Ch 26&27 NY & CAN Flashcards
Describe the location of NY
NY is in the NE of the US, bordering the Great Lakes and St Lawrence river to the N and W, and down to a small Atlantic coastline around Long Island in the SE
Canadian border to N
Due to severe weather upstate, plantings were made where large bodies of water would have moderating effect, namely along the Hudson, on lands bordering the Finger Lakes, and along the S shore of Lake Erie
Describe the general climate conditions in NY
Annual temps are generally cool, different parts of the state experience very diff climatic influences
Where does NY fit in terms of wine production relative to other states
NY is 3rd after CA and WA
Largest E coast producer
What is the history of wine production in NY
Early settlers near the coast experimented unsuccessfully w/ vines brought from Europe
Viticulture only re-started in the mid-1800s using native American vines
Due to severe weather upstate, plantings were made where large bodies of water would have moderating effect, namely along the Hudson, on lands bordering the Finger Lakes, and along the S shore of Lake Erie
Following Prohibition’s repeal, winemaking was dominated by a few large wineries operating in the Finger Lakes w/ locally grown native vines and made wines brought in from CA
Years of failure led to belief that V vinifera vines could not withstand the tough WI conditions
1957 Dr Konstantin Frank succeeded in grafting Riesling and Chard to hardy rootstocks
NY’s Family Wine Act of 1976 allowed grape growers to open wineries and sell direct to public
Vineyards sprang up in previously unplanted areas of the state
What is the name of the winery established by Dr Konstantin Frank
- Vinifera Wine Cellars
What kicked off NY’s modern wine biz
There are 2 keys
1957 Dr Konstantin Frank succeeds in his experiments to graft Riesling and Chardonnay to hardy rootstocks, which allows his vines to succeed in over-wintering
In 1976, NY’s Farm Winery Act allowed grape growers to open wineries and sell directly to the public
After that, many new, small wineries were established, growing a mixture of native, hybrid and vinifera vines
2/3 of NYs 400+ wineries were established since Farm Winery Act
How many AVAs are in NY state? Which are the most significant?
there are 10 AVAs
Finger Lakes AVA
Hudson River Region AVA
Long Island
Describe the Finger Lakes AVA
Location
Relative size
W upstate NY, sitting below Lake Ontario and the Canada border
Largest wine producing region of NY
One of coldest AVAs in the US
Describe the general growing environment of the Finger Lakes AVA
Continental, w/ warm SU, cold WI
Covers 11 finger-shaped lakes — not large, but very deep — that are so deep they can fail to freeze in WI, mitigating temps that could otherwise harm the vines
Describe the specific effects of the Finger Lakes
Topography of the region — w/ slopes around the lakes — enables cold air to drain toward the water. As it reaches the lake, the air warms and rises, creating a vacuum that draws more cold air off the land
The lakes can generate their own lake-effect snow, which can also help insulate the vines in WI
Lakes provide warming influence in AU, enabling grapes to ripen over a longer period and reducing risk of AU frost
In SP, cool air from the lake delays bud burst, reducing chance of damage in SP frosts
Which lakes are most of NYs Finger Lake vineyards located near? Which have their own sub- AVAs?
Canadaigua and Keuka (no sub)
Seneca and Cayuga (independent sub-AVAs)
Where are most Finger Lakes AVA vineyards located?
Around 4 main lakes (Canadaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga)
On steeper areas where cold air flows down towards the lake rather than in the cold air pockets on the flat bench areas
What vineyard practices and vine training are common in the Finger Lakes? Why?
