Flying the flag for American wines on Thursday
These days, the American wine scene is one of the most exciting anywhere - but its beginnings were not auspicious. Early European settlers to the Americas quickly discovered that palatable wine could not be made from the abundant wild vines, so instead they began to import and plant European vines. These almost all failed, falling victim to unknown pests and diseases. Then an even bigger disaster ensued; the phylloxera aphid was accidentally imported back to Europe. While American vine stock was resistant to its depredations, the aphid devastated European wine production through the second half of the nineteenth century. Eventually, a remedy was found; grafting European vine heads onto resistant American root stock.
Not only did this model save European vineyards, it also proved to be the key to unlocking the potential of the Americas for high-quality viticulture. Soon, entrepreneurial American viticulturists were experimenting with each and every kind of terroir and grape variety. For a long time, of course, their European counterparts looked down on these efforts - if they even considered them at all. It wasn't until the shock across-the-board victory of American over French wines in the now famous/infamous Judgement of Paris in 1976 that popular perceptions of American wines really shifted.
US Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, so it is the perfect moment to take a look at the bounty the USA now has to offer the world of wine. To help you do so, we've put together a mixed case. We're offering money off and free delivery on 6 American all-stars.
Please note, we can arrange wine deliveries anywhere in the UK mainland in 1-2 days (now including Saturdays). And just one more thing, while we've got your attention... with increased online shopping and social distancing rules reducing capacity in courier hubs and delivery depots, the delivery supply chain is going to be more stretched than ever this year. So, with this in mind, please consider placing any Christmas orders you're planning as early as possible to ensure you get your wine in time for this year's festivities, whatever they may be!
£260 for the 6-bottle case: you save £34.74, including free delivery!
N.V. Roederer Estate Quartet: If anyone knows about sparkling wine, it's Champagne Roederer. While some Champagne houses are buying up tracts of the south of England, Roederer have instead brought their expertise to California's Anderson Valley. Quartet is a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend, with all the finesse of a classically-made Champagne.
2017 Freeman Chardonnay Ryo-fu Russian River: North of San Francisco, Pacific fogs and ocean breezes make Russian River Valley the perfect place to cultivate cool-climate Chardonnay. Zesty flavours of lime and apricot with a fine touch of toast and vanilla.
2017 Ridge Lytton Springs: Ridge is one of the greatest names in American winemaking. They have been on the scene for over 50 years, and were part of the winning line-up in the Judgement of Paris. The Lytton Springs Vineyard lies in Dry Creek Valley, and is mainly planted to California's emblematic grape varieties Zinfandel and Petite Syrah. Purple fruit, spice, cedar and tobacco.
2017 Cristom Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard: The Willamette Valley is the powerhouse of Oregon winemaking, responsible for some astonishingly good Pinot Noir; the volcanic soils bring a twist to Pinot Noir that you just don't find elsewhere. Cristom are one of the very best producers the valley has to offer, making wines that are complex, surprising - and gloriously hedonistic.
2016 Shafer TD-9 Napa Valley: Napa Valley is the American wine region par excellence, mainly making big, full-bodied reds. Shafer's TD-9 is a complex blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. It's big, deep, layered, and delicious.
2016 Gramercy Syrah Lagniappe Columbia Valley: Behind the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, Washington State's Columbia Valley is a very dry place; Rhone varieties excel here. The Gramercy Lagniappe Syrah is packed with blue fruit, herb and smoked meat aromas, in a style that is as much Old World elegance as New World exuberance. /NT
Offered subject to remaining unsold
