Unit 13 of 26 · Online wine course

American Wine Course

Napa, Sonoma, Oregon and Washington. 7 lessons · about 56 min

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The 7 lessons

  1. The USA at a glance: sunshine, grape names and big flavour

    Why European grapes failed in the humid East but thrived in sunny California, how Pacific fog cools the coast, and why American labels name the grape.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why European vines thrived in California, not the East
    • describe how the Pacific and the Cascades shape vineyards
    • read a grape-named label and expect a ripe style
    about 8 min

  2. The grapes of the USA: the names to know

    American wine is usually labelled by grape, so learn Cabernet, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, and the story of White Zinfandel, and you can read much of the shelf.

    You will be able to:

    • describe how America's four key grapes taste
    • explain what makes a Chardonnay buttery or crisp
    • tell the story of White Zinfandel and two-name grapes
    about 8 min

  3. Napa Valley: Cabernet country

    Napa is a small, warm valley that makes ripe, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, and its labels show a price ladder from everyday bottles to rare cult wines.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why Napa's south is cooler than its north
    • describe a typical Napa Cabernet and its flavours
    • place a Napa Cabernet on the price ladder
    about 8 min

  4. Sonoma and the cool California coast

    On California's coast the cold Pacific sets the style: vines nearer the sea are usually cooler, which gives fresher Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

    You will be able to:

    • explain how the cold Pacific cools California's coast
    • match Sonoma and Central Coast areas to their wines
    • describe the price steps from everyday to famous
    about 8 min

  5. Oregon and Washington: one mountain range, two climates

    How the Cascade Mountains split the north-west: cool, wet Oregon makes Pinot Noir, while sunny, dry Washington grows ripe but fresh Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.

    You will be able to:

    • explain how the Cascades give two states different climates
    • explain why Oregon's cool valley suits Pinot Noir
    • match the north-west's key grapes to their places
    about 8 min

  6. Reading an American label: place, grape, year

    How to read a real American bottle: why the place line beats the brand name, what each name promises, Oregon's stricter rules and the back-label clues.

    You will be able to:

    • tell a brand name from an appellation line
    • recall the minimum shares for place, grape and year
    • read an American front and back label
    about 8 min

  7. California and beyond: what to buy and why

    A buyer's tour of American wine: choose by grape and place, the best picks from California, Oregon and Washington, food matches and a shopping list.

    You will be able to:

    • choose an American wine by its grape and place
    • match west-coast wines to steak, salmon, curry and barbecue
    • plan an American shopping list from treat to everyday
    about 8 min

Related reading on Winelingo: Wine of United States