Wine Essentials

12 Exceptional American Alternatives to European Wines

Learn all about how American wines measure up to their Old World counterparts in this guide.

By 

Jillian Dara

 |  June 14, 2025

Old World wine regions (European producers) have long overshadowed New World wines (the rest of the world), despite the latter regions’ proven craft of equally impressive expressions of European varieties. 

In the United States alone, there are plenty of notable regions making a name for themselves with similar styles to German Riesling, Northern Rhône Syrah, and Loire Valley Pinot Gris. Further, if you are partial to red Burgundy, you’ll want to seek out bottles from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. If you adore Rioja from Spain, the Rogue Valley in Oregon is a must-visit destination. 

There are many reasons why now is the time to start exploring varieties outside your comfort zone, from international winemakers planting roots stateside to U.S. winemakers studying abroad and bringing learned techniques back to their home soils. Many of these new regions are also in similar latitudinal positions, such as Rioja and the Rogue Valley, which means their climates are comparable. In addition, the U.S.’s wide variety of climates and landscapes means there’s a wonderful spot for most grape varieties. 

Don’t believe us? Check out the following list of 12 incredible American alternatives to your favorite European wines, and taste the similarities for yourself. 

Red Burgundy vs. Willamette Valley, Oregon 

Bourgogne, or Burgundy, is a region in east-central France that’s famous for both its red wine — red Burgundy — as well as its white Burgundy. Red Burgundy exclusively uses Pinot Noir grapes grown in the controlled Bourgogne appellation, which is famed for its unique and varied terroir. The red wine is medium- to full-bodied, with notes of black currant, dark cherry, and an umami mushroom savoriness, which also happens to be a characteristic of Pinot Noir wines from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. 

It’s likely because the Willamette Valley region is on the same latitude as Burgundy’s Côte d’Or (42°N), one of Burgundy’s 84 designated appellations. Both regions share a mild climate with cool, wet winters and dry summers that present sunny days and chilly nights. Producers to know include Antica Terra, Alexana Winery, and Domaine Serene.

Read More: Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet Sauvignon: Understanding the Key Difference

White Burgundy vs. Sonoma, California

In its native Burgundy, bottles of Chardonnay don’t include the grape name; it’s simply known as white Burgundy. The region’s most famous and specific style is Chablis, which comes from the eponymous appellation within Burgundy. In general, white Burgundy is beloved for its medium to full body, thanks to its time in oak barrels. This translates to a creamy mouthfeel (though in Chablis, the wine generally doesn’t spend time aging in oak barrels) that’s balanced by a pronounced minerality and freshness imparted by the region’s limestone soils. 

In Sonoma, California, vintners with high-elevation vineyards produce a standout U.S. equivalent of white Burgundy. The sea breeze and fog maintain the freshness and vivacity of the Chardonnay grapes, which mellows after aging in oak barrels. Producers like Flowers Vineyard & Winery, Hirsch Vineyards, and Marcassin Vineyards grow estate grapes at high-elevation vineyards — between 1,280 and 1,600 feet above sea level — within the Fort Ross-Seaview American Viticultural Area (AVA). Here, producers craft single-variety, mineral-driven Chardonnay expressions with quintessential notes of white Burgundy such as yellow apple, lemon cream, and a hint of wet metal that experts describe as flint and toasted bread.

Read More: 8 Types of Chardonnay From Around the World

Rioja vs. Southern Oregon 

As previously mentioned, Rioja in Spain and southern Oregon AVAs, including Rogue and Umpqua Valleys, are on the same latitude (29°S). Their latitude results in similar climates, making southern Oregon an ideal spot to grow Tempranillo, Spain’s native and signature red grape, which producers use to make Rioja wine, named after its designated (DO) region. Rogue Valley Tempranillo is juicy with balanced tannins, just like Rioja. Seek out styles from Red Lily Vineyards, Kriselle Cellars, and Abacela, as they’ve championed Tempranillo’s success story here for three decades.

