Appellation America's Regional Correspondents (myself included), embarked on a year-long search through North America’s widely diverse wine growing regions and discovered some most interesting palette pleasers, representing a style of winemaking focused primarily on "taste of place."
There are many unique winemaking styles from when and how to press grapes, to the selection of fermentation yeasts, and temperatures. Appellation America’s Regional Correspondents, all widely respected wine journalists based throughout the nation, focused their Wine Recommendations on a style of wine making unique to the wine-growing region itself--its history, micro-climate, or terrior.
The purpose of this list is not to
dictate what one ‘should’
drink. Appellation America encourages wine lovers to use this list as
a map to taste their way across the abundantly diverse wine growing
regions in
North
America. And, just maybe, inspire further exploration into wines
within a
desired region.
Appellation
America’s Top Ten List for ’06:
Alma
Rosa Winery and Vineyards
2004 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard
Sta. Rita Hills, California
Price: $27.00
Augusta
Winery
2002 Norton "Cynthiana" Estate Bottled
Augusta, Missouri
Price: 18.99
Bodegas
Aguirre Winery and Vineyards
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Estate
Livermore Valley, California
Price: $34.00
Gypsy
Canyon Vineyards
NV Angelica, Santa Rita Creek Vineyard
Sta. Rita Hills, California
Price: $120.00 (375ml)
Inwood Estates Vineyards
2005 Palomino-Chardonnay
Texas
Price: $49.50*
L.
Mawby
Talismøn 'Brut', Estate
Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Price: $27.00*
Peconic
Bay Winery
2001 Merlot
North Fork of Long Island, New York
Price: $24.00
Smith-Madrone
Vineyards & Winery
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
Price: $40.00
Tondre
Wines
2003 Pinot Noir, Tondre Grapefield
Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Price: $43.00
Wolffer
Estate
2005 Late Harvest Chardonnay
Long Island, New York
Price: $37.00 (375ml)
I can vouch for the L.Mawby sparkler as it is one of three bottles from L. Mawby I bought a friend for christmas. cheers! For those who don't know, all they make is sparklers and I believe their sub label is M Lawrence and each bottle comes with a poem from the owner on it.
Posted by: Bryan | December 27, 2006 at 06:46 PM