My recent experience with getting to know the Virginia and Michigan wine worlds got me to thinking about this question: What US wine regions that you have limited exposure to are of most interest to you? Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona were all near the top of my list, so I'm very excited to have had the opportunity to learn more about each of them. Others that are high up on the list right now are New York and Georgia (due largely to the writings of my friend Joe from Suburban Wino).
So, what are your national wine curiosities?
Also, if you are interested in Michigan wine, you should definitely check out the interview that I posted earlier today with winemaker Adam Satchwell of Shady Lane Cellars. Adam did a great job of educating me on his corner of the wine world.
Knowing what may be unfamiliar territory to most, Michigan that is, because I make wine here I would have to say that Long Island in NY has not been a focus of enough of my attention. That goes for North Carolina also, with wineries like Childress it appears they have some sort of thing going on there. And how about Colorado? I’ve heard some interesting things about their Rieslings. It’s a big wide wine world out there these days and clearly some regions are more successful than others.
I’m interested in learning about Texas – but from what I understand little to no of their wine is exported from the state… I’ll just have to take a vacation there!
Colorado and North Carolina would both be interesting. I hadn’t really thought about Colorado, but I have heard about their Riesling as well.
Yeah, Texas doesn’t distribute out of state very much right now. I think us Texans pretty much drink all of the wines that classify as Texas appellation, so there isn’t much left to export. Hopefully we can step up our grape production in the near future, which should make it a better business decision to export to other states. We definitely need to figure out a way to get you some Texas wine though.
I’m really interested in Arizona (inspired by Blood into Wine) and I keep hearing a ton about Michigan but I never knew MI had wine until I joined Twitter. I’ve never actually seen wine from either area, so it’s intriguing.
Plus, Massachusetts wines are always interesting to me. I think they’re of a much higher quality that I ever expected and I’m from here. I think people would be surprised if they haven’t been already.
I’ve heard about Massachusetts wines too.
Ok, my admission is that I want to try wine from every state.
I’m actually really interested in wine from Texas (thanks to you), Virginia, and New York (which I’ll try this summer when I’m there).
I’ve recently tried wine from Arizona and they’re making some really good juice.
Good question, Ben!
I agree, Arizona seems to be making some nice wine, based on my limited experience. I’m glad that they are getting some publicity from Maynard James Keenan’s involvement in winemaking.
Hopefully we can introduce you to some Texas vino pretty soon.
Missouri!
Norton/Cynthiana from there is spectacular!
When Autumn hits I start wanting to go to Missouri to get some really good Cynthiana/Norton. Also too I had an unbelievable Chamborcin (yes Chamborcin) from Missouri when I ordered about 6 bottles from a store that ships MO wines.
Wish I had the time I would be up in Missouri at least once a year!
Ooh! Nice one. Hadn’t thought about Missouri. Both of those sound really interesting. Thanks for the comment!
Hey Ben, would love to know all the states you have had wine from. For me its 15 different states…
Hokie Smokes! How can I have missed Texas!
Yeah, I’m pretty excited about some of the wines being produced here in Texas. Biggest problem at this point is just not having enough Texas grape supply to meet the demand. Hopefully this will be improving. I think we are also going through that process you described of figuring out what varieties really make sense for our climate and soil. Some exciting things going on with Mediterranean varieties here right now.
I actually haven’t tasted from as many states as I would like, but I’m rapidly remedying that situation. I have tasted the standards, California, Washington, Oregon, and then I’ve had Texas of course, and then Arizona, Virginia, and next Tuesday I get to try Michigan. I’ve also had a New Mexico wine, but I don’t remember much about it, and I’m ever so close to an arrangement to try some Georgia wine. My plan is to try to expand my horizons as much as possible this year, so hopefully I can add several additional notches soon.
There are some great wines being produced in every state. Very excited about the potential of Maryland, Georgia, Ohio, Idaho, and Colorado. I’ve tasted several wines this past year from the list above and was blown away by the quality. Cheers!
Virginia is at the top of my list. But I am also interested in New York and learning more about the Pacific Northwest wine region. The best part is discovering which grape variety is best suited to the region and then trying to discover some great values there.
I’m envious of your experience with wines from around the country. I hope to one day come close to having tasted wines from as many states as you. Thanks for the comment.
I have really enjoyed getting to try out some Virginia wines over the last month or so. I still have one more bottle of Rose from Virginia left to taste.
I am with you on discovering the varieties that are stars in different areas. It is so fun to try the wines that are really expressive of each state’s terroir.
I’ve had some Georgia wine… interesting stuff. I’d avoid Chateau Elan and go to the Dehlonoga (did I spell that right?) area. I second the Colorado vote – some of the highest vineyards in the country.
Nice! After the response today, Colorado has moved up on my list. I actually lived in the Denver area for about five years, but I am sorry to say that I wasn’t really interested in wine back then. Bummer.
Nice discussion-starter, Ben! I’d probably have to go with ice wines from Ontario/Finger Lakes region in NY. Honestly though, it’s all those unfamiliar European regions that I’m more curious about, because while I’ve heard that people grow grapes in all 50 states, if great wine begins in the vineyard, and the vineyard is subject to climate, most places in the US simply don’t have the climate to product great fruit. But who knows, I could be proven wrong . . . or of course in 50 years global warming will mean that we’re all raving about great Maine cabernet!
Thanks for the comment Nate. I agree with you to a point. Although there are wines being made in all 50 states, not all 50 have quality grapes being produced. That being said, I think that there are some surprising areas of the US that are producing some quality wines. I think it’s just a matter of finding the grapes that will do well in each state. For example, Texas is producing some really nice Tempranillo and Sangiovese wines right now, and I hear Michigan is producing some mean Riesling, and the list goes on.
BTW, I’m with you on Europe too. There are a ton of European regions that I need to explore further, but I guess that’s a topic for another post.
I can get you one from CT!
Hi Ben
I realize this is an older post, but it caught my attention–especially in light of my current Maryland Wine obsession. I had no idea when moving up here what an up and coming market is running through this state. So my question is whether you have sampled any Maryland wines and if so what your thoughts are. Just curious…oh, and hey, if this wine store actually works out, I might be sending some samples your way to get your perspective and pick your brain on inventory.
Hey Sarah,
Good thing I have been so vigilant in monitoring my comments, eh?
I haven’t had Maryland wine, but I would love to try it. I am a big fan of trying wine from different areas. Right now my experience has been limited to California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Idaho and Georgia. Still a lot of states left to try.