Ch. 16 - United States and North America Flashcards
How much of USAs wine does California produce?
- California produces roughly 88%.
How many wineries are present in the US?
There are more than 10,000 commercial wineries in the US, with at least one in all fifty states.
When did viticulture begin in the US?
- Wine was made from native grapes as early as the
1560s in Florida and by the Jamestown colonists in
the 1600s. - These early efforts were followed by the successful planting of European wine grape varieties in Texas and New Mexico in the 1620s and later in California in the 1770s.
What initiated century, the California wine industry?
- In the 1800s the West Coast became part of the United States following the Mexican War and, above all, when gold was discovered in California in 1849.
- The population of California and the other western territories skyrocketed, as did the demand for alcohol.
- New vineyards, planted primarily by immigrants from Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, were stocked with vines brought from the Old World or imported from various places in Europe.
When did prohibition start in the US?
- The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution eventually won passage in 1919, which ushered in Prohibition as of January 1920.
- The prohibition lasted for 13 years.
How much wine was allowed to be produced during the 13-year period of Prohibition?
- 200 gallons of wine at home for family consumption.
Why was the ban on alcohol lifted thus ending the Prohibition?
With the Great Depression making alcohol tax revenue seem preferable to forced abstinence, the 21st Amendment was passed in 1933, repealing Prohibition on a national level and returning decisions about alcohol control to state and local governments.
Which winemakers are responsible in making the US wine industry grow in size and quality?
- Robert Mondavi,
- Mike Grgich,
- Warren Winiarski,
and several other winemakers.
What did Ernest and Julio Gallo contribute to the American Wine History?
Ernest and Julio Gallo: brothers who were almost
singlehandedly responsible for ensuring that there
was consistent and reasonably priced wine on the
American table after Prohibition.
What did Agoston Haraszthy contribute to the American Wine History?
Agoston Haraszthy: Hungarian immigrant who
helped found the California wine industry and
brought many European vines to Sonoma in 1861.
What did Charles Krug contribute to the American Wine History?
Charles Krug: founder of the first Napa Valley
winery in 1861.
What did Nicholas Longworth contribute to the American Wine History?
Nicholas Longworth: founder of the first successful US commercial winery in the 1830s and who- using grapes grown in the Ohio River Valley-produced the first sparkling wine in America.
What did Robert Mondavi contribute to the American Wine History?
Robert Mondavi: California winemaker who was most instrumental in establishing the reputation of Californian (and, by extension, US) wine quality among consumers.
What did Frank Schoonmaker contribute to the American Wine History?
Frank Schoonmaker: wine journalist credited with introducing and promoting the concept of varietal labeling to help California better define its wines.
What did Andre Tchelistcheff contribute to the American Wine History?
Andre Tchelistcheff: California winemaker who
introduced many modern techniques to the US
and mentored many other winemakers.
What did Bob Trinchero contribute to the American Wine History?
Bob Trinchero: son of Sutter Home Winery’s co-founder, Mario Trinchero, Bob Trinchero developed the idea to create a white wine from the red Zinfandel grape, which, given its commercial success, saved many of California’s Zinfandel vines from being uprooted or abandoned.
Who form the three-tier system in the US?
- Producers or suppliers
- Distributors or wholesalers
- Retailers
What are the rules under the three-tier system in the US?
- Wineries can sell only to distributors, not directly
to retailers or consumers. - Foreign wineries must sell their wine through a
US-based import company. - Distributors cannot have direct ownership of
wineries or retail establishments and cannot sell
directly to the public. - Retailers must remain independent of the
other tiers.
Who is responsible for alcohol excise tax collection in the US?
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
How can the producers or suppliers sell their wines?
The producers’ wine may be sold in the following
ways:
- to a distributor.
- to an importer, if crossing international borders.
- in bulk to another winery.
- direct to consumers at the winery, if allowed by
state and local laws.
- direct to consumers by shipping courier, if
allowed by state and local laws.
Who fall in the Retailers category?
Retail is divided into the on- and off-premise trade, but there are many different types of retailers, including the following:
- Restaurants
- Bars, wine bars, and nightclubs
- Hotels
- Fine wine shops
- Liquor stores
- Supermarkets and grocery stores
- “Big-box” retailers (e.g., Target, Walmart) and membership club stores (e.g., Costco, Sam’s Club)
- Online retailers
- Wine-of-the-month clubs
- Airlines and cruise lines
