16. United States

Question 1

When did the modern period of sparkling wine production begin in the US and what producer was responsible for it?

Answer 1

1965 when Schramsberg produced a Blanc de Blancs Brut that was also the first commercial use of Chardonnay in an American sparkling wine

Question 2

What champagne producer spearheaded making traditional method sparkling wine in the US in the 1970s?

Answer 2

Moet & Chandon (Domaine Chandon, 1973)

Question 3

What states produce sparkling wine?

Answer 3

California produces more than half the sparkling wine in US, but made in several states, including Oregon and Washington.

Question 4

What are the typical aroma/flavor characteristics of US traditional method sparkling wines?

Answer 4

1. Medium intensity aromas - ripe apple, lemon
2. Toasty autolytic notes
3. Med + acidity
4. Typically Brut style
5. Primarily Pinot Noir & Chardonnay; some Meunier but less common than in Champagne

Question 5

What 2 other methods of sparkling wine are made in US besides traditional?

Answer 5

1. Tank

2. Pet Nat

Question 6

What regions in California usually grow grapes for premium sparkling wines and what are the climatic influences?

Answer 6

Predominately grown in coastal regions cooled by Pacific Ocean. Cool air from coast drawn towards hotter Central Valley, bringing cool breezes and/or fog to areas close to coast, along river valleys and gaps in coastal mountains. Ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with ripe flavors but high acidity and moderate alcohol.

Question 7

Name 6 varieties in addition to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that are used to make tank method wines in California

Answer 7

PPSSTV

1. Pinot Gris
2. Pinot Blanc
3. Sauvignon Blanc
4. Viognier
5. Syrah
6. Tempranillo

Question 8

What are the 3 most important areas for sparkling wine in California?

Answer 8

1. Anderson Valley (Mendocino County)
2. Russian River Valley (Sonoma)
3. Carneros (Sonoma/Napa)

Question 9

What are the climatic influences in the Anderson Valley? What is the premiere sparkling wine producer in this area?

Answer 9

Cool ocean breezes and fog conveyed along Navarro River Valley to moderate temperatures and reduce sunshine hours further up the valley. Wide diurnal temperature ranges - enable growers to maintain high acidity.
Roederer Estate

Question 10

What are the climatic influences in the Russian River, and what is the sparkling wine pioneer based there?

Answer 10

Cool breezes and fog provide cooling influences via the river and through Petaluma Gap in coastal mountain range.
Korbel

Question 11

Where does the Carneros region get its cooling influence, and what are 2 primary sparkling wine producers there?

Answer 11

From the San Pablo Bay.
Gloria Ferrer (founded by Freixenet) & Domaine Carneros (founded by Taittinger)

Question 12

Why is Napa Valley not one of the primary regions where premium sparkling wine is produced?

Answer 12

Most of Napa is too hot for growing grapes for sparkling wine.

Question 13

What are the climatic influences in Monterey?

Answer 13

The wide Salinas valley that is open to the ocean (which is particularly cold due to the deep canyon in the ocean floor near this part of the coast). Creates cool areas in the northern parts of Monterey with high diurnal temperature ranges.

Question 14

In what California county are large volumes of tank method and flavored sparkling wines produced?

Answer 14

San Joaquin

Question 15

What state is the 2nd largest producer of sparkling wine in the U.S., and what is its largest producer?

Answer 15

Washington; Chateau Ste Michelle

Question 16

What 2 climatic influences in Washington contribute to grapes with high acidity?

Answer 16

1. Northerly latitude

2. High diurnal range

Question 17

What styles of sparkling wines are made in Washington?

Answer 17

1. Blends from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Meunier
2. Blanc de Blancs
3. Blanc de Noirs
4. Single varietal wines from other varieties (e.g. Muller Thurgau, Riesling, Gewurztraminer)

Question 18

What is the largest producer of sparkling wine in Oregon?

Answer 18

Argyle

Question 19

What style of sparkling wine is more common in the U.S. than in other countries?

Answer 19

Blanc de Noirs

Question 20

When does the U.S. government permit the use of the Champagne term on US brands?

Answer 20

Brands established before 2006 if the geographic origin accompanies the term on the label (e.g. California Champagne)

Question 21

What are the 3 primary type of companies producing sparkling wine in the U.S.? Give an example of each

Answer 21

1. Specialist sparkling wine companies often founded by Champagne and Cava houses (e.g. Roederer Estate)
2. Wine companies that produce small batch, premium sparkling wines (e.g. Schramsberg)
3. Large wine companies that produce inexpensive sparkling wine as part of a larger range (e.g. Barefoot, Cupcake)

Question 22

Has Californian sparkling wine lost or gained market share over the past 15 years? Why?

Answer 22

Lost - due to imported, particularly Prosecco. Millennials less bound to American brands and perceive foreign wines as more authentic.