New York State Flashcards by Charlie Geoghegan

Who was Dr. Konstantin Frank? What did he do?

New York wines
Experiment with Riesling and Chardonnay => success
Founded “Vinifera Wine Cellars”

it was all hybrids until then

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Significance of New York’s Farm Winery Act of 1976

Allowed grape growers to open wineries and sell D2C

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What led to loads of wineries opening in New York State?

Farm Winery Act of 1976

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How many AVAs in New York State?

Most important: Finger Lakes AVA, Hudson River Region AVA, Long Island AVA

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How many wineries in New York State?

400

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Land under vine in Finger Lakes AVA?

3,800ha

Largest region in New York State

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Climate in Finger Lakes AVA

Continetnal with warm summers and cold winters

One of coldest AVAs in USA

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How many finger lakes are in the Finger Lakes AVA? So what?

region would be too cold to grow v. vinifera without them

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Comment on the nature of the finger lakes

not particularly large
but extremely deep
largest (Seneca Lake) is 200m deep
fail to freeze during winter

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Influence of lakes on Finger Lakes AVA

topography (slopes; enable cold air to drain toward water. air warms and rises, draws more cold air off land)
lake-effect snow: insulate vines in winter
warming influence in autumn: ripen over a long period, reduce autumn frost risk
spring: cool lake air delays budburst, reduce frost damage

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Name a few of the finger lakes

Canandaigua
Keuka
Seneca
Cayuga

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Most vineyards in Finger Lakes AVA located on what sort of topography?

Steeper areas
Cold air flows down towards the lake

(rather than in the cold air pockets in flat bench areas)

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New York State has fertile soils and sufficient rainfall. So what?

Low density planting is common

Big training and trellising eg Scott Henry

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How are vines protected from winter freeze in New York State?

Snow (natural)

hilling up the soil to cover the graft union

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Riesling and Cabernet Franc most planted white and black varieties in New York State. Why?

Ability to withstand cold winter tmperatures

Ability to ripen sufficiently in the growing season

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Most planted vinifera grape in New York State?

Riesling!

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Most New York State Riesling is what sweetness level?

Dry to medium-dry

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New York State Riesling: style

Dry to sweet
High acid
Medium (-) to medium body
Fresh apple, lemon, peach
Alcohol low to medium

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Winemaking for Riesling in New York State?

Protective winemaking
Cool ferment, steel
Some skin contact maybe (texture and flavour0
OR
keep on lees after ferment (texture)

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How is RS achieved in New York State Riesling?

Late harvest, botrytis and/or stop ferment early

What is Chardonnay used for in New York State?

Still and sparkling wines

Chardonnay style (still wines) in New York State

Medium body
Medium (+) to high acid
Citrus
Ferment and mature in oak (texture, toast)

Most planted black vinifera grape in New York State

Cabernet Franc

Why is Cabernet Franc able to produce adequate yields of ripe grapes in most years in Finger Lakes?

Mid-ripening

Winter hardy

Comment on oak use for Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc?

Less new oak being used Some producers make at least one unoaked Cab Franc French or Hungarian oak used (subtle vs American oak)

New York Finger Lakes Cab Franc style

Medium (-) to medium body Medium (-) to medium tannins Red cherry, cranberry, black plum Herbaceous

Vinifera grapes in Finger Lakes other than Riesling, Cab Franc and Chardonnay?

``` Pinot Noir Gewurtztraminer Cab Sauv Merlot Pinot Gris ```

Significant producers in Finger Lakes AVA

Hermann J. Wiemer | Forge Cellars

Hybrids and American vine species used for what in New York?

Grape juice Jellies, jams Some for wine (inexpensive)

Hybrids and American vines used for inexpensive wine in New York. Why?

Easier to grow than Vinifera | Lower quality than Vinifera

Hybrids with some quality potential in New York State?

Traminette | Vignoles

What is Traminette?

A hybrid in New York Some quality potential Gezurztraminer-like aromas but higher acid and lower alcohol

What is Vignoles?

``` Hybrid variety (New York) Noble rot, high acid, non-dry styles ```

What is Vidal used for in New York State?

Ice wine

Long Island AVA split into which two sub-AVas?

North Fork AVA | The Hamptons AVA

What surrounds the Long Island AVA?

Water! | Atlantic Ocean, Peconic Bay, Long Island Sound

Climate in Long Island AVA?

maritime long growing season surrounded by water!

What grapes are grown in Long Island AVA? Why?

Bordeaux black varieties, esp. Merlot Chard, Sauvignon Maritime climate with long growing season

High humidity in Long Island AVA. So what?

Fungal disease a problem | But windy weather in coastal sites can help

Options for managing humidity in Long Island AVA?

Spraying Leaf removal (improve air circulation around grapes) Sorting grapes in vyd or winery

Warmer of the two sub-AVAs in Long Island AVA?

North Fork AVA | Slightly warmer, protected from Atlantic Ocean

Which has more vineyards/wineries: North Fork AVA or The Hamptons AVA?

North Fork AVA (60 wineries) The Hamptons has six wineries

Significant producers in Long Island AVA

Wolffer Estate | Channing Daughters

Which AVA is home to the USA's oldest active winery (and first commercial winery)?

Hudson River Region AVA | New York State

Hudson River Region AVA covers a vast area from north of NYC to south of Albany. But how much land under vine?

64ha!

Grapes grown in Hudson River Region AVA

Hybrids (Seyval Blanc, Vidal) | Vinifera (Riesling, Chard, Cab Franc)

How many wineries in New York State?

470 | 120 are in the Finger LAkes AVA

Before the New York Faarm Winery Act 1976, New York was dominated by large, commercial wineries. What happened to them?

They WERE making big volumes with American vines Act changed everything => small estates, quality focus, vinifera Large wineries either adapted or declined