North American Wine

American Wines from Great Wines Direct

Wine has been produced in America for more than 300 years, and today wine is produced in all 50 states, although most of it comes from California, where almost 90% of American wine is produced. The USA has the title of 4th biggest wine producing country worldwide following France, Italy and Spain.

North America is home to many native grape species – vitis vulpina, vitis rotundifolia, vitis riparia and vitis labrusca being just some of them. However, America’s wine cultivation industry has its basis on the vitis vinifera variety which was originally brought to the country with the original settlers from Europe. Over 1,100,000 acres of US soil is dedicated to growing grapes for wine production, and this makes it the 6th most vineyard planted country worldwide following France, Italy, Spain, China and Turkey.

Although most of America’s wine comes from the hot climates of California, the Pacific North West region also produces grapes including the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. There are around 3,000 commercial vineyards in operation across the US with one winery at least in all of the states.

Thanks to the variety of terrains and climates around the USA, the wines that are produced in different regions have very distinctive characteristics that make them a joy to explore. From the hot southern climates of Alabama, where sweet wines dominate to the cold regions of Alaska where grapes may not be cultivated but wines are certainly produced, America’s offerings are diverse and, in the main, surprisingly good.

Over the last few years, the industry has seen considerable expansion and investment with the result that many more US wines are starting to emerge into the international market and are being recognised for their quality.

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Rose 10

West Coast Swing White Zinfandel 2022 75cl | Great Wines Direct

West Coast Swing White Zinfandel 2022 75cl £7.61

Full of ripe fruit aromas such as peaches, mango and melon Juicy on the palate with strawberry and tropical fruit flavours with fresh acidity balancing the sweetness

White 14.5

Bogle Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2022 75cl £16.31

Beautiful, juicy ripe pear and nectarine fruit cradled in gently toasted oak with layers of flavour and texture The mid-palate is fleshed out by delicious creamy, buttery flavours, and the oak adds an intriguing spicy complexity There is perfectly-balanced acidity, which makes sure that it finishes clean and fresh and makes you ready for another sip Superb wine!

White 13.5

Bonterra Organic Chardonnay 2022 75cl £15.72

An initial impression of rich, buttery cream quickly turns to aromas of honey and lightly toasted almonds, followed by tropical aromas of pineapple, citrusy lemon and creme brulee The wine is refreshing on the palate, with a minerality that is both bright and clean, drawing you into a vibrant tartness and lemon zest that is absolutely, positively Bonterra Chardonnay, vintage after vintage

Red 14.5

Bogle Family Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2021 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Bogle Family Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel 2021 75cl £16.31

This supple and mouth-filling vintage leads with juicy raspberry and ripe boysenberry fruit Hints of spiced chocolate integrate well with fruit that is surprisingly luscious and silky on the palate, partnered with black pepper backbone that gives structure and weight Flavours of toasted oak and pipe tobacco create further structure, allowing this wine to stand up to a variety of hearty fare

Red 13.5

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 37.5cl £9.85

An exciting revival of a classic style It has the best characteristics of traditional California and old world Bordeaux Features aromatic tiers of ripe mulberry, spiced black tea and purple floral notes Ample at its core with flavors of cherry, chocolate and roasted hazelnut, all contributing to tremendous depth, leading to a long and unstinting finish Pairs beautifully with lamb chops, roasted duck, cassoulet, black and blue burger, grilled aubergine and aged Cheddar

Red 14.5

Angels and Cowboys Proprietary Red 2021 75cl £22.40

Rich, juicy California red, all dark cherry, raspberry and fig, with a cascade of melted dark chocolate and a powder of spice

Red 14.5

Bogle Family Vineyards Phantom 2020 75cl £22.40

Petite Sirah 49% - Zinfandel 49% - Mourvedre 2% Three distinctive grape varieties that combine lush berry and fierce spice into this wine Deeply luscious and succulent blackberries, aromas of anise and sweet fig are embraced by touches of black pepper Subtle notes of cloves and vanilla emerge and complement the concentrated fruit character of the wine Bottle age will integrate the three unique varieties more, although we suspect most people won't wait to enjoy this wonderful wine! By the way, it gets even better with air, so we recommend decanting it

Red 14.5

Bonterra Zinfandel 2018 75cl £15.72

Aromas of black raspberry and cherry fruit, and notions of pepper and minerals on the nose A decadent palate of briery fruit, vanilla, brown spice and toasty oak is framed by polished tannins and a rich, lingering finish

White 14

Bonterra The Roost Biodynamic Chardonnay 2022 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Bonterra The Roost Biodynamic Chardonnay 2022 75cl £24.56

A lavish, out there, Californian Chardonnay, exhibiting ripe peach, pear and lemon curd character, together with unmistakable toasty oak notes It lazily gloop-gloops from the bottle, and its lavish, unctuous texture caresses and soothes the palate like extra virgin olive oil With the trend in recent years towards lean and austere Chardonnays, encountering one that readily displays its true colours is a rather refreshing change

Red 14

Louis M Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 75cl £21.59

The wine offers ripe flavours of blackcurrant and jammy black plum accented by notes of caramelised oak and sweet spice Currant and jammy black plum accented by notes of caramelised oak and sweet spice

White 13.5

Cannonball Chardonnay 2022 75cl £17.33

Cannonball does a beautiful job of making a friendly, easygoing and fun Chardonnay, with scents of ripe golden apples, juicy pears and just a hint of citrus Soft, juicy and creamy-textured, this is a wine that is more about the fruit than the oak - the wood is there, but very much in the background Overall, the impression is of orchard fruits, ripened to perfection in the benign California sunshine

Red 13.5

Bonterra 2022 Merlot, Bonterra Organic Vineyards 2022 75cl £18.22

Red 14.5

Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 75cl £17.81

Aromas of bright cherry, currant, and raspberry with notes of toasted oak and vanilla The palate displays flavours of cherry and currant with a lingering and thoughtful finish Good structure, a moderate weight, polished tannins and a balanced acidity

White 14

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc 2021 75cl £29.69

With aromas of freshly-sliced lemons and green herbs, opening out to pink grapefruit, passionfruit, guava and honeydew melon as it sits in the glass, Stag's Leap Aveta is a generous style of Sauvignon Blanc—closer to fine white Bordeaux than to Sancerre Fresh yet textured, it has understated mineral character underpinning the generous fruit, creamy roundness and lovely, sustained length on the palate Clearly made by a premium producer with great attention to detail, this is really delicious

White 14.5

Directors Cut Chardonnay 22 Coppola 75cl £23.82

Rose 12.5

Angels and Cowboys Angels and Cowboys Rose 2023 75cl £21.68

Angels and Cowboys Rose is classic 'Oeuil-de-Perdrix' ('partridge eye') style, meaning a delicate blush colour Aromas are minerally and ethereal with hints of grapefruit and spicy floral notes In taste, the wine is lively and racy with flavors of citrus blossoms and minerals On the palate, this rose displays vibrant acidity, with a full and silky mid palate, deliciously great length and just enough texture to enjoy with or without food