in the history of the Decanter World Wine Awards (the world's largest wine competition). The wine shows ripe, tropical fruit notes, a thread of lemon curd and refreshing texture. Founded in 2012 by Jean and Steve Case, Early Mountain has been a leading winery in Virginia for the past decade. $65
Lange Estate Winery Three Hills Chardonnay, 2022, OREGON: This juicy Oregon Chardonnay drinks much like a world-class French Chablis with stony-flinty vibes, notes of rich lemon cream and a savory mouthwatering texture. $45 Rose:
Provence me ets the American West in the Minus Tide Carignan Rose, 2024, CALIFORNIA. Whole cluster pressed and fermented with native yeast, this succulent rose brims with bright fresh strawberry and watermelon notes. Just Yum with any 4th of July picnic. $27 Reds:
C.L Butaud, Farmhouse Vineyards Tempranillo, TEXAS: A Ripe and savory expression of 100% tempranillo that would be perfect with a classic July 4th barbecue of hamburgers, grilled hot dogs and corn on the cob. The wine shows notes of ripe plum and black cherry tempered with soft-worn leather and a dusty earth. $54
Auteur Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2022, CALIFORNIA: Founders Kenneth and Laura Juhasz bottle small-lot expressions of some of California's most exquisite sites for cultivating pinot noir—and this one from Anderson Valley is one of my favorites. Old growth redwood forests give way to rolling vineyards in this still-quiet winemaking region—and the vines make wines with tension, purity and brightness. Raspberry-cherry fruit, savory minerality and a hint of earth and violet make this one a great American classic. $85
Centennial Mountain Nerello Mascalese, 2021, CALIFORNIA: Just delicious, period. One of the select few vintners working with Italian varietals in California, and every single one is worth the splurge (Nebbiolo, I'm looking at you), but this one delivers on that bewitching blend of freshness and lusciousness on the palate with blue-black fruit notes and a gentle whiff of spice and leather. They planted the first Carricante and Nerello Mascalese vines grown in the U.S. at their Centennial Mountain Vineyard in Sonoma — this is a winery to watch. $59.
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