Our wines from the United States

In the United States , 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid- 19th century , particularly in the Sonoma and Napa regions. By the early 20th century, there were 800 wineries.

From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry, so that by 1933, there were only 140 wineries left producing wine. It was not until the 1960s that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was primarily known for producing fortified wines (Port style). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.).

In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". It saw the greatest French wines pitted against the newcomers from the United States. On May 24, an unexpected result shook the world of wine, as to everyone's surprise, it was the United States that came out on top. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public.

Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolizes the fame of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.