Two Long Island Wines in Appellation America’s Top Ten Wines of 2006

Appellation America’s Regional Correspondents (myself included), embarked on a year-long search through North America’s widely
diverse
wine growing regions and discovered some most interesting palette
pleasers,
representing a style of winemaking focused primarily on "taste of
place."

There are many unique winemaking styles
from when and how
to press grapes, to the selection of fermentation yeasts, and
temperatures.
Appellation
America’s Regional Correspondents, all
widely respected wine journalists based throughout the nation, focused
their
Wine Recommendations on a
style of wine making unique to the wine-growing region itself–its
history,
micro-climate, or terrior.

The purpose of this list is not to
dictate what one ‘should’
drink. Appellation America encourages wine lovers to use this list as
a map to taste their way across the abundantly diverse wine growing
regions in
North
America. And, just maybe, inspire further exploration into wines
within a
desired region.

Appellation
America’s Top Ten List for ’06:

Alma
Rosa Winery and Vineyards
2004 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard
Sta. Rita Hills, California
Price: $27.00

Augusta
Winery
2002 Norton "Cynthiana" Estate Bottled
Augusta, Missouri
Price: 18.99

Bodegas
Aguirre Winery and Vineyards
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Estate
Livermore Valley, California
Price: $34.00

Gypsy
Canyon Vineyards
NV Angelica, Santa Rita Creek Vineyard
Sta. Rita Hills, California
Price: $120.00 (375ml)

Inwood Estates Vineyards
2005 Palomino-Chardonnay
Texas
Price: $49.50*

L.
Mawby
Talismøn ‘Brut’, Estate
Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
Price: $27.00*

Peconic
Bay Winery
2001 Merlot
North Fork of Long Island, New York
Price: $24.00

Smith-Madrone
Vineyards & Winery
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon
Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley, California
Price: $40.00

Tondre
Wines
2003 Pinot Noir, Tondre Grapefield
Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Price: $43.00