D3 - New York

Question 1

What three overarching New York AVAs do you need to know for the exam?

Answer 1

1. Finger Lakes AVA;
2. Long Island AVA;
3. Hudson River Region AVA.

Question 2

What is the climate of Finger Lakes AVA?

Answer 2

Continental climate.

Question 3

What makes grape growing possible in the Finger Lakes, a notoriously frigid region?

Answer 3

Lakes – there are eleven of them and all are quite deep, which means they moderate the growing area in the winter.

Question 4

What are four ‘lake effects’ of the Finger Lakes?

Answer 4

1. The warm air around the lake draws cold air off the land by sucking cold air in from the slopes around the lake and making that cold air rise with its warm air;
2. They make their own “lake effect” snow, which insulates the vines in winter;
3. Reduces autumn frost risk because they release their stored summer warmth (this also lengthens the growing period);
4. Cool air off the lake in the spring delays budburst, which reduces risk of spring frost.

Question 5

1. New York’s soils are fertile or infertile?
2. New York’s annual rainfall is low, sufficient, or high?
3. What do these two things mean for vine density and canopy?

Answer 5

1. Fertile;
2. Sufficient;
3. Vineyards are planted at low density of large vines where the canopy is split to increase air circulation and solar penetration.

Question 6

What are the three most planted V. vinifera grape varieties in the Finger Lakes?

Answer 6

1. Riesling;
2. Chardonnay;
3. Merlot*.

*This reflects the 2024-25 updated Diploma reading materials.

Question 7

Is most New York Riesling made:

• Protectively or oxidatively?
• Fermented at cool or warm temperatures?
• In what vessel?

Answer 7

• Protectively;
• Cool temps;
• Stainless steel.

Question 8

What types of oak are most commonly used in Finger Lakes winemaking?

Why?

Answer 8

French or Hungarian;

They give subtler flavors (American oak is not used because it would overpower the wine).

Question 9

What are the three bodies of water that surround Long Island AVA?

Answer 9

1. Atlantic Ocean;
2. Peconic Bay;
3. Long Island Sound.

Question 10

What is the climate of Long Island AVA?

Answer 10

Maritime climate.

Question 11

The maritime climate of Long Island AVA means that what is problematic?

Answer 11

Fungal disease.

Question 12

What helps mitigate fungal disease pressure on Long Island?

Answer 12

Breezes off the bodies of water.

Question 13

• The soils of the North Fork of Long Island are _____.
• The soils of the Hamptons are _____.

Answer 13

• North Fork: sandy soils
• Hamptons: silty loam soils

Question 14

Long Island is known for growing these French red grape varieties.

Answer 14

Bordeaux varieties – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc.

Question 15

What are the soils of the Hudson River Region?

Answer 15

Glacial deposits – shale, slate, schist and limestone.

Question 16

What is the climate of the Hudson River Region?

Answer 16

Continental climate.

Question 17

In New York state,

• If a grape variety is on the label, ___% of the stated grape must be in the wine.
• If an AVA is on the label, ___% of the grapes must come from the stated AVA.
• If a vintage is on the label, ___% of the grapes must come from the stated vintage.

Answer 17

• Grape – 75%
• AVA – 85%
• Vintage – 95%

Question 18

What did the New York Farm Winery Act in 1976 allow grape growers to do?

Answer 18

• Open wineries;
• Sell the wines they vinified directly to the public.

Question 19

How much wine can New York wineries sell per year (in gallons or liters)?

Answer 19

Wineries can sell up to 50,000 gallons [190,000 L] per year).

That’s just over 250,000 bottles.

Question 20

What general species of vines do most New York wineries grow?

Answer 20

Most grow a mixture of native, hybrid and vinifera vines.

Question 21

What is the most planted grape of either color in New York State?

Answer 21

Concord.