WINE | AMERICAN WINE
WASHINGTON WINES ARE RIDING HIGH Industry insiders have long known that Washington wines offer great mileage for the dollar , but now the public is catching on too .
“ The focus with our Washington wines has always been a commitment to quality ,” says Brett Scallan , senior vice president of marketing for Ste . Michelle Wine Estates , whose stable of Washington
Rosé continues to be a big growth story within the wine category . labels also includes 14 Hands and Columbia Crest . Scallan emphasizes the point by adding , “ Quality is the cornerstone of our approach that has fueled both our own growth and the growth of Washington as a whole .” Jonas in Wisconsin agrees . “ Washington is putting out solid wines across the board ,” he affirms . “ With more wines coming out at higher price points and prominent brands like Charles Smith racking up great scores , our customers have more confidence in the region than ever .”
DRY ROSÉ AND SPARKLING As to what the future holds for new American wines down the road , Kreston expects to see more dry rosés emerge in the premium tier and more sparkling wines under $ 25 , as American vintners scramble to compete on two recent trends that have been led by imports to date - Italian Prosecco and French rosé from Provence .
“ Rosé continues to be a big growth story within the wine category - and while it ’ s doing well on-premise , it ’ s off-premise where the growth rates have been staggering ,” he says . “ Usually restaurants set the trends that retail stores then follow , but it seems to be the other way around for this dynamic product segment - perhaps because the distinctive color is so eye-catching .”
Of course , neither sparkling nor dry rosé have been specialties of California , mainly because both styles taste best when made from fruit that ’ s not fully ripe . So , perhaps these are opportunities for other regions ? After all , there are wineries in most of the fifty states , the bulk of whose vineyards have a harder time achieving full ripeness than sunny California .
With the local food trend brightening the outlook for “ local wines ” around the nation , and with a taste for lighter , brighter wines picking up speed , it ’ s surely only a matter of time before someone starts making more affordable bubbles . Or premium pink wines that are fully dry and can proudly claim to be made in America . •
Author and sommelier MARNIE OLD is one of the country ’ s leading wine experts . Formerly the director of wine studies for Manhattan ’ s esteemed French Culinary Institute , she is best known for her visually engaging books published by DK – the award-winning Wine : A Tasting Course and He Said Beer , She Said Wine .
42 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2017