Made in America... Wine

Let's break this down. Americans are the top consumers of wine. We love wine. We have made it a social drink, one for sealing deals at corporate lunches, the drink to celebrate occasions, wine is part of religious ceremonies, etcetera, etcetera.

My main goal of this article is to give you a bit of a road map of American Wine. I'll take you on a road trip of sorts, through this great nation of ours, and introduce to you some of the vineyards and wineries of note.

One great factoid before we start, according to Wikipedia, "There are nearly 3,000 commercial vineyards in the United States, and at least one winery in each of the 50 states."

Don't worry, I will not take you through all 3,000 of them. I just want to familiarize you with just a few in the northern part, mid-west, south, and west coast. This way, in your travels you may try some of the great wines produced in those regions.

It's pretty amazing to think that you could go to any state and find a winery to visit.

I have been a judge for the "American Fine Wine Competition" here in Miami, for the past 5 years, held at FIU (Florida international University). This competition just celebrated its tenth year in existence. It employs a four-member panel consisting of the best possible mix of industry professionals. It's strictly nonbiased judging. Wines are poured in private and then taken to the judging tables to be judged. You would be amazed at the wines, as a judge, that you blindly taste, and are amazing from all over the country.

I bring this up because it gave me the chance to taste, and judge wines from states that you don't readily hear about like; VA, OH, MN, and MI, PA producing first class wines.

Each region seems to have its own best varietal that it produces. Virginia, for example, has produced some incredible Cab Franc. New York, in the upstate area, is known for some great whites, like Riesling and ice wine. Ohio has some great Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

So that brings me back to that road trip we are about to take. Get comfortable, pour your favorite glass of wine (since we are not actually driving) and let's go!

I will start us off with the state of Pennsylvania.

A few Vineyards and Wineries of note in the Lake Erie AVA:

• Mazza Vineyards/North Lake, PA
• Conneaut Cellars Winery/Conneaut Lake, PA
• Some from the Long Island NY AVA
• Bedell Cellars/Cutchogue, NY
• Duck Walk Vineyards/Water Mill, NY

Ohio AVA Wineries and Vineyards

• Harmony Hills Vineyards/Bethel, OH
• Kincaid Ridge Estate Winery/Ripley, OH

Virginia AVA

• Blenheim Vineyards/Charlottesville, VA
• Breaux Vineyards/Purcellville, VA

Georgia AVA

• Habersham Winery/Helen, GA
• Montaluce Winery and Estates/Dahlonega, GA

Arizona AVA

• Echo Canyon Winery/Sedona, AZ
• Charon Vineyards/Vail, AZ

Think of visiting wineries and vineyards every time you travel anywhere in the U.S., or globally.

It adds a nice element to your next vacation.

Listen to my radio show "Wine Talk with Stu the Wine. Guru" on here.

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As I always say: "If it's time to pour the wine, it's time for Stu The Wine Guru. Drink up!"