16 United States of America Flashcards
When was the sparkling wine production started in the USA?
in the nineteenth century (companies: Haraszthy and F. Korbel & Bros
When was the modern period started?
- 1965: Schamsberg produced a Blanc de Blanc Brut (first commercial Chardonnay in America for sparkling)
- 1970s: a number of Champagne and Cava houses set up the to make traditional method (e.g Moet & Chandon (Domaine Chandon in 1973))
Which styles of sparkling are produced?
- traditional method
- tank method
- small amount of Pet Nat
Which are the states are producing sparkling
- California (more than 50% of production)
- Oregon
- Washington State
Describe the style of a traditional method sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- medium intensity
- aromas of ripe apple and lemon
- toasty autolytic notes
- medium (+) acidity
- good to outstanding quality
- mid to super-premium price
- typically Brut
Which are the grape varieties typically used for traditional method sparkling wines?
- Chardonnay (mostly)
- Pinot Noir (mostly)
- Meunier (less common)
Where are the grapes for the premium sparkling wines grown in California?
coastal region
Describe the climatic conditions in the coastal region
- cool air form the coast is drawn towards the hotter Central Valley
- cool breezes and/or fog are present in areas close to the coast, along river valleys and gaps in the coastal mountains
Which are the grape varieties typically used for tank method sparkling wines?
- Chardonay
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Gris
- Pinot Blanc
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viognier
- Syrah
- Tempranillo
Name the most important areas for sparkling wine production in California
- Anderson Valley (Mendocino Country) (morst important)
- Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) (most important)
- Carneros (Sonoma and Napa counties) (most important)
- Napa Valley (Napa County)
- Monterey (Monterey County)
- Edan Vally and Arroyo (San Luis Obispo County)
- Santa Maria Valley and Sea. Hills (Santa Barbara County)
- Lodi (San Joaquin County)
Name facts of the AVA Anderson Valley (Mendocino County)
- cool ocean breezes and fog along the Navarro river valley (moderate temperatures and reduced sunshine hours)
- wide diurnal temperature range
- located estate: Roederer Estate
Name facts of the Russian River Valley (Sonoma County)
- cool breezes and fog from the river and through the Petaluma Gap mountain range
- located estate: Korbel
Name facts of Carneros (Sonoma and Napa counties)
- not on the coast
- getting significant cooling from the San Pablo Bay
- located estates: Gloria Ferrer (founded by Freixenet) and Domaine Carneros (founded by Taittinger)
Name facts of Napa Valley (Napa County)
- most of Napa is too hot for growing sparkling wine grapes
- Napa Valley located wineries often source grapes from cooler areas
- sometimes blends from Napa grapes and sourced grapes
- located estates: Schramsberg
Name facts of Monterey (Monterey County)
- 1940 introduction of the Heat Summation Scale of the University of California, Davis (professor Winkler and Amerine)
- identified large portions of cool zone 1-2 in Monterey (suitable for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir)
- main influence is the Salinas valley (open to the ocean and cold due to a deep canyon in the ocean floor (high diurnal range))
