Forgotten Wines of America: A Deep Dive into Regional Treasures
In this episode of 'After Wine School,' hosts Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe embark on a road trip exploring the often overlooked and forgotten wines of America. The discussion spans a variety of regions, starting with Virginia's troubled history with Vitus VRA vineyards and the rise of Norton and Petit Verdot grapes. They move north to highlight Finger Lakes' Riesling and lesser-known Georgian grape Saperavi, then delve into Pennsylvania's history with grapes like Chambourcin and Barbera. The conversation continues with New Jersey's traditional French-inspired wines, Vermont's hybrid grape success stories, Texas' renowned Tempranillo, and several rich yet underappreciated grape varieties in California. The episode wraps up with mentions of emerging wine regions like Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona, encouraging wine enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the diverse and rich heritage of American wines.
00:00 Introduction to Forgotten Wines of America
01:32 Virginia: The Birthplace of American Wine
05:24 Exploring the Finger Lakes Region
07:07 Pennsylvania's Rich Wine History
11:09 New Jersey and Vermont: Hidden Gems
12:46 Texas: The Tempranillo Territory
13:53 California's Forgotten Grapes
19:06 Shoutouts to Other Wine Regions
20:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