Fertile soils and sufficient rainfall means that many vineyards are planted w/ low densities of large vines
Training and trellising systems such as Scott Henry are common, in which grape growers split the canopy either vertically or horizontally to allow greater air circulation (reducing fungal disease) and light penetration
Although snow can help insulate the vines in WI, many further protect by hilling up the soil to cover the graft union
Grape(s) in the Finger Lakes AVA
historically, there were only cold-hardy hybrids such as Concord, Niagara, Cayuga, Vidal
Then Dr Konstantin Frank came to Cornell U Geneva Experimentation station in 1951 where he intro’d grating cool climate V vinifera
Riesling and CF — due to their ability to withstand cold WI temps — are the most planted white and black grapes respectively
Chardonnay widely planted for still & sparkling
Other popular = PN, Gewurz, CS, Merlot, PG
Hybrids and American also grown (mainly used in juice, jam, jelly)
Some hybrids w/ potential for quality = Traminette (Gewurz-like aromas, w/ higher acid, lower alc), and Vidal (used for ice wine)
What is the most widely planted V. Vinifera grape in the Finger Lakes AVA
- Riesling
Describe the style of Finger Lakes Riesling
Made in a variety of sweetness levels, though majority are dry to med-dry
High acid
M(-) to M body
Fresh flavors of apple, lemon, peach
Alcohol ranges from low to med depending on sweetness level
G to VG w/ some O
$$ to $$$
Describe the general winemaking of Finger Lakes Rieslings
range of styles from dry to sweet, although most are dry to med-dry
Sweetness can be achieved via late harvest, botrytis, and/or stopping ferment early
Made protectively
Fermented at cool temps in SS
Some use a few hrs of skin contact before pressing to enhance flavor & texture
Some may keep on lees after ferment to enhance texture
Describe the general profile of a Finger Lakes Chardonnay
used in still and sparkling, but still wines…
Usually M body
M+ to H acid
Citrus flavors
Often fermented & matured in oak to add texture and toasty flavors
What is the most planted black grape in the Finger Lakes?
Ripening and implications
Cab Franc
Mid-ripening and winter hardy —> able to produce adequate yields of ripe grapes most years
Describe general winemaking practices for Cab Franc in the Finger Lakes
Using less new oak than in the past
Many making at least one w/o any oak
Oak tends to be FRO or Hungarian, both of which tend to give subtler flavors than AMO which could overwhelm the wines
Describe the profile of a Finger Lakes Cab Franc
M to M(-) body and tannins
Flavors of red cherry, cranberry and black plum; sometimes herbaceous note
May or may not have oak, oak often FRO or Hungarian
G to VG
$$
Describe the location of the Long Island AVA
extends from Manhattan eastward to the Atlantic Ocean
Covers a large area at the easternmost end of the island, where it splits into 2 peninsulas — the North Fork and the Hamptons sub-AVAs
Describe the general climactic conditions and growing environment of the Long Island AVA
Growing season and implications
Surrounded by water — Atlantic Ocean, Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound
Creates a Maritime climate
Long growing season b/c water bodies slowly release the accumulated summer heat into the AU and harvest period
B/c of long growing season, can ripen black BDX varieties, w/ Merlot as a signature variety
Grape(s) in the Long Island AVA
Merlot is signature, able to ripen due to long growing season, facilitated by Maritime climate
Chardonnay
Sauv Blanc
What challenges do growers in Long Island face? What mitigation steps taken?
high humidity = fungal disease, although windy weather in coastal sites can help mitigate
Mitigation = spraying, leaf removal to improve air circ, grape sorting at the winery
Is Organic grape growing common in Long Island AVA
Difficult in such a climate
But, there are a # of local sustainable certification bodies
How does the North Fork of Long Island differ from the test of the AVA?
North Fork is slightly warmer and more protected from the Atlantic Ocean’s weather events
Contains the large majority of vineyards compared to the Hamptons
Describe the soil and vine training in the Finger Lakes
silt loam
Free draining and low in fertility which limits vigor
Vines generally trained and trellised to VSP (vigor not as high as Finger Lakes)
Grape(s) in Long Island
Merlot, CS, CF — single varietal or band
SB, Riesling, PG
Chard
what is the general style of red wines of Long Island?
majority matured in oak, mostly FRO but some Hungarian and AMO
% of new oak is common to add vanilla & clove to BDX varieties
What is the general style of whites of Long Island?
