It's a pity there are so few American wines available here as many of them are drop-dead gorgeous. True, many are extraordinarily expensive but those that find their way here are usually of astonishing quality and value for money. Be bold and take a chance, some of the world's finest wines are currently being made in the USA.
2011 Chalk Hill Chardonnay
Having had the privilege of tasting some of the world's greatest chardonnays, including a single bottle priced at around $2000, this at a fraction of the price, is one of the finest. Utterly sublime. From one of California's benchmark producers from the north-eastern hills of Sonoma County, quality is always the Chalk Hill's focus. It has balance, texture and flavours of baked apple, pear, marzipan and whispers of orange blossom and nutmeg. Exquisitely fresh and seductively complex, it's a wine that's world class. Unbelievable at $69. see EuroVintage.co.nz
2010 Sebastiani Zinfandel Sonoma County
Zinfandel is a quintessential American grape and does particularly well in Sonoma County. The 2010 vintage created a concentrated berry and intense fruit-forward flavour thanks to a cooler-than-average summer, meaning the grapes stayed on the vine longer. With big flavours of raspberries and white pepper, this is a medium-bodied wine with layers of cedar, coffee, blueberries and earl grey tea. Try with pasta or lighter meat. A bargain at $20.
