North America Flashcards
Who is considered the father of Californian wine and when did the legend begin?
Hungarian born “Count” Agoston Haraszthy, founded Buena Vista in in Sonoma 1849. Responsible for introduction of over 300 grape varietals but not Zinfandel
Name the 3 important foundational winery’s of the Napa valley and their dates established
Schramsberg in 1862
Beringer in 1876 (Napa’s oldest continuously operating winery)
Inglennook 1880
What is Norton and why is it important?
Norton is one of the most “respected” grape hybrids of America. A cross between vitis vinifera and vitis aestivalis species. This grape produces med to full bodied wines, good tannin and colour with red fruit and slight pepper aromas.
This grape varietal is found predominantly in Missouri where it is the state grape variety but can also be found in Kansas, Virginia and Texas
When was American prohibition from/until
Jan 17 1920 - Dec 5 1933
What was the ramifications of post prohibition times on wine makers
Due to only minimal amounts of sacramental and religious wines being able to be produced high quality wine making had atrophied. Sweet and fortified wines accounted for 81% of all Californian wines in 1935 and cheep generic table wines became the focus of the market until roughly the early 1970s
Who was Andre Tchelistcheff and why is he important?
Hired by Georges de Latour (not related to latour) in 1938 to oversee Beaulieu wine production. Russian born and French trained he introduced modern concepts of tempature controlled fermentation, controlled malolactic fermentation and increased hygiene standards.
He is also responsible for training Robert Mondavi, Louis Martini, Joe Heitz and Mike Grgich(Chardonnay won judgment of Paris)
Considered the most influential man in all of Napa wines
What year did still wine surpass fortified in domestic consumption in the USA
1967
When was the first fume Blanc produced and by who?
By Robert Mondavi in 1968 Napa Valley
When was the first Pinot noir grapes planted in the Willamitte Valley and by who?
1965 by David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards
What were the top ranked white and red wines of the 1976 judgment of Paris?
Stags leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cab Sauv and Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay
What major change in the 1980s for Californian wine?
Reemergence of phylloxera, forcing the replanting of over 50% of Napa Valley wines. This led to the ability to rethink variety and clonal selections for site and layer the groundwork for a stylistic change in the 1990s focusing towards higher ripeness, body and alcohol
What was America’s first AVA?
Augusta, Missouri in late 1980. Napa valley gain status in 1981
What is the major difference between AVAs and new world PDOs compared to other traditional old world examples
New world only dictate area in which the grapes are grown rather than also varietal, alcohol, density ect.
What climactic features make California suited to grape growing?
Ample sunshine, mild winters, Low humidity (decreased disease pressure), fogs and cool sea breezes increasing diurnal swings
What are the 5 large major AVAs of California?
North Coast Central Coast South Coast San Fransisco Bay Sierra foothills
What is the Californian central valley and what kind of wine does it produce?
The Californian Central Valley is an inland area that is responsible for large bulk wine production. 75% of all non AVA Californian wines are produced here. Large plantings of Chenin Blanc and Colombard along with the regular suspects
What is Valdiguié and what kind of wine does it produce?
Valdiguié is a red wine varietal typically grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon. Can be known as Gros Auxerrois. Was mistaken as Gamay when first brought to USA and was referred to as Napa Gamay or Gamay 15 until outlawed in 1999
What is meritage and what kind of wine does it produce?
A term trademarked by the meritage alliance of California, the term refers to a premium red or white blend made of Bordeaux grapes where no wine makes up more than 90% of the full blend
What is white Zinfandel and where did the style first appear
White Zinfandel is a sweet pink rose style wine with high sugar and low alcohol which was the result of a stuck fermentation by Sutter home Winery in 1975
What are the 2 major distinctions in AVAs in Napa Valley
Northern or southern - southern vineyards closer to San Pablo bay are far cooler due to sea breezes being funnelled in and are able to produce sparkling wines while the far north reaches above 30 degrees Celsius.
Mountian and valley AVAs - with an altitude change of 0-2000 ft above sea level, altitude is massively important. Mountian AVAs are more affected by diurnal shift and produce cab sauv of density, dark fruits and concentration, with more pronounced acid. Valley AVAs produce a more elegant and supple style of cab with less intensity of colour.
