The US is a hot market for wine consumption and it is growing each year as more Americans find themselves buying bottles at the local grocer, wine and liquor stores. What once was a market, saturated with overly sweet wine coolers and large jug wines (remember the White Zinfandel craze of the 80′s?) has changed to favor boutique wines from all over the country. But they don’t have to be expensive to be good, you can find a lot of great wines that are affordable.

Besides an increase in wine consumption, there has also been an increase in winemaking. In fact, in many states throughout the country, new wineries are opening everywhere. Outside of California, the largest wine producing state in the US with 2,900 wineries in existence, there are many other states where the wine industry is growing very fast. We are all becoming more familiar with the wonderful Pinot Noir coming out of the Willamette Valley in Oregon or the German-style wines coming out of Missouri. Michigan’s wine growing area is situated close to Lake Michigan and the Traverse city area, which has a microclimate favorable to growing such varietals as Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and more. So you get the picture. Wine regions are developing all over the country but they still have yet to overshadow California.

And it seems that every time you pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV, someone is spouting off about the great health benefits of wine (mainly red wine) which could be the reason that the US is poised to become the number one in wine consumption in the world by 2008, so say the French who are exporting nearly 25% of their wines to the US. And on the east cost, the wine of choice is still more in the French, Italian, or Spanish category, but back on the west coast, it’s California or Oregon. Overall the west coast is doing fairly well as lapping up Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara and the rest of the California wines as well as Oregon, Washington and Australia, New Zealand and South America’s.

So now you’re completely confused – what wine should I buy? First, what is a price range that you feel comfortable with? Trader Joes became famous selling ’2 buck chuck’, a staple they get from Charles Shaw. But you can’t bring that to a dinner party. While there are some decent wines on the TJ shelves, you would do best to head to your local wine bar or wine store. These are located in just about every decent sized city. These people usually spend the day pouring tastings for customers, getting feedback on the wines and, of course, tasting the wines themselves. When you walk in, perplexed with what it is you want to buy, you will most likely be greeted by some general questions such as whether you prefer ‘dry’ or ‘sweet’ wines, ‘heavy’ or ‘light’ and so on. Next, there will be a glass in front of you with a small sample to taste and before you know it, the perfect wine for the occasion if hand with you as you leave the store en route to your next event.