CA Wine Law & Mendocino County Flashcards
*What is the US agency that regulates wine labeling?
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Treasury Department [not the ATF]
*What are the US requirements for country, state, county, AVA and vineyard labeling for varietal labeling?
minimum is 75%, true for USA, State, County, AVA and Vineyard labels. However, CA, OR and WA have more stringent requirements. [var or variance is ironically none]
*What are the US requirements for country, state, county, AVA and vineyard labeling for origin?
75% for country, state and county, 85% for AVA, 95% for vineyard [O, operator > 311]
*What are the US requirements for country, state, county, AVA and vineyard labeling for vintage?
USA - prohibited; 85% for state and county; 95% for AVA and vineyard [vin85 > (1)022]
*What does AVA stand for?
American Viticultural Area (refers only to a geographic location) [AVITA, not Association, not Viniculture]
What are the US requirements for alcohol content of “table wine”?
7-14% abv is ‘table wine” - key is not more than 14%:
*What are the US requirements for leeway of accuracy of alcohol content of less than or equal to 14%?
accurate within 1.5%, but not labeled over 14%
*What are the US requirements for leeway of accuracy of alcohol content of greater than 14%?
accurate within 1.0%, but not labeled at or below 14%
What are the labeling limits of wine of 14.5%
14.1 to 15.5%
What are the labeling limits of wine of 13.8%
12.3 to 14.0%
*What percent of US wine is made in California?
89%
*How many wineries are in California?
3800 bonded wineries plus 4600 growing farms
What does “Organic” labeling mean for sulfites?
No sulfites may be added and total sulfites must be less than 10 ppm.
What does “Organic” labeling mean in general?
100% from certified-organic vineyards and winery, no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides; may use USDA organic label - a very high bar
What does “Made from Organic Grapes” labeling mean specifically for sulfites?
may add sulfites up to 100 ppm, may not use the USDA organic label; for marketing purposes addition of sulfites for “freshness” is often flaunted.
What does “Made from Organic Grapes” labeling mean in general?
100% from certified-organic vineyards, must not use USDA label
What does “Biodynamic” labeling mean in general?
Organic plus a self-contained ecosystem and tasks timed with lunar calendar; certified by Demeter; no US law.
What does “Sustainable” labeling mean in general?
Considers emissions, resource consumption, costs; multiple certifying programs; no US law.
Is “Estate Bottled” a legal term?
Yes, winery and vineyard must both be located in the stated AVA; winery must own or control the vineyard sources; production and bottling must be a continuous process (but this is often flaunted in large estates; hence the rationale for large AVA’s)
Is “Reserve” a legal term in the USA?
No, in contrast to requirements in Spain for “reserva”
Is “Meritage” a legal term?
Yes, indicates a specified blend with no single variety over 90%.
What varieties are allowed in a red Meritage?
6 Bordeaux (CS, CF, Mer, Mal, PV, Carm) plus St. Macaire and Gros Verdot, plus up to 10% of other vinifera grapes.
What is the meaning of “Old Vine”? Is it a legal term?
It typically refers to vines at least 25 years old; it is not a legal term.
What varieties are allowed in a white Meritage?
Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Vert [3 S’s]
*What and when was the first AVA?
Augusta AVA in Missouri, June 1980
What and when was the first AVA in CA?
Napa Valley in 1981.
What percent of US AVA’s are in California?
just over half, 119 of 221
What percent of wine purchases in the US are California wine?
60%
*Name California’s 4 large regional AVAs.
North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast and Sierra Foothills [not Central Valley]
*Name the grapes allowed in Coro Mendocino wines?
Zinfandel (40-70%), Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Sangiovese, Grenache, Dolcetto, Charbono, Barbera, Primitivo [Z+CPBSS+3 O’s: CDP Charbono, Dolcetto, Primitivo; Zinfandel is mandatory!]
*Name the 6 sub-AVAs contained within Mendocino AVA.
Cole Ranch AVA, Anderson Valley AVA, McDowell Valley AVA, Potter Valley AVA, Redwood Valley AVA [CAMPeR] also includes Yorkville Highlands AVA. [Not Covelo AVA, Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA]
*Which Medocino County AVA ranks with the top Pinot Noir regions in North America?
Anderson Valley AVA
What was first modern vineyard in Anderson Valley?
Edmeades 1963 (not bonded)
What the first bonded vineyard in Anderson Valley?
Husch 1971
*What is North America’s smallest (in total size, not planted area) AVA?
Cole Ranch AVA, 187 acres,
What winery owns all the vineyard acreage in Cole Ranch AVA?
Esterlina Winery, name is a Spanish translation of the family name Sterling, the largest African-American family owned winery in the USA.
Historically, which white grapes are associated with Anderson Valley?
Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris [RPG]
Name the 4 top sparkling wine producers in Anderson Valley.
Roederer, Schaffenberger, Handley and Signal Ridge
What are the top 3 grapes of Cole Ranch AVA?
Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot [odd mix]
*Name the California county with the highest percentage of organic vineyards.
Mendocino
Which Mendocino vintage is associated with smoke taint issues?
2008 [ring of fire > circles > 2008]
Where were the first vineyards planted in Mendocino County?
Redwood Valley in 1850’s (after Gold Rush)
What is oldest continuously operating winery in Mendocino County?
Parducci