Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

WSET 4: D4 - Sparkling Wines Nov2024 > 16 United States of America > Flashcards

16 United States of America Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
WSET ® Level 1 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Spirits flashcards WSET® Level 4 Wine flashcards
1
Q

When was the sparkling wine production started in the USA?

A

in the nineteenth century (companies: Haraszthy and F. Korbel & Bros

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

When was the modern period started?

A
  • 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))
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which styles of sparkling are produced?

A
  • traditional method
  • tank method
  • small amount of Pet Nat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which are the states are producing sparkling

A
  • California (more than 50% of production)
  • Oregon
  • Washington State
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the style of a traditional method sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

A
  • medium intensity
  • aromas of ripe apple and lemon
  • toasty autolytic notes
  • medium (+) acidity
  • good to outstanding quality
  • mid to super-premium price
  • typically Brut
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which are the grape varieties typically used for traditional method sparkling wines?

A
  • Chardonnay (mostly)
  • Pinot Noir (mostly)
  • Meunier (less common)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where are the grapes for the premium sparkling wines grown in California?

A

coastal region

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the climatic conditions in the coastal region

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which are the grape varieties typically used for tank method sparkling wines?

A
  • Chardonay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Pinot Gris
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Viognier
  • Syrah
  • Tempranillo
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name the most important areas for sparkling wine production in California

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Name facts of the AVA Anderson Valley (Mendocino County)

A
  • cool ocean breezes and fog along the Navarro river valley (moderate temperatures and reduced sunshine hours)
  • wide diurnal temperature range
  • located estate: Roederer Estate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Name facts of the Russian River Valley (Sonoma County)

A
  • cool breezes and fog from the river and through the Petaluma Gap mountain range
  • located estate: Korbel
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Name facts of Carneros (Sonoma and Napa counties)

A
  • 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)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name facts of Napa Valley (Napa County)

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Name facts of Monterey (Monterey County)

A
  • 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))
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Name facts of the Edan Valley and Arroyo Grande (San Luis Obispa County)

A

coolest parts of the San Luis Obispo due to the proximity to the coast and the ocean

17
Q

Name facts of the Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara County)

A
  • also identified as cool zone 1-2 from Winkler and Amerine
  • Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley (east-west running) form channels, allowing cool breezes and fog coming into Santa Barbara County
18
Q

Name facts of Lodi (San Joaquin County)

A
  • Central Valley and Lodi are too warm for premium sparkling grapes growing
  • large volumes of tank method and flavored sparkling wines were produced
  • located estate: Weibel
19
Q

Name fact of the Washington State region

A
  • second largest producer in the USA
  • the northerly latitude and the high diurnal range contribute to grapes with high acidity
  • blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunieur are produced
  • also Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir
  • other used varieties: Müller Thurgau, Riesling and Gewurtztraminer
  • mid-priced wines
  • biggest located producer: Chateau Set. Michelle
20
Q

Name fact of the Oregon region

A
  • cool climate in Willamette Valley (slow ripening fruits with retained acidity)
  • increasing production of sparkling from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
  • companies like Radiant Sparkling Wine support wineries that are not specialized in sparkling with technical support for the traditional method
21
Q

Which production technique is done for premium and which for inexpensive sparkling wines?

A

premium -> traditional method

inexpensive -> tank method

22
Q

What is the difference from the production of Blanc de Noir in the USA and Europe?

A
  • there are no specific regulations for the production of Blanc de Noir like in Europe
  • some producers use a small percentage of white grapes (e.g. Schramsberg: Blanc de Noir has 10% Chardonnay)
23
Q

How can small producers also produce sparkling wine without invest a lot of money?

A

they use special custom crush facilities for the whole sparkling know how and production

24
Q

How is sparkling wine in the USA typically named if the US brand is established before 2006?

A

California Champagne

US brand after 2006 are not allowed to use the term

25
Q

Name different types of sparkling wine producing companies

A
  • specialist sparkling wine companies often founded by Champagne or Cava houses (distribution across the USA, export small quantities (e.g. Roederer Estate))
  • wine companies with small batches of premium sparking sold at the cellar door or in restaurants (e.g. Schramsberg)
  • large wine companies with an inexpensive sparkling wine range and a national and international distribution (e.g. Barefoot and Cupcake)
26
Q

How many sparkling wine were produced in 2018?

A
  • 12.500.000 cases (virtually all in California)

- 45% of the total shipment of sparkling in the USA

27
Q

Why has California sparkling wine lost market share?

A
  • younger people are not bound to American brands

- they see foreign wines as more authentic

WSET 4: D4 - Sparkling Wines Nov2024 (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions