California Flashcards
California produces approximately _____% of the United States’ fine wine.
90%
Name three grapevine species native to North America, and their common names.
Vitis labrusca (Concord) Vitis rotundifolia (Scuppernog) Vitis aestivalis (Norton)
Franciscan monks brought what grape upwards from Mexico to California? Give a synonym for the varietal.
Mission; Listán Prieto
In what year was California’s first wine from the Mission grape produced, and where?
1783
San Juan Capistrano Mission
What mission once occupied the site that is now the town square of Sonoma?
San Francisco de Solano Mission
Who was the American settler to arrive in Napa Valley?
George Yount
Agoston Harszthy founded what winery in Sonoma?
Buena Vista
The oldest winery in Napa Valley is __________, founded in _____.
Charles Krug, 1861
Charles Krug worked for what pioneer of Sonoma wines?
Agoston Haraszthy
The oldest continuing operating winery in Napa Valley is __________.
Beringer
In what year was Beringer established?
1876
Name the Finnish immigrant who founded Inglenook Winery.
Gustav Niebaum
When was phylloxera first discovered in Napa and Sonoma?
1870s
What native American grape and it’s hybrids became favored due to their resistance to phylloxera?
Vitis riparia (riverbank)
Prohibition was enacted with the passage of which Constitutional Amendment?
18th Amendment
In what year did Prohibition begin?
1920
Name a prominent way in which wineries were able to skirt the effects of Prohibition.
They produced sacramental wine.
In what year was Prohibition repealed?
1933
Which Constitutional Amendment ended Prohibition?
21st Amendment
Who was the self-declared “House of Altar Wine”?
Beaulieu Vineyards
Who was founded of Beaulieu Vineyards?
Georges de Latour
In 1938, who was hired to oversee production at Beaulieu Vineyards?
André Tschelistcheff
What iconic Napa wine was introduced by Tschelistcheff?
Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Name improvements Tschelistcheff brought to Napa Valley
Improved winery hygiene
Temperature controlled fermentation
Controlled malolactic fermentation
Name 4 winemakers mentored by Tschelistcheff.
Robert Mondavi
Joe Heitz
Louis Martini
Miljenko “Mike” Grgich
Name 4 wineries to survive Prohibition.
Beringer
Beaulieu Vineyards
Inglenook
Charles Krug
Prior to starting his own eponymous winery, Robert Mondavi work at what historic property?
Charles Krug
In what year did Robert Mondavi Winery declare their first harvest?
1966
What was Robert Mondavi’s impact on Sauvignon Blanc in Napa Valley?
Renamed it “Fumé Blanc” and aged it in oak
Apart from Buena Vista/Haraszthy, name 3 other early pioneers in Sonoma.
Hanzell
Martin Ray
Simi
In what year did Mondavi release the first “Fumé Blanc”/
1968
What property did winemaker Paul Draper assume control of in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
Ridge Vineyards
Name the oldest commercial winery in Monterey.
Chalone Vineyard
Who established the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard?
Richard Sanford, Michael Benedict
Where is the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard located? (Region and subregion)
Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez Hills
Who organized the 1976 “Judgement of Paris”?
Steven Spurrier
Which two wines took 1st place against Bordeaux and Burgundy, respectively?
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Château Montelena Chardonnay
What was the first Napa Valley Cabernet to top the $100 mark at release? In what year?
Diamond Creek
1978
When did a recurrence of phylloxera strike California’s vineyards?
1980s
In what decade did Napa see a stylistic shift towards greater ripeness, body, and alcohol?
1990s
Name 3 cult wines from Napa Valley
Harlan Estate
Colgin
Screaming Eagle
What federal bureau oversees the AVA system today?
Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB)
In what year did Napa Valley gain AVA status?
1981
In what year was Calistoga AVA approved?
2009
What controversy surrounded the creation of Calistoga AVA?
Rights of a brand vs. truth in appellation labelling
Calistoga Cellars and Calistoga Estates both didn’t use enough Calistoga fruit to have the name on their labels. When the AVA was approved, neither winery was grandfathered.
True/False: AVAs are only indication of geographic origin.
True
Percentage of Grapes - Appellation
County, State, Country = _____%
What are the exceptions?
75%
California, Oregon require 100% (for state)
Washing requires 95% (state)
Percentage of Grapes - Appellation
AVA = _____%
85%
Percentage of Grapes - Appellation
Single Vineyard = _____%
95%
True/False: American or imported wines with a declared vintage may be labelled only by country.
False.
A smaller appellation is required if a vintage date is declared.
If a wine is labelled with an AVA, what percentage of grapes must come from the stated vintage?
Minimum 95%
If vintage-dated wines are solely labelled by county or state, what percentage of grapes must come from the appellation?
Minimum 85%
Varietally labelled wines must contain _____% of the stated varietal. The exception is __________, which may account for _____% of the wine
75%
Vitis labrusca (i.e. Concord)
51%
What margin is permitted for alcohol declarations on wine?
+/- 1.5%
What is the approved alcohol range for “table wine” or “light wine”?
7-14%
When is the phrase “Contains Sulfites” required on wine labels?
When sulfite concentrations meet or exceed 10ppm
True/False: All wines in the US must declare the name and address of the bottler.
True
What are the requirements for “Estate-Bottled” wines?
Grapes grown on land owned or controlled by estate
Winery, vineyards must be in same AVA
Who was a major proponent of the massive Northern Sonoma AVA? What was the purpose?
Gallo Wines
They’re now free to blend across pre-existing AVAs for “estate bottled” wines
Name the 4 large AVAs the encompass the major wine regions of California.
North Coast
Central Coast
South Coast
Sierra Foothills