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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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