PG is made in a dry, light-bodied style
Whites generally fermented at cool temps in SS, fruity, un-oaked for early consumption
Chard may be un-oaked or fermented and matured in oak, often also w/ MLF/C and lees aging, creating fuller-bodied, creamy, toasty style w/ M+ acid
Generally G to VG, $$ to $$$
What is a key route to market for both Long Island and Finger Lakes AVA
cellar door
For Long Island, the proximity to Manhattan and the popular holiday destination of the Hamptons makes this especially important
Describe the Hudson River Region AVA
Location
How long has it been in existence
Size
Soils
wine has been made continuously here for >300yr
Contains the 1st commercial winery (est 1827) and oldest active winery in the US (est 1839)
Today ~60 wineries
Vast region stretching from N of NYC to S of Albany
Vineyard plantings are small at 64ha
River runs N to S and most vineyards located w/in a few kilometers/mi of it on glacial deposits of shale, slate, schist and limestone
Describe the climate of Hudson River Region AVA and implications
Continental w/ warm SU and cold WI
Spring frosts and WI freezes are problems
Growers pile soils around trunks for the vines in winter to combat WI freezing
Grape(s) in Hudson River Region AVA
both hybrids and cool climate V vinifera
Hybrids include Seyval Blanc and Vidal
Vinifera include Riesling, Chard, CF
Describe the wine biz in NY
just over 470 wineries across the state, of which ~120 are Finger Lakes, 66 Long Island, 50 Hudson River Region
Before NY Farm Winery act of 1976, production was dominated by a few large wineries which were producing large volumes of inexpensive wines (often American vine species)
The Act allowed wineries to sell wines that they had vinified directly to consumers, subject to max 50k US gallons annually
This law completely changed the dynamics of the industry. Many new small wineries were established, now w/ a viable market
Smaller wineries produced FR hybrids and V vinifera, increasing quality of wines —> larger wineries either adapted or declined
Most sales continue through cellar door; vast majority sold in-state
What makes Canada less suitable, in general, for wine production
high latitude
Extreme temperatures
Where are most of Canada’s vineyards?
Vast majority in 2 provinces:
Ontario (Niagara Peninsula) and British Columbia (Okanagan Valley)
Small amounts are made in Nova Scotia and Quebec
Lie between 41 and 51 degrees N latitude
What is Canada’s wine industry most well known for?
Icewine
Canada is now the world’s largest producer, although it only represents a small % of production
Looking to build an international reputation for high quality sparkling wines
What is the history of wine production in CAN?
commercial production began in early 19th century
Initially American hybrids and later V. Labrusca which could withstand harsh winters
Early 20th century, joined by FR hybrids, notably Vidal Blanc, which is still widely used for Icewine
1950s saw 1st V vinifera, and shift didn’t really start until 1980s
What spurred CAN wine industry to adopt a more quality-minded approach in the late 1980s?
US-CAN trade deal opened up the Canadian wine market to American imports and removed subsidies from CAN growers
Intro of an appellation system, the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) in Ontario and British Columbia
How did Prohibition affect CAN?
CAN had Prohibition from 1916-1927
Unlike USA, wine industry was not adversely affected b/c wine was exempt
The # of wineries actually INCREASED
However, when most provinces repealed laws in 1920s, a system of provincial liquor boards and gov’t-run monopolies was intro’d, which still strictly control the sale and distribution of alcohol
Describe CAN’s climate
generally considered cool climate, but that’s oversimplified
2 main wine regions are on opposite sides of country and even sub-regions w/in have diverse and distinct conditions
Ontario and inland areas of BC (where vineyards are) have extreme continental climate
SU regularly > 30C/86F
WI can drop below -20C/-4F
Vineyards are planted near lakes which moderate temps and reduce risk of WI freeze
Explain how the location of vineyards in CAN affects the vines
Mainly planted near lakes that moderate temps
In the WI, lake effect reduces the risk of WI freeze
In SP, the water heats up slowly, delaying bud-break usually until after the risk of SP frost has passed (occasionally still an issue)
Retains SU warmth into AU, extending growing season
Cause higher levels of humidity, increasing fungal risk
Usually creates enough snow to cover and protect vines, insulating them from cold air, although WI freeze can still be a concern
Drought is an use inland in BC (rain shadow of 2 mountain ranges)
Describe typical vineyard management practices in CAN
due to humidity from lakes, the canopy has to be as open as possible to improve air flow and reduce fungal risk (mildew, botrytis)
VSP is most common
Some experimenting w/ Geneva Double Curtain, Scott Henry and Lyre
Hotter, drier areas (Okanagan) focusing on Organic and sustainable; main vineyard pests are insects such as moths, mealy bugs and leafhoppers, birds, and animas (deer, bears)
Describe the growing season in CAN
Shorter growing season than than many regions
Bud break as late as May, harvest starting in Aug
Harvest can continue into November (b/c of diff varieties, diff styles) and even into Feb for Icewine
Rain and autumn frost = significant vintage variation
Is irrigation used in CAN?
