Tag Archives: American Wine

Stavanger Tasting of American Wines

AmCham News, Food & Beverage

Stavanger Tasting of American Wines

AmCham recently hosted journalists, members, and partner representatives for a tasting of American wines at Rosenskildehuset in Stavanger. There, member importers Engelstad, Haugen-Gruppen, Palmer Group, VCT, and West Coast Wines presented over 30 unique vintages currently on the Norwegian market, including newly launched products. In addition, AmCham proudly presented two wines not (yet) available in Norway.

Our Master Class on California wines was led by acclaimed Fish&Cow Head Sommelier  Jonathan Robinson Lundgren and included:

  • Diora La Belle Fête Rosé of Pinot Noir
  • Lieu Dit Chenin Blanc
  • Tyler Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
  • Tyler Mae Estate Chardonnay
  • Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Noir
  • Francis Ford Coppola Directors Sonoma County Pinot Noir
  • Bonterra Sauv. Blanc Org.
  • Bonterra The McNab Cab
  • Clos Du Val 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

Full List of Wines Presented 

AmCham and our member wine importers enjoy opportunities to jointly inform on American wines. We look forward to future tastings with journalists, partners and members!

Detailed wine remarks from guests found here.

US Wines in Norway

In collaboration with member importers, AmCham works to increase knowledge and accessibility of American wines in Norway. US wines’ market share has increased considerably in the past years, due in large part to our members’ tireless efforts.

Vinmonopolet currently offers close to 25,000 products from 85 countries, including over 700 US reds and 300 whites. In 2022, US reds accounted for 9.4% of Vinmonopolet’s total red wine sales, while US white wines comprised close to 2% of such sales (Source: Vinmonopolet).  

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Past Wine Tastings

Journalist Tasting of American Wines

AmCham News

Journalist Tasting of American Wines

Kicking off the new year, AmCham hosted journalists and Vinmonopolet representatives for a tasting of American wines at ARTS Restaurant in Aker Brygge. There, member importers Anora, Engelstad, Haugen-Gruppen, Palmer Group, Robert Prizelius, Treasury Wine Estates, and VCT Norway presented over 40 unique vintages currently on the Norwegian market, including newly launched products. In addition, AmCham proudly presented four wines not yet available in Norway.

Our Master Class on California wine variations – led by Oslo Wine School’s General Manager Jane Nisbet Huseby – included:

  • Marimar Estate Blanc de Noir 2019
  • Robert Mondavi Winery Fume Blanc 2019
  • Tyler Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
  • Francis Ford Coppola Directors Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2019
  • Marimar Estate La Masia Pinot Noir 2018
  • Lieu Dit Cabernet Franc 2021
  • Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
  • Bonterra The McNab Cab 2019
  • Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
  • Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Merlot 2016

Full List of Wines Presented 

AmCham and our member wine importers enjoy opportunities to jointly inform on American wines. We look forward to future tastings with journalists, partners and members!

US Wines in Norway

Photo: Traci Milimo

In collaboration with member importers, AmCham works to increase knowledge and accessibility of American wines in Norway. US wine market share has increased considerably in the past years, due in large part to our members’ tireless efforts.

Vinmonopolet currently offers close to 25,000 products from 85 countries, including over 700 US reds and 300 whites. In 2022, US reds accounted for 9.4% of Vinmonopolet’s total red wine sales, while US white wines comprised close to 2% of such sales (Source: Vinmonopolet).  

Photo: Traci Milimo
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Past Wine Tastings

AmCham Journalist Wine Tasting: Together at Last!

AmCham News, Food & Beverage, , , , ,

AmCham Journalist Wine Tasting: Together at Last!

After a prolonged pandemic pause, the AmCham wine committee and staff were thrilled to once again host an in-person tasting of American wines. Focusing on journalists, five member importers helped to make the afternoon at Grand Hotel one to remember– Engelstad, Palmer Group, Robert Prizelius, Treasury Wine Estates, and VCT Norway. Together, they presented unique vintages currently on the Norwegian market, as well as some of their newly launched products.

Following the initial journalist component of the wine tasting, featuring roughly 50 unique American wines, invited guests were led through a series of six Orin Swift wines by Master of Wine Edouard Baijot. Baijot joined us virtually from France, where he leads the Fine Wines division of E.& J. Gallo Winery in Europe.

