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Wine Diploma > California: Introduction > Flashcards

California: Introduction Flashcards

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1
Q

How many hectares are there under vine in USA?

A

430,000ha

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2
Q

What percentage of USA wine is made in California?

A

80%

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3
Q

When was the Californian Wine association formed? What did this do for the wine industry?

A

1984 Brought stability

Helped develop distribution networks

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4
Q

When was Prohibition in America? Why didn’t the end of Prohibition lead to increased consumption of wine?

A

1920 - 1933 When Prohibition ended the country was in an economic recession and wine was an unaffordable luxury. Beer and spirits more widely consumed

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5
Q

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?

A

75%

The wine must also be fully finished in the state

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6
Q

Name two large volume companies that were founded in America in the 1940s and 50s How did these companies create strong brands?

A

Roma Wines of Fresno

Gallo of Modesto

They used European place names for their wines e.g. Californian Burgundy

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7
Q

What is an AVA?

A

American Viticultural Area

These are designated grape growing regions with unique geographical and geological features

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8
Q

If a variety is labelled on an American wine….

A
  • 75% of the wine must be the labelled varietal
  • The appellation of origin must be stated with the variety
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9
Q

Two or more varieties may be stated on an American wine label as long as what is labelled?

A

The percentage of the wine made up by each variety

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10
Q

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

A

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

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11
Q

How many wineries in the USA in total? Is production mostly exported or consumed domestically?

A

10,000

The majority of production is consumed domestically

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12
Q

How much wine is imported to the USA in terms of value?

A

5.2 billion euros

Largest value import sales in the world

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13
Q

How much wine by volume does the USA consume?

A

33m hl

Largest consumer of wine by volume in the world

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14
Q

What percentage of USA wine sold domestically is produced by the 50 largest wine companies?

A

90%

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15
Q

Name the three largest wine companies in America today

A

Gallo

The Wine Group

Constellation Brands

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16
Q

Which Californian winemaker led the way in labelling by variety and specific origin?

A

Mondavi

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17
Q

When was the Judgement of Paris? What two American wines famously received top scores?

A

1976

1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon

1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

18
Q

In the mid to late 20th century, which two grapes became the dominant varieties in California?

A

Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon

19
Q

In the late 20th century, pioneering winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff pioneered significant winemaking improvements in California. Name some of these

A

Temperature controlled fermentations

Better winery hygiene

Techniques to prevent frost damage and various diseases

20
Q

Why were many vineyards planted on AXR1 rootstock?

Why is it no longer used?

How were vines replanted in response to this?

A

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

21
Q

What type of wines were fashionable in California in the 1990s?

A

Deep, concentrates high alcohol wines and oaky ripe whites

22
Q

Name the two key climatic influences in the Californian growing environment

A

Pacific Ocean

Mountains

23
Q

Why are ocean waters off the west coast of California so cold?

A
  • The Californian current brings cold waters from the north
  • Upwelling (deep, cold water rises to the surface)
24
Q

Californian vineyards without exposure to the ____ Ocean due to ____ ____ are ____, whereas those with the most exposure gain a significant ____ ____.

A

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.

25
Q

Why are some of the coolest areas in California in the south?

A

Topography of the land plays more of a role in temperature than latitude: mountains and exposure to the ocean can significantly decrease temperatures

26
Q

__ ____ ____, 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

A

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

27
Q

Explain how the Pacific Ocean creates a high diurnal range in some Californian vineyard areas

A

Land warms during the day

Air above the land rises

Cooler air from the coast is pulled in during the afternoon

Vineyards are cooled

28
Q

Explain what effects Pacific breezes can have on Californian vineyards?

A

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

29
Q

When does fog arrive off the coast of California and what effect does it have on ripening in?

A

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

30
Q

Although altitude is considered a cooling influence, why might some vineyards at higher elevations give riper fruit?

A

Many vineyards are above the fog layer

Altitude may give lower temperatures Intense sunlight can lead to greater colour and tannin

31
Q

Name two areas in California that receive no influence from the ocean or mountains.

What wine styles are commonly produced here?

A

San Joaquin Valley (Central Valley)

Sacramento High volume inexpensive wines - warm

32
Q

Describe the general climate in California

A

Mediterranean with a dry growing season

33
Q

Why were many of California’s vineyards replanted in the 1990s?

A

Phylloxera

Pierce’s Disease

Increased understanding of vineyard management

34
Q

In 1990s California, how did the layout of vineyards change?

A

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

35
Q

Why has labour availability in California reduced? What effect has this had?

A

Federal policies have cracked down on illegal immigration and work permits

More vineyards are using machinery where topography allows

36
Q

What do Californian grape growers commonly use to mitigate the effects of spring frost?

A

Sprinklers

Wind machines

37
Q

What is the name of the Californian organisation that provides resources on sustainable practices and includes a programme for sustainable certification?

A

The Californian Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance

38
Q

What percentage of California’s wine production comes from wineries that are certified sustainable?

A

85%

39
Q

What are the requirements for labelling a wine as organic in the USA?

A

No SO2 can be added during the winemaking process - more wines are labeled with certified organic grapes

40
Q

What percentage of grapes grown in California are black?

A

63%

41
Q

What were the total volume sales for California in 2018? How much was exported?

A

26 million hl

3.3 million hl exported

42
Q

Why might some Californian producers head graft vines?

A

Grape prices vary according to demand - producers may head graft to a new variety in order to keep up with changing trends

Wine Diploma (62 decks)

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