Stories of the wine-growing countries · USA

Wines from the USA

Here, we mainly know of California, yet wine is grown in every American state.

The USA produces around 17 million hectolitres of wine per year, placing it fourth worldwide. Wine is grown in every state (even in Hawaii and Alaska), but Californian wines dominate Swiss shelves, above all Zinfandel.

Production: approx. 17 million hectolitres, 4th place worldwide
Cultivation: In every state, even Hawaii and Alaska
Best-known origin: California
Leading grape variety: Zinfandel
Turning point: Prohibition from 1919

01/USA

The history of wine in the USA

In the mid-16th century, French Protestants, the Huguenots, began growing the first grapes, initially for their own needs. Trade only began 200 years later; a Franciscan monk expanded winegrowing to earn money for the abbey.

With further European immigrants came more knowledge, and the wine trade flourished in all states, until Prohibition was ratified in 1919: the production, transport and sale of alcohol were banned nationwide, and the growing regions were completely ploughed under. Only a few exceptions were still allowed to grow wine, for the church.

02/USA

Viticulture today

The various climate zones allow the production of many different wines. Many winemakers are still supported by experts from Europe today: American wines are becoming stylistically closer to European ones.

03/Grape varieties