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.
Why are some of the coolest areas in California in the south?
Topography of the land plays more of a role in temperature than latitude: mountains and exposure to the ocean can significantly decrease temperatures
__ ____ ____, starting in the far north of California running down to ____ ____ ____, provide some shelter, although gaps, usually where ____ _____ are, mean that influence from the ____ can break through and reach further inland
The Coast Ranges, starting in the far north of California running down to Santa Barbara County, provide some shelter, although gaps, usually where river valleys are, mean that influence from the ocean can break through and reach further inland
Explain how the Pacific Ocean creates a high diurnal range in some Californian vineyard areas
Land warms during the day
Air above the land rises
Cooler air from the coast is pulled in during the afternoon
Vineyards are cooled
Explain what effects Pacific breezes can have on Californian vineyards?
Cool vineyards
Reduce the risk of fungal diseases
Reduce frost risk
Can be strong enough in some places to cause stomata to close and slow ripening
When does fog arrive off the coast of California and what effect does it have on ripening in?
Forms in the afternoons
Can last until morning
Cools temperatures
Reduces sunlight exposure when thick, but low latitude means the fog burns off when sunlight is intense
Although altitude is considered a cooling influence, why might some vineyards at higher elevations give riper fruit?
Many vineyards are above the fog layer
Altitude may give lower temperatures Intense sunlight can lead to greater colour and tannin
Name two areas in California that receive no influence from the ocean or mountains.
What wine styles are commonly produced here?
San Joaquin Valley (Central Valley)
Sacramento High volume inexpensive wines - warm
Describe the general climate in California
Mediterranean with a dry growing season
Why were many of California’s vineyards replanted in the 1990s?
Phylloxera
Pierce’s Disease
Increased understanding of vineyard management
In 1990s California, how did the layout of vineyards change?
Less uniform planting
Vineyards were replanted with different densities, training and trellising, techniques and a variety of planting materials
More attention was paid to matching rootstock with the growing environment and the growers needs
Why has labour availability in California reduced? What effect has this had?
Federal policies have cracked down on illegal immigration and work permits
More vineyards are using machinery where topography allows
What do Californian grape growers commonly use to mitigate the effects of spring frost?
Sprinklers
Wind machines
What is the name of the Californian organisation that provides resources on sustainable practices and includes a programme for sustainable certification?
The Californian Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance
What percentage of California’s wine production comes from wineries that are certified sustainable?
85%
What are the requirements for labelling a wine as organic in the USA?
No SO2 can be added during the winemaking process - more wines are labeled with certified organic grapes
What percentage of grapes grown in California are black?
63%
What were the total volume sales for California in 2018? How much was exported?
26 million hl
3.3 million hl exported
Why might some Californian producers head graft vines?
Grape prices vary according to demand - producers may head graft to a new variety in order to keep up with changing trends
