Daily Wine Tidbits-AVA

So, how do you know which American wines are of the highest quality? You should keep AVA's in mind. AVA stands for American Viticultural Area, and it is a specific grape growing area within a state or region recognized by and registered with the federal government(comparable to France's AOC, Appellation d'Origine Controlee). Examples of AVA's are Napa Valley in California, Columbia Valley in Washington State and the Finger Lakes district in New York. Also, different AVA's have different climates are known for producing high quality grape varietals that should also be kept in mind when choosing your wine. Napa Valley is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Finger Lakes is known for its Riesling and Santa Barbara in California is known for its Merlot. Just another thing to keep in mind when choosing your wine!