in areas where drought is a regular concern, such as Okanagan Valley, irrigation systems have been installed
Drip irrigation is most common
what methods are used in CAN to protect vines in winter?
in areas w/ bitter cold (Prince Edward County) some producers bury their vines; however this is time-consuming, labor-intensive —> $$$$
Some experimenting w/ geo-textiles = fabrics draped over the vines
In Okanagan and Simikameen Valleys where WI is not as cold, push up the level of the soil around grafts
Grape(s) in Canada
hybrids have dominated for much of history
Still significant hybrids in Ontario (40% in 2018) tho most are used in Int’l CAN Blends rather than VQA wines; only a small amount remains in BC due to late ‘80s vine pull scheme
Most important hybrid is Vidal — FR hybrid used for majority of Icewine
Describe the Vidal grape
FR hybrid
High acidity (although not as high as Riesling)
Slow ripening and thick skins make it suitable for sweet late-harvest wines and Icewine, even if not as aromatically complex or aging potential of finest Riesling Icewines
Since 1980s, significant increase in vinifera, particularly BDX varieties: Merlot, CF and (less) CS, as well as PN, and aromatic whites such as PG, Gewurz, Riesling
Some experimenting w/ Syrah, Viognier, Malbec
Describe Vidal wine (whether dry or sweet)
high acidity (not as high as Riesling)
Stone and tropical fruit such as peach & mango
What can be said, generally, about winemaking in CAN?
increasingly looking to reduce intervention
Ambient yeast
Unfiltered wines
More moderate use of new oak
Increased use of neutral vessels
In cooler regions and cooler years, chaptalization is sometimes used
What rules are there for CAN Icewine production?
Canada trademarked the name Icewine
Grapes must be harvested at -8C/18F or below
Only wine made exclusively from grapes naturally frozen ON the VINE
Exclusively grapes grown in CAN
Either Vinifera or Vidal
Rules around harvesting and winemaking procedures
Min sugar levels prescribed (higher than GER Eiswiein)
Artificial concentration or addition of sugar prohibited
Describe CAN Icewine production
Grapes must be harvested at -8C/18F or below
Some harvest by hand, but difficult to find pickers to work at night in cold so many now machine harvest
Freezing concentrates sugars in grapes so very high sugar level in must means ferment often stops @~9-11%, leaving 200-250 g/L RS
Often fermented and stored in SS to retain aromas of grape variety
Oak maturation is sometimes used for extra flavor (vanilla, clove)
Why is Icewine expensive to produce?
