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Summary: Exclusive American Wine Master Class


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Summary: Exclusive American Wine Master Class

AmCham

Category: AmCham News

Wine journalist and Vinmonopolet experts participated as American wine expert, Keld Johnsen, presented an exciting list of American wines at AmCham’s West Coast Chardonnay and Reds exclusive master class tasting hosted at the recently opened American-themed restaurant, Smokestack.

 American Wine Master Class

With wines from the states of Washington, Oregon and California, Danish sommelier Johnsen — who has been importing and working with American wines since the 1980s — eloquently guided the participants through 16 variations, ranging from full-bodied reds to light, crispy whites.

Vineyards represented included 1000 Stories, Black Stallion, Bonterra, Charles Smith, Donkey & Goat, Francis Ford Coppola, J. Christopher, Joel Gott, Marimar Estates, Red Car, Sandhi Wines.

 

 American Wine Master Class

Particularly highlighting how American wines are increasingly popular in Europe, and especially Scandinavia, Johansen explained how US wines producers have benefitted from a varied climate and an eagerness to invest in wine production, which has seen their product competing with the best wines in the world.

“Americans have a mentality where they think ‘if we want to put a man on the moon, we will go and do that.’ And, ‘if we want to make the world’s best wine, we will do that.’ Therefore, as seen in numerous blind tests around the world, US wines are now among the best in the world in many categories,” Johnsen said. Increasingly, more and more capital expenditure is put into America’s vineyards to help develop these wines.

New Wave of American Wines

While presenting, Johnsen emphasized how there is a new wave of American wines that are shifting from previously high alcohol content to more balanced flavors, which match very well with Scandinavian cooking.

American Wine Master Class

Additionally, many producers are now shifting away from the standard oak-weighted flavors, traditionally embraced in the production of US chardonnays, to experiment with flavors for a global market.

Johnsen also praised the Norwegian market, citing several of the tasting wines as very exciting products and difficult to find in Denmark. As one attendee pointed out, there are now better price points on Pinots from California than the French Burgundy for comparable quality.

American Wine Master Class

AmCham wishes to thank all of our dynamic wine import members for their contribution to this master class, as well as all attendees, presenter Keld Johnsen and Smokestack restaurant for hosting us.

Fun fact: while European labeling laws for wine allow the terms primitivo and zinfandel to be interchangeable, US wine labeling laws do not, maintaining a distinction between these two related, yet different grapes.

Complete Wine Tasting List

Producer Wine Vinmonopol Nr  
Marimar Estates Albarino 2016 7162501  
Joel Gott Pinot Gris 8202901 (from May)  
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2013 3281901  
Red Car Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2015 3633901  
Marimar Estates Acero Chardonnay 2015 5692101  
Charles Smith Eve Chardonnary 2014 9422201  
Sandhi Wines Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2015 7882701  
Black Stallion Chardonnay 2016 7374501  
Bonterra Chardonnay 2016 4651601  
Red Wines
Black Stallion Los Carneros Pinot Noir 2014 7267701  
J. Christopher Williamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 2147601  
Marimar Estates Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2013 5737901  
Donkey & Goat Donkey & Goat Grenache Noir 2015 7807501  
1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel 2015 7857701  
Charles Smith Boom Boom Syrah 2013 9422301  
Francis Ford Coppola Vendetta Cabernet Malbec 2013 5494801  

 

Source: AmCham