GuildSomm International
GuildSomm International
Menu
  • Join
  • Sign in
  • Site
  • Search
  • User

Guides

  • Staff Training Guides
  • Entrenamiento del Personal
  • Study Guides
  • Expert Guides

Articles

  • Feature Articles
  • MW Perspectives

Media

  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Webinars

E-Learning

  • 101 Courses
  • Regional Courses

Resources

  • Producer Profiles
  • Vintages
  • Wine Law Compendium
  • Review Quizzes
  • Blind Tasting
  • Maps

Community

  • Discussions
  • Study Forums

Explore

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Beer
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Coffee & Tea
  • Eastern Europe
  • Eastern Mediterranean
  • Fortified Wines
  • France
  • Germany
  • Grape Varieties
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Portugal
  • Sake
  • Service & Hospitality
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Spirits
  • Studying & Certification
  • Switzerland
  • Tasting
  • United States
  • Viticulture & Vinification
  • Wine Business
  • About GuildSomm
  • GuildSomm Events
  • Industry Events
  • Find Members
  • Job Board
  • Shop
  • Study Guide Overview
  • Alsace, Jura, and Savoie
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • Beer, Sake, and Spirits
  • Beverage Service
  • Beverage Service (Spanish)
  • Bordeaux
  • Burgundy
  • Central and Southern Italy
  • Champagne and Sparkling Wine
  • China
  • Coffee
  • Eastern Mediterranean
  • Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
  • Greece and Eastern Europe
  • Loire Valley
  • Mead and Fruit Wine
  • North America
  • Northern Italy
  • Port, Sherry, and Fortified Wines
  • Portugal
  • Rhône Valley and Southern France
  • South Africa
  • South America
  • Spain
  • Tasting
  • Viticulture and Vinification
  • Wine Program Management

You are currently reviewing an older revision of this page.

  • History View current version

North America Study Guide

Table of Contents
  1. The United States
  2. History of Wine in America
  3. The AVA System & Labeling Requirements
  4. California
  5. California: The North Coast
  6. California: The Central Coast
  7. California: The Central Valley & Sierra Foothills
  8. Washington
  9. Oregon
  10. New York
  11. Other Winemaking Areas of the US
  12. Canada
  13. Ontario
  14. British Columbia
  15. Mexico
  16. Review Quizzes

The United States

The United States of America is the world’s fourth largest producer of wine, and claims the world’s fifth highest acreage of land under vine.

California produces approximately 90% of all American wine, followed by Washington, New York and Oregon. Due to a large population in comparison with traditional wine-producing countries, the US surpassed France in early 2011 to become the world’s largest wine consumer, yet in 2006 the country only ranked 38th in per capita consumption, as only 30% of the populace identifies themselves as wine-drinkers. In 2008 consumption surpassed 270 million cases, amounting to nearly three gallons a person. Unlike Europe, where wine consumption is generally decreasing with newer generations, younger Americans are driving the increase. Although Asian markets are rapidly developing, the US continues to provide the world’s most substantial market for fine wines, and, over the past 20 years, powerful American critics have become a cause célèbre, wielding influence on winemakers and markets worldwide.

BACK TO TOP

History of Wine in America

In the early 9th century, the Viking Leiv Eriksson brought his boat aground at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada, as the first European to definitively set foot upon the North American continent. He christened his discovery “Vinland”—a possible reference to the meadows before him, or, as recounted in the 13th century Saga of the Greenlanders, a tribute to the wealth of native grapevines. Unlike South America, several species of wild grapevine awaited the first colonists of North America, including

GuildSomm
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Incident Reporting
  • Contact
  • How to Pitch
  • Policies
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
App Store Google Play
© 2025 GuildSomm

Join to continue reading.

GuildSomm members enjoy exclusive access to educational content, classes, and a robust professional network. If you're a wine professional, GuildSomm is for you! Our members represent every facet of the industry and stage of a beverage career.

Join now