Yields are low, partly due to dehydration but also due to loss b/c of damage from bad weather, rot, animals while waiting for -8C temp
Sometimes picked by hand
What % of CAN volume is Icewine? % by export value?
represents only ~133% by volume
Made up 58% of CAN bottled-wine exports by value
Describe some of the general VQA rules
wines must be 100% vinifera or certain permitted hybrids
Standards for grape growing and wine production such as min must weights and chaptalization limits
Wines tested for eligibility thru sensory eval panel and lab analysis
If single variety stated on label —> must be main 85%
If 2 or more varieties on label —> those varieties must make up at least 95%
What is the latitude range for Ontario’s vineyards? What European areas are at similar latitude?
mainly planted at 41-44N latitude
Roughly equivalent of Central IT to BDX but with a significantly different climate
Describe the location of Ontario’s vineyards
Mainly planted on or near the shores of the 2 Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) which moderate extremes of Ontario’s continental climate
How does the location of Ontario’s vineyards generally affect the style of the wines?
cooling influence of lakes means wines tend to be M+ to High acid
However, due to long sunshine hrs during growing season, grapes develop ripe fruit flavors
Describe the soils of Ontario vineyard land
Variety
Clay and sand
Lesser extent gravel & rocks
Areas around the lakes have high concentration of limestone from an ancient seabed exposed over long period of glacial activity
What % of CAN Icewine is produced in Ontario
- approx 90%
For still, non-late harvest VQA wines in Ontario, what is the breakdown among Red, white, rosé?
Red and white are roughly equal
rosé ~4%
What grape(s) in Ontario?
Vidal (mainly for Icewine) is the most widely planted
Grape varieties that can ripen in cool climates and survive cold winters dominate
2 most planted white vinifera are Riesling and Chardonnay
CF is most planted black
Merlot, PN, Gamay Noir
Describe Ontario Riesling
high acidity
Citrus, peach, floral
Range from dry to sweet
Describe Ontario Chardonnay
M+ to High acidity
Apple and citrus typical of cooler climate, although some stone fruit and tropical can be found in warmer sites or vintages
Describe Cab Franc wine from Ontario
fresh, elegant
Red plum, red berry, green pepper, herbal
Many age in oak for great texture & complexity
Often used in BDX blends
Also used for Icewine
What are the primary appellations of Ontario?
Niagara Peninsula
Lake Erie North Shore
Prince Edward County
What is the typical quality and price level in Ontario?
quality is G to VG w/ some outstanding
Prices are typically $$ to $$$
Significant producers of Ontario
Inniskillin
Peller Estates
Describe Niagara Peninsula
Relative size
General soils
Generally where vineyards locate
largest wine producing region in Ontario (80% of vineyards)
Diverse area
From shores of Lake Ontario up to the Niagara Escarpment
Wide variety of soils and microclimates
Majority of vineyards situated on benches part way up the escarpment and on slopes just above them, although some situated above the escarpment
Describe the climate of Niagara Peninsula
wide variety of micro climates
Lake Ontario and Niagara Escarpment have major influence
Lake Ontario is one of the deepest of the Great Lakes —> takes longer to warm up in spring, and longer to cool down in autumn
The lake and escarpment aid in air circulation of the region
Describe the airflow of the Niagara Peninsula
during WI, land away from lake cools quickly
Cold air above land flows down the slope escarpment under influence of gravity
At same time, relatively warm air over the lake rises and flows inland
As cold air flows down escarpment, it is replaced by warm air above
The lake and escarpment provide warming air flow in WI and cooling air flow in SU, prolonging the growing season + reducing fros and fungal disease
What regional appellations are part of Niagara Peninsula
Niagara Escarpment
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Describe Niagara Escarpment
Covers the benches and gentle, N slopes of the escarpment (but not the land nearer to lake nor th plateau on top
Combo of altitude and cooling lake breezes makes this the coolest part of the Peninsula = high acidity
Grape(s) of Niagara Escarpment
Early ripening Chard & PN do well here
Also CF and Riesling
Describe Niagara-on-the-Lake
large area of relatively flat land along shores of Lake Ontario
Directly W of the Niagara River
Slightly warmer than the slopes of the escarpment
Grape(s) of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Main grapes = Chard, Riesling, PN, CF
Some looking more to BDX
Describe Lake Erie North Shore
stretches along the gently-sloping shoreline of Lake Erie
Includes a # of islands (incl Pelee Island)
Vineyard area almost completely surrounded by water —> moderates temps
Lake Erie is the shallowest lake of Great Lakes there fore it warms up more quickly in SP but cools down more quickly in AU —> freeze more of a risk
One of the warmest in Ontario
Grape(s) of Lake Erie North Shore
- Merlot, CF, CS
Describe Prince Edward County
General location
Particular challenges and implications
toward E end of Lake Ontario
Ontario’s most N appellation
Almost entirely surrounded by water
Fully exposed to WI winds coming over Lake Ontario from W
Due to latitude, WI freeze a regular concern —> need to protect vines in WI either by burying or covering
Soils of Prince Edward County
situated on broad limestone plateau w/ stony topsoil
Conducts heat and radiates it at night, aiding ripening
Grape(s) in Prince Edward County
PN and Chard are the most common
Both characterized by extremely high acidity in all but warmest vintages
Describe British Columbia
opposite side of CAN from Ontario
2 very distinct areas — small # of vineyards close to Pacific Coast w/ cool maritime climate AND majority of area is inland, sheltered from Maritime by mountain ranges, where Okanagan Valley is largest app.
