by Beatriz Sylvain

Created on: May 20, 2009

Move over Europe and South America, for Napa Valley and small vineyards will be taking over for now on. One will be surprised by the quality American vineyards are producing for the last five years especially. I have visited 12 different countries and I consider myself to be a food and wine enthusiast. I can't count how many bottles of wine I have in storage or how many I have gone through the month. I don't drink everyday. I am part Italian and I believe good wines should be shared with others. Hopefully good friends, otherwise family will do too.

I considered myself to be a wine snob. I used to drink only Italian or French wines. I would ignore even good Argentineans or great Chileans. The only exception was for Port wines. I say I was snob, because I didn't give enough time or should I say palate to the American wines. Well, they have won me over. Every month I am delighted discovering a new American wine or a special reserve. I am luck to have a wine dealer close by who provides the local community with wine education and tastings monthly.

Of course, Napa Valley wines reign on the top of my list, but we got to pay attention to small vineyards in the Northeast and even some north from Napa Valley in Oregon and Washington State which deals with constant weather challenges. You may find interesting that some vineyards in Maine are actually combining blueberries to their wines. There is a small vineyard in Camden, Maine that makes the whole process very exquisite.

Now more than ever Americans should choose to buy American to stimulate the economy, some may even say that is the patriotic thing to do. I say buy it because they are one of the best. You can't make me spend $100+ on a bottle of champagne just because it comes from France. Napa makes unbelievable sparkling wines at affordable prices that may go well not only in special occasions, but also with your daily meal. Who doesn't love to order a split with your meal? It just gives a je ne sais quoi to the whole meal experience, even if you are eating at home by yourself.

Don't forget to ask your wine dealer for a list of the top rated American wines. If you don't have a wine dealer, go to a specialized market. Although, many supermarkets are making the whole wine experience much more enjoyable by even doing some tastings during the month or featuring local and American wine. Don't underestimate your local grocery story or you may become a wine snob like I was.

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