German Riesling vs. Finger Lakes, New York

In 1958, Dr. Konstantin Frank planted the first European grape varieties in the eastern United States — in the Finger Lakes area of New York. He recognized the steep slopes and cool climate as exceptional characteristics for European varieties, especially Riesling, which would evolve to become the region’s most widely planted grape. 

Today, Riesling is still the grape that’s most associated with the region, which is more than 250 miles from New York City. Similar to its German counterparts, the Finger Lakes producers present a variety of Riesling styles that range from dry to sweet. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery led the charge with his first Riesling planting, and it remains an icon of the region today, as is Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. Newer labels like Hillick & Hobbs Estate (from renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs) and Hosmer Winery show that everyone wants a slice of this Riesling oasis. 

The Finger Lakes is also a premier destination for ice wine, since many Canadian labels that offer it aren’t available stateside. Ice wine is a type of dessert wine that producers traditionally make from Riesling grapes that they pick after a deep freeze in the winter, which increases their natural sugar content and results in a very sweet yet treasured wine. Try styles from Weis Vineyards and Wagner Vineyards. You can also find ice wine made from Vidal, a French hybrid grape. 

Read More: The 5 Main Types of Wine You Should Know

Bordeaux vs. Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley earned a name for itself with the premium production of Bordeaux-style red wines — wine crafted from grapes native to Bordeaux, France, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The two regions are similar because California’s Napa Valley has a Mediterranean climate and is rich in gravel soils, much like the Left Bank of France’s Bordeaux, which also has a warm climate due to maritime breezes and is famous for its Cabernet-forward wines.

Hundreds of Napa Valley producers focus on Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant wines, so it’s worth a trip to the region to navigate the many styles. Meanwhile, seek out bottles from Orin Swift Cellars, Realm Cellars, Opus One, Shafer Vineyards, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Stag’s Leap’s 1973 S.L.V famously outscored the French contenders in the Judgment of Paris, a wine competition held in 1976 to commemorate the United States Bicentennial, upending the wine world and legitimizing California red wines. 

Read More: 11 Luxury Napa Valley Winemakers to Know

Champagne vs. Sonoma, California

There are only seven approved grape varieties that can be used to produce Champagne in Champagne, France. In the U.S., however, there are no regulations, but Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — the two most popular grapes used to craft Champagne — happen to thrive in California’s Sonoma County. It’s here where U.S. sparkling wine shines with notable bubbly-dedicated producers such as Domaine Carneros and Schramsberg Vineyards, as well as standout bottles from other wineries, including Joseph Phelps Ovation and Chandon Étoile Brut. 

Sonoma’s cool-to-moderate climate is similar to that of Champagne, which allows for optimal growing and ripening conditions for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — and even other grapes used in sparkling wines, such as Pinot Meunier. The sparkling wines here are mainly produced using the traditional method, resulting in a dry, effervescent sip with a quality that stands up to Champagne.

Read More: A Guide to American Sparkling Wines: The Best Styles, Labels, and More, The Definitive Guide to Champagne and Sparkling Wine

Sancerre vs. Mendocino, California

Sancerre is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine from the Sancerre appellation of central France. As with many other titled wine regions in France, the wine bears the label of its designation because there are distinct regulations around the viticulture and production of the wine that result in an utterly unique style. In this case, Sancerre is famous for its bright acidity and minerality with subtle notes of lemon zest, fresh herbs, and, sometimes, elderflower. 

In the U.S., many of the Sauvignon Blanc–designated wines that mimic Sancerre’s definitive style are produced in Mendocino County in California. The region’s large diurnal shift (warm days and cool nights) preserves the freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc fruit. Some producers, like Heron, are purists when it comes to eschewing the use of oak; they opt for traditional fermentation in stainless steel vats, similar to those used in Sancerre. Other producers of 100% Sauvignon Blanc in a pure Sancerre style may use some neutral oak to allow for more body in the wine without the vanilla or oaky notes, including Read Holland Upton Vineyard and Sentium. 

