California: Introduction Flashcards
How many hectares are there under vine in USA?
430,000ha
What percentage of USA wine is made in California?
80%
When was the Californian Wine association formed? What did this do for the wine industry?
1984 Brought stability
Helped develop distribution networks
When was Prohibition in America? Why didn’t the end of Prohibition lead to increased consumption of wine?
1920 - 1933 When Prohibition ended the country was in an economic recession and wine was an unaffordable luxury. Beer and spirits more widely consumed
In order for a USA wine to be designated with an appellation of origin, what is the minimum percentage of grapes that must be from there?
75%
The wine must also be fully finished in the state
Name two large volume companies that were founded in America in the 1940s and 50s How did these companies create strong brands?
Roma Wines of Fresno
Gallo of Modesto
They used European place names for their wines e.g. Californian Burgundy
What is an AVA?
American Viticultural Area
These are designated grape growing regions with unique geographical and geological features
If a variety is labelled on an American wine….
- 75% of the wine must be the labelled varietal
- The appellation of origin must be stated with the variety
Two or more varieties may be stated on an American wine label as long as what is labelled?
The percentage of the wine made up by each variety
Grapes were first brought to California by ____, with plantings increasing in line with the population in ____ when the Gold Rush took place. ____ by the 1890s led to a drop in price, while ____from 1920 to 1933 devastated the industry. The industry rebuilt from the 30s to the 60s, with ____ ____wines often labelled after____ ____ ____, although they bared little resemblance
Grapes were first brought to California by missionaries, with plantings increasing in line with the population in 1849 when the Gold Rush took place. Over-planting by the 1890s led to a drop in price, while Prohibition from 1920 to 1933 devastated the industry. The industry rebuilt from the 30s to the 60s, with medium sweet wines often labelled after European wine regions, although they bared little resemblance
How many wineries in the USA in total? Is production mostly exported or consumed domestically?
10,000
The majority of production is consumed domestically
How much wine is imported to the USA in terms of value?
5.2 billion euros
Largest value import sales in the world
How much wine by volume does the USA consume?
33m hl
Largest consumer of wine by volume in the world
What percentage of USA wine sold domestically is produced by the 50 largest wine companies?
90%
Name the three largest wine companies in America today
Gallo
The Wine Group
Constellation Brands
Which Californian winemaker led the way in labelling by variety and specific origin?
Mondavi
When was the Judgement of Paris? What two American wines famously received top scores?
1976
1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon
1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
In the mid to late 20th century, which two grapes became the dominant varieties in California?
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
In the late 20th century, pioneering winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff pioneered significant winemaking improvements in California. Name some of these
Temperature controlled fermentations
Better winery hygiene
Techniques to prevent frost damage and various diseases
Why were many vineyards planted on AXR1 rootstock?
Why is it no longer used?
How were vines replanted in response to this?
It is high yielding
AXR1 proved unsuitable when phylloxera struck in the 1980s and large scale replanting was needed
There was consequently a better evaluation of site selection and more of a focus on quality
What type of wines were fashionable in California in the 1990s?
Deep, concentrates high alcohol wines and oaky ripe whites
Name the two key climatic influences in the Californian growing environment
Pacific Ocean
Mountains
Why are ocean waters off the west coast of California so cold?
- The Californian current brings cold waters from the north
- Upwelling (deep, cold water rises to the surface)
Californian vineyards without exposure to the ____ Ocean due to ____ ____ are ____, whereas those with the most exposure gain a significant ____ ____.
Californian vineyards without exposure to the Pacific Ocean due to mountain protection are warm, whereas those with the most exposure gain a significant cooling influence.