With half of the wines only available to on-trade purchasers, participants were happy to have the exclusive opportunity to taste:

  • Orin Swift Blank Stare 2019
  • Orin Swift Mannequin 2018
  • Orin Swift Abstract 2019
  • Orin Swift Machete 2018
  • Orin Swift Papillon 2018
  • Orin Swift Mercury Head 2018

After the master class on Dave Phinney’s Orin Swift, the room opened to  a limited number of members who happily tasted and discussed the many wines available. AmCham and our committee of member wine importers relish in these opportunities to share information on American wines and passionately discuss the multiple varietals and blends. We look forward to future tastings with journalists, trade, and members!

AmCham Virtual Tasting – Marimar’s Love for Wine

AmCham News, Food & Beverage,

AmCham Virtual Tasting – Marimar’s Love for Wine

For the second in our virtual wine tasting series, AmCham Norway and member company guests welcomed Marimar Torres and Lucas Gailhac from Marimar Estate Vineyards and Winery.

Sipping our way through her 2018 Albarino, 2017 La Masia Chardonnay, and 2017 La Masia Piniot Noir, participants heard from Marimar about coming from a family of winemakers, her move to the US, and her passion for every element of winemaking.

Marimar and Lucas’ walked AmCham members through Marimar’s search for, and settlement of, the perfect spot for her vineyard in a 1980’s Russian River Valley filled with apple orchards and very few grapes. Digging a little deeper, guests learned why her vineyards provide an ideal growing climate, the effects of the 2020 fires on her wines (resulting in total loss of the vintage), and the difference she sees between being sustainable and being organic.

Marimar’s love for wine, and her excitement over new varietals and experimentations, was evident and contagious, with each element of winemaking being of vital importance, from endemic fog to lack of pesticides, the resident honey bees, to barrel selection, which, Marimar noted, “should be a frame to a beautiful painting, adding layers of complexity.”

Only the Most Patient and Nurturing of Growers Can Do It

Thinking back to when she first moved from Spain to California in 1975, Marimar shared her first impressions. “When I went to America – they listened!” To her as a woman, to her as a winemaker, and to her as a foreigner. She said Americans are like sponges, always wanting to soak up new information – and the Americans and Norwegians alike were no exception at this exciting tasting.

When I went to America – they listened!

Marimar Torres

Tasters learned about aging wines, with brand manager Lucas advising everyone to buy a case of wine and taste one each year to learn the nuances. “Acidity is the wine’s weapon against oxidation,” he explained, detailing how winemakers decide when the grape is perfect ripeness, while sommeliers determine when the wine is at peak age.

Ending the tasting with what Lucas described as “an iron fist in a velvet glove,” the La Masia Pinot Noir was, in Marimar’s perfect summation, “yummy!”

Previous Gatherings

Bottle Shock, AVAs, Petite Sirahs, and Biodynamics!

January 31, 2020 No Comments

Featuring a diverse selection of wines from 12 US producers from California, Oregon, and Washington,  AmCham hosted a masterclass tasting for the Norwegian press and industry experts at US Ambassador Kenneth Braithwaite’s residence, Villa Otium.

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American Wine Club: Bonterra Tasting

September 13, 2019 No Comments

Visiting organic wine pioneer Bob Blue led the American Wine Club and AmCham members through an exclusive tasting of Bonterra Vineyards diverse range of organic and biodynamic wines. Founded in 1987, Bonterra is a rising star in the American wine industry and was named Wine Enthusiast magazine’s American Winery of the Year in 2016.

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American Wine Club Summer Tasting

July 2, 2019 No Comments

To welcome the start of summer, AmCham Norway hosted a casual summer wine tasting for members of the recently formed American Wine Club.

Including wines from California producers Joel Gott, Mandolin, and Ferrari-Carano, guests were able to sample a broad range of wines while also sampling an assortment of pastries provided by Hotel Bristol’s new in-house bakery. Along the way, attendees deepened their understanding of California wines and had the opportunity to experience vintages from a geographically diverse array of producers from the Golden State.

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DN Smak: Amerikansk vinklassiker i Norge for første gang

Business News, Food & Beverage,

I vinens verden finnes det mange legender. Enten det er en spesiell flaske, i en spesiell årgang eller en produsent eller et vinslott. Felles for dem alle er at de har oppnådd høyere priser enn sine naboer og ikke minst en høyt skattet berømmelse. En annen fellesnevner er også at den kommer fra den gamle vinverdenen, altså Europa.

Men det finnes unntak, og et av dem har aldri vært på Vinmonopolet. Før nå.

Les hele saken her.