Rias Baixas Albariño vs. Columbia Valley, Washington

Bone-dry (in other words, no residual sugar) and aromatic, Albariño is both a grape variety and a type of wine produced in northwest Spain and Portugal. Its high acidity, light body, and refreshing palate earned wine popularity in the U.S. by wine drinkers seeking something new and different from a typical dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio — and Washington’s Columbia Valley has emerged as a hot spot for this grape. The region is cool, and the unique terroir (including a majority of loess soils) offers the optimal growing conditions for aromatic yet elegant wines. Among the top producers of Columbia Valley Albariño are Palencia Winery, Alta Cellars, and Crayelle Cellars. 

Read More: 12 Types of Dry White Wine for Every Occasion

Provençal Rosé vs. Long Island, New York 

In the south of France, Provence is a region that experts revere for its classically pale and dry rosé wines, which producers make by crushing and soaking red grapes with their skins for a brief period before fermentation, creating the wine’s characteristic pink hue. They typically craft the light-bodied rosé using a blend of grapes that can include any or all of the most popular varieties in the region, including Cinsaut, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tibouren, and Carignan.  

In the U.S., New York’s Long Island AVA tends to focus on a similar style of light-bodied, crisp rosé, made possible by the maritime climate with long, hot summers moderated by the Atlantic Ocean, much like Provence, which is moderated by the Mediterranean Sea and the mistral wind. Producers to know include Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Croteaux Vineyards (which uses Merlot to produce one of its dry rosé wines), Ev&Em Vineyards, and Macari Vineyards. 

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Rosé Wine, The 10 Best Rosé Wines to Enjoy in Summer and Year-Round, The Best Rosé Champagne

Northern Rhône Syrah vs. Walla Walla Valley, Washington 

In Washington’s Walla Walla Valley, Rôtie Cellars, Abeja Winery, and Gramercy Cellars are setting the region’s stride for Rhône-style Syrah. The style, popularized by France’s Northern Rhône Valley, showcases a striking balanced trio of black fruit, savory notes, and white pepper spice — all with fine tannins. The Côte Rôtie in Northern Rhône is one of the most famous regions for the Syrah-dominant red wines, which producers make using Syrah grapes grown on steep southern-facing slopes, just like Walla Walla’s varying steep slopes across its canyons and mountain foothills. 

Read More: 11 Types of Dry Red Wine to Know and Love 

Loire Valley Pinot Gris vs. Willamette Valley, Oregon 

In central France’s Loire Valley, producers make Pinot Gris in varying levels of sweetness, ranging from dry to sweet, always with moderate acidity and a medium body. The former usually contains ripe melon and pear notes and aromas of white flowers that have made this region famous for such a complex offering, while still sipping dry. In Oregon, Willamette Valley has carved out a niche for the dry style of Pinot Gris, with expressions that are complex and floral and match the zesty acidity of the Loire’s style. The leading estates include The Eyrie Vineyards, Keeler, and King Estate. 

Region to Watch: Who Will Snag the Title for White Bordeaux? 

There isn’t a current, clear pocket of the U.S. where a majority of wineries are leading the charge with White Bordeaux (usually a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Ugni Blanc), but there are certainly a few impressive producers popping up on the map. 

In Madison, Virginia, Early Mountain Vineyards produces Intention, a divine blend of Sauvignon Blanc and, while not a native Bordeaux grape, Petit Manseng. Napa Valley–based Cliff Lede Vineyards’ Marla Blanc is simultaneously bright but round, and the Chaleur Blanc from DeLille Cellars, out of Washington state, features lush notes of juicy peach and a wonderful minerality that makes you second-guess the origin of this wine.

Read More: Bordeaux Wine Explained: Regions, Styles, and the Best Bottles to Buy

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