Further N than Ontario @48-51N latitude
Growing season is shorter but during season, days are longer
Long hot summer w/ cool nights and wide diurnal
Very broadly, what style of wine comes from British Columbia’s climate?
b/c of wide diurnal range, grapes develop ripe fruit flavors while retaining high levels of acidity
Grape(s) in British Columbia
virtually equal mouths of red and white produced
Merlot most planted red/black
PN and CS
PG is most planted white
Chardonnay
General quality and price level of British Columbia
G to VG w/ some O
$$ to $$$
Describe Okanagan Valley
makes up almost 85% of British Columbia’s vine plantings
Wide range of climates from cool N end (one of most N in the world) to hot desert conditions in the S
Majority of soils are glacial deposits — particularly loams, becoming increasingly sandy in S
As a result irrigation is essential (provided by lakes)
Characterized by a chain of lakes which play important role in moderating the hot summer and cold WI temps
Annual rainfall ~300mm to 400mm
Is organic viticulture common in Okanagan Valley?
low rainfall (300-400mm) = dry conditions —> pests and diseases are not much of a problem
So, organic viticulture is on the rise
Describe the climate of Okanagan Valley
approx 300-400mm rain/yr
Extreme continental climate
WI cold, although not cold enough to need to bury vines
SP frost a concern so vineyards generally planted mid-slope to reduce risk
Growing season relatively short but days are long
SU can be hot — can reach 40C/ 104F despite lake effect
But altitude (300-600m) —> nights are cool = diurnal range
Grape(s) in Okanagan Valley
N end on E-facing slopes —> cooler climate —> PN, PG, Riesling, Chard, Gewurz
Hotter, S end, Merlot, CF, CS and Syrah
Describe the Similkameen Valley
in the W of the Okanagan Valley
Rugged, rocky Valley w/ narrow strip of ag land
High mountains on either side funnel constant winds down the valley
Climate sim to Okanagan Valley except that w/o any lakes to moderate temps, SU very hot and mountains trap heat in the valley later Ito p.m.
Once temps drop, due to altitude (400-500m), nights are cold, creating an even wider diurnal range
Grape(s) of Similkameen Valley
- Merlot, PN, CS, Chard
Describe Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Fraser Valley
small coastal regions
Cool maritime climate moderated by Pacific Ocean
Mild WI w/ no concern of WI freeze
SU cooler and wetter than elsewhere in BC
Fungal disease a problem
What is the state of imports/ exports of CAN wine?
w/ notable exception of Icewine, almost all CAN wine is consumed domestically
Domestic wine consumption has been on increase
Due to low production and inability to produce full-bodied, ripe wines of lower lattice climates, demand exceeds supply
CAN is a large net importer of wine
What are the top export markets for CAN
- China, USA, S Korea, Hing Kong, Japan
What is the typical wine biz in CAN
vineyards in CA tend to be small (esp BC)
Owned by both growers and estates
Majority grow their own grapes
Many supplement w/ grapes purchased
Many growers have moved into wine production contributing to a large increase in the # of wineries particularly in BC
