Ch.16 – United States of America Flashcards

1
Q

History of USA Sparkling

A
  • Goes back to 19th C (eg Korbel & Bros)
  • Modern period 1965 Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc - first commercial use of Chardonnay in sparkling
  • 1973 Moet et Chandon (Dom Chandon) spearheaded Champagne & Cava cos in US
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2
Q

USA Sparkling in one card

A
  • Trad method, tank method and now Pet Nat made
  • Mainly California (more than half total US sparkling)
  • Also Oregan, Washington State
  • Trad method Chardonnay & Pinot Noir blends (tiny Meunier) good - outstanding, mid priced to super prem
  • Med intensity ripe yellow apple and lemon, toasty autolytic notes, med (+) acidity. Typically Brut.
  • Tank fermented addition fruit (raspberries, peach) often in Extra Dry, noticeable residual sugar. Cheap - mid price
  • A little Pet Nat
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3
Q

Why is California a good climate for Sparkling?

A
  • Coastal region cooled by cold Pacific Ocean. Cool air from coast drawn to hotter Central Valley, also fogs, along rivers and gaps in mountains
    • ideal fro Chardonnay & pinot Noir with ripe flavours, yet high acidity (diurnals) and moderate alcohol
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4
Q

Grapes grown for sparkling in Californian

A
  • Trad method
    • Chardonnay
    • Pinot Noir
  • Tank method
    • Pinot Gris
    • Sauvignon Blanc
    • Viognier
    • Syrah
    • Tempranillo
    • if warm, harvested early, may need res sugar to compensate for under-ripe flavours
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5
Q

Three most important regions in California for Sparkling wine

A
  • Anderson Valley AVA (Mendocino County) NW part close to Pacific, cool breeze/fog up Navarro Valley, moderates temp & sunshine hours, high diurnals - high acidity. Roederer Estate. Still wine makers make little sparkling. Many wineries outside buy Anderson grapes for sparkling
  • Russian River Valley AVA (Sonoma County) cool breeze/fog via river and Petaluma Gap. Home to sparkling pioneer Korbel.
  • Carneros AVA (Sonoma & Napa Counties) Not on coast, but cooled by San Pablo Bay. Home to Gloria Ferrer (Freixenet Cava) & Dom Carneros (Taittinger)
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6
Q

Very brief descriptions of 5 lesser Californian wine regions

A
  • Napa Valley (now too hot, but Schramsberg based here, get fruit elsewhere. Some use name and some grapes eg Mumm Napa uses Napa fruit)
  • Monterey (identifed in 1940s by Winkler & Amerine)
  • Edna Valley & Arroyo Grande AVAs (San Luis Obsipo County) close to coast
  • Santa Maria Valley & Sta Rita Hills (Santa Barbara County) also Winkler & Amerine
  • Lodi - too warm, but Weibel tank fermented/ fruity
    • also trad method adding viognier and Alicante Bouschet in rosé
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7
Q

Describe Washington State for Sparkling wines

A
  • Second largest state for sparkling
  • Biggest producer by far Chateau Ste Michelle
  • Northerly latitude, extra daylight hours, high diurnals = light intensity aromas, med-med (+) acidity.
  • Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier blends - Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs
  • also single varietal Muller Thurgau, Riesling and Gewurztraminer
  • Very competitively priced, so popular in US
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8
Q

Describe Oregon for Sparkling wines

A
  • Cool climate of Willamette Valley - slow ripen and retain high acidity, so adding sparkling to existing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir offering
  • Pioneer specialist Argyle
  • Mobile wine-making units advise small prods and help make base wines.
  • Specialists like Radiant Sparkling Wine can help with technical processes of trad method
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9
Q

Winemaking in United States for Sparkling

A
  • Premium - trad method, Cheap - tank
  • Premium often blend range of base wines (esp high acid with ripe fruit, low acid)
  • Many have extended lees ageing (eg 3 yrs) for toasty autolytic. Adds to cost and therefore price.
  • Blanc de Noirs (esp Pinot Noir) common in US, but no specific regulations, so some white used (Schramsberg 10% Chardonnay)
  • Small batches made by small producers using custom crush like Rack & Riddle in Sonoma and Brut Custom Crush in Napa.
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10
Q

Can American Sparkling wine be called Champagne?

A
  • Yes, if brand established before 2006 and geographic origin accompanies it (typically California Champagne)
  • New US brands cannot
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11
Q

Types of company involved in US wine business

A
  • Specialist sparkling wine cos often founded by Champagne & Cava houses eg Roederer Estate
    • have wide US distribution and export a little
  • Wine cos producing small batch, premium sparkling
    • sold at cellar door, direct to consumer, hospitality or resort business or locally (eg Schramsberg)
  • Large wine cos producing cheap sparkling as part of range eg Barefoot and Cupcake
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12
Q

Wine sales US Sparkling

A
  • 2016 11m cases Californian sold in US (43% total shipments US sparkling that year)
  • Sparkling steady growth last 15 yrs, but Californian lost share to imports, esp Prosecco
  • Sparkling used to be seen as special occasion only, with large domestic brands dominant, but millennials perceive foreign wines as more authentic
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