Appellations Flashcards
What is Viticulture?
The growing of the grapes
What is Viniculture?
The making of the Wine
What is Wine?
Fermented grape juice containing varying percentages of alcohol
From what are Champagne and Sparkling Wines made?
Made from existing wines
What is the Fermentation Formula?
Water + Sugar + Yeast = Alcohol + Carbon Dioxide
Can Wine be made without additives?
Yes
Do grape skins contain natural yeast cells?
Yes
Is Fermentation natural?
Yes
What is the maximum alcohol percentage that can be produced from normal fermentation?
15-19%
Is it important to know a wine’s alcohol content?
Yes
The science of wine making is called…?
Enology
What is non-fermented grape juice called?
Must
Which grapes are crushed before fermentation and after fermentation
White are crushed before
Red are crushed after
Can you make a red wine from a white grape?
No
Can you make a white wine from a red grape?
Yes
The science of making barrels is called…?
Cooperage
Does Wine improve with age?
Some, about 3-5% of wines in the world.
Primarily, it is a myth
What is fining?
When colloidal matter is added to the wine.
Some wine makers skip this step
What is Cold Stabilization?
The wine is super chilled to where the tartrite crystals separate and fall to the bottom of the tank
What is the proper storage temperature for wine?
Approx. 55 Degrees
What is the proper humidity for wine storage?
60-75% humidity
What type of lighting is needed in wine storage?
Low lighting only when needed, no fluorescents
Should wine be refrigerated?
Only as needed
In Texas is it legal to marry two bottles of wine?
No, it is against the law
What is the most important aspect of wine presentation?
A Clean and Professional presentation
Who do you present the bottle of wine to?
The person who ordered it, unless instructed otherwise
When opening a bottle of wine, should you pop the cork?
No
What are the 5 S’s of Tasting?
SEE the wine SWIRL the wine SMELL the wine SIP the wine SWALLOW or SPIT the wine
Where was the first successful winery located?
Cincinnati, OH
What was the first American Grape?
Catauba
What percentage of American Wine does California Produce?
90%
What does AVA stand for?
American Viticulture Area
What are the Requirements an area must meet in order to be an AVA?
1) At least 75% of grapes in the bottle must be the stated grape
2) At least 85% of the grapes must be from the same stated area. But if the individual vineyard is listed on the bottle, at least 95% of the grapes must be from that vineyard
3) If the vintage is listed, at least 95% of the grapes must be from that year
What was the first American AVA?
It was located in Augusta, Missouri
What is the formula used to find Degree Days?
(ADT - 50) x the number of Days = Degree Days
What is a Degree Day?
The Length of time the temperature remains over 50 degrees between April 1st and October 31st
How many Degree Days are in Region 1?
Up to 2,500
What type of grapes are Region 1?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris
How many Degree Days are in Region 2?
Between 2,501 and 3,000
What type of grapes are Region 2?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
How many Degree Days are in Region 3?
Between 3,001 and 3,500
What type of grapes are Region 3?
Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, Gamay
How many degree days are in Region 4?
Between 3,501 and 4,000
What type of grapes are Region 4?
Malvasia, Thompson Seedless
How many degree days are in Region 5?
Over 4,000
What type of grapes are Region 5?
Thompson Seedless, Desert Table
Who founded Napa Valley?
The Wappo Indians
Translated, what does Napa men?
“Land of Plenty”
What are the top 4 states for American Wine Production?
1) California
2) Washington
3) New York
4) Oregon
Where is the concord grape native to?
The East Coast of the United States
In Oregon, what percentage of grapes must be from the stated AVA?
100%
In Oregon, what percentage of grapes must be the stated varietal?
At least 90%
The only exception is Cabernet Sauvignon, which can be at least %75
What is the name of the Roman God of Wine?
Bacchus
What is Pliny the Elder’s significance to wine making?
He provided instructions on planting and tending more than 90 varieties of wine grapes
What is the phylloxera?
A small, sap-sucking insect that feeds on roots and leaves. Native to the Eastern U.S.
What were the biggest blows to the Wine Industry?
The two World Wars and Prohibition
What is a French Appellation called?
AOC
What are the two factors that influence grapes in a vineyard?
1) Environmental – all of the natural attributes of the vineyard site (climate, soil, drainage)
2) Cultural – all of the actions performed by the grower (pruning, trellising, selection of grape variety)
Why are grapes are the preferred fruit for making wine?
Because of the natural characteristics it possesses that other berries and fruits do not (sugar, naturally occurring yeast)
Is there a standardized method for naming and categorizing grape vines?
No
What process did winemakers use to combat phylloxera?
Grafting
What is the most fundamental aspect of any vineyard?
The ground in which it is planted
What is a Macroclimate?
The broad weather conditions of a particular wine-growing region
What is a Mesoclimate?
Local conditions that influence the weather in a particular vineyard or portion of a vineyard
What is a Microclimate?
The climatic conditions around a particular vine
What is vérasion?
The beginning of ripeness, grapes begin to swell and change color
What is Fermentation?
The process of yeast converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide
What is the Lees?
A layer of thick, mudlike material that settles at the bottom of a tank
What is “sur lie” aging?
Aging wine on the lees after fermentation
What is Bottle Shock?
The loss of fruity aromas and body after bottling
What are Fortified Wines?
Wines that have had the addition of Brandy during processing and can be either sweet or dry
What is Noble Rot?
A type of mold that can infect grapes
Can grapes with Noble Rot still be used to make wine?
Yes, they are sometimes used in Dessert Wines
What is a Terrior?
A vineyard’s total environment (soil, climate, and location)
What is the system for rating wines that consumers are most familiar with?
Robert Parker’s 100 Point Scale
What is Bottle Bouquet?
The aroma that develops as a wine gets older
True or False:
Wine has been an integral part of the human experience for nearly 70 centuries.
True
True or False:
Grape growing is by far the dominant agriculture in the Napa Valley with more the 45,000 acres being planted to wine grapes.
True
True or False:
In the southern part of Napa, cool climate grape varieties such as Zinfandel and Syrah do best.
False
True or False:
Sonoma lies directly to the East of Napa and is a much smaller grape growing region.
False
True or False:
The most significant factor influencing the climate of Sonoma County is its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
True
What is Kevin Simon’s favorite definition of wine?
Something that invigorates or intoxicates
True or False:
Most of the AVAs in Lake and Mendocino Counties are closer to the coast, hence, cooler climate regions growing mostly Region 1 grapes.
False
True or False:
The two largest AVAs in Santa Barbara County are Santa Maria Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley
True
True or False:
Carneros is an AVA in California that is located in both Sonoma and Napa Counties and has a reputation for growing warmer climate grapes like Zinfandel and Grenache.
False
