USA

The United States has established itself among the world's great fine wine-producing countries, with California at its heart. From Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, its diverse climates and landscapes produce an extraordinary range of styles, combining ripe fruit and concentration with an increasing emphasis on freshness, balance and expression of place.

Napa Valley is internationally renowned for powerful, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, while the cooler vineyards of Sonoma and California's coastal regions excel with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Further south, the Santa Cruz Mountains are home to Ridge Vineyards' legendary Monte Bello, one of California's great Cabernet-based wines and a remarkable expression of its high-altitude limestone soils. Ridge also champions California's historic vineyards through wines such as Geyserville and Lytton Springs, distinctive old-vine field blends centred on Zinfandel that demonstrate another side of the state's winemaking heritage.

Beyond California, Oregon's Willamette Valley has established an international reputation for elegant, cool-climate Pinot Noir, while Washington State produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Riesling. New York's Finger Lakes is another important source of Riesling, with its cool climate producing vibrant, aromatic wines characterised by freshness and precision.

From historic old-vine vineyards to profound, cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, the finest American wines now comfortably rank alongside the world's greats.