North America Flashcards
The United States is now the leading ______________ of wine in the world.
Consumer
How much wine does the US produce?
350 million cases
What percentage of US wine production is California responsible for?
81%
How many bonded wineries are there in the US?
16 thousand, in all 50 states.
What are the earliest examples of fermented beverages in North America?
a) a corn-based beer in 828 bCE
b) also raspberry wine produced by native Alaskans
c) fermented beverage based on the roots of the ti plant in Hawaii
When and where were the first vinifera based vines planted in North America?
a) 1620s and 1770
b) New Mexico and California
Describe the first winemaking in Mexico post colonization?
By Catholic missionaries using the Mission grape for sacramental purposes.
What two historic events galvanized winemaking in North America and which twin disasters dealt the industry a nearly deadly blow?
a) The end of the Mexican War (when the West became a part of America) and the Gold Rush
b) Phylloxera and Prohibition
Which winemakers are credited with making wine “fashionable” again in the US and when?
1) Robert Mondavi
2) Mike Grgich
3) Warren Winiarski
4) 1960s
Which 2 wines won the judgment of Paris?
1) Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 SLV Cabernet Sauvignon made by Warren Winiarski from 3 year old vines
2) Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay made by Jim Barrett.
Which winemakers are credited for putting consistent, reasonably priced wine on American tables after Prohibition?
Ernest and Julio Gallo
Who is Agoston Haraszthy?
Hungarian immigrant who brought many European vines to Sonoma in 1861
Who founded the first Napa Valley winery, and when?
Charles Krug in 1861
What is Bob Trinchero most famous for?
The accidental invention of Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel
Which winemaker is known for introducing many modern techniques to American?
Andre Tchelistcheff
What wine journalist introduced the concept of varietal labeling?
Frank Schoonmaker
Who’s considered the Grandfather of California wine?
Robert Mondavi
Who founded one of the first commercial wineries in the US using grapes from the Ohio River Valley? When and what did it make?
a) Nicholas Longworth
b) 1830s
c) some of the first sparkling wine in America
What is the primary difference between the appellation system in America and that of Europe?
No restrictions with respect to varietals, yields, alcohol levels, viticulture or winemaking techniques.
What are the two main types of appellations in the US?
1) political boundaries such as counties or states
2) AVAs based on viticultural characteristics
What does AVA stands for?
American Viticultural Area
Who determines and keeps track of appellations in the US?
The TTB
How many AVAs are there currently?
267 across 30 states
147 in California
What 8 pieces of information must appear on a wine label (s)?
- Brand name
- Class/type of wine
- ABV
- Name/address of the bottler or importer
- Place of origin
- Volume
- Sulfite statement
- Health warning
Why are wines often shelved with the “back label” facing forward?
Bottlers often design a back label that is more creative and descriptive than the rules for the front label–which require brand, class and ABV–allow. Retailers inevitably choose to display this label instead.
What are semi-generic names and what are the rules regarding their use?
European place names such as California “Champagne” that have been in use for so long that they are essentially grandfathered. Only labels approved prior to 2006 may be used and no new label after 2006 can be submitted.
How might the label of a negotiant or merchant’s wine read differently from a grower’s wine?
“Blended, cellared and bottled by” as opposed to “Grown, produced and bottled by”
For wines labeled by country of origin only, how what percentage of the wine must actually BE from that country?
75%
What percentage of grapes must be from the harvest year of the vintage specified on the bottle of American wine?
95% from an AVA
85% from all other appellations
What may be stated on a wine label if the wine is under 14%?
Table Wine
How much variance is allowed if the alcohol percentage IS stated?
1.5% up to 14%
1% if over 14%
What two health warnings must appear on the wine label?
- Pregnancy warning
- Driving/equipment impairment warning
What is NOT allowed to appear on a wine label?
Any suggestion of the health benefits of wine.
What is “Meritage”?
A term created by the Meritage Association in 1988 for Bordeaux-style blends made in American that adhere to strict conditions–for instance, it must be the winery’s most expensive wine and production cannot exceed 25,000.
What are the rules for “estate bottled” wine?
- Grapes must come for vineyard(s) owned or leased by winery.
- Vineyards must be from single AVA
- Winery must be located in same AVA
What are three examples of common label terms that are NOT legally regulated in the US?
- Reserve
- Special Selection
- Old Vines
Why is the West Coast of America best suited for winegrowing?
Coastal and Cascade Mountains for a barrier to ocean air.
Why is viticulture more challenging on the East Coast?
Warm air from the Gulf Stream is pushed upward, creating humid conditions ideal for plant diseases and fungi.
How are native labrusca grapes often described?
Foxy
What are three examples of “Native American Hybrids”?
- Norton
- Catawba
- Delaware
- Concord
In which two ways did Native American vines provide solutions to phylloxera?
- Hybridization
- Grafting
Name three successful hybrid grapes?
- Vidal
- Seyval Blanc
- Chambourcin
What is the minimum content for the following in the US?
a) variety
b) vintage
c) country/state/county
d) AVA
e) vineyard
a) 75%
b) 85% (95% for AVA)
c) 75%
d) 85%
e) 95%
Which states have stricter labeling guidelines and what are they?
1) California - 100% State appellation
2) Washington State - 95% State appellation
3) Oregon - 90% key varieties, 100% state, 95% AVA
What grape is identical to Zinfandel and who most likely brought it to the US?
- Crljenak Kastelanski
- George Gibbs of Long Island in1820s.
What grape is identical to Petit Sirah?
- Durif
- Syrah X Peloursin
- Named after botanist Francois Durif after accidental crossingin 1860s.
What 3 synonyms are no longer allowed in the US?
- White Riesling
- Napa Gamay
- Johannisberg Riesling
What are the 5 super-AVAs of California?
- North Coast
- San Francisco Bay
- Sierra Foothills
- Central Coast
- South Coast
What is the climate of California?
Mediterranean
What is a legal synonym for Sauvignon Blanc in the US?
Fume Blanc
How much money does the wine industry in California produce statewide and nationally?
$61 billion and $121 billion
What are the majority of California’s grapes grown?
In the Central Valley, particularly San Joaquin.
How much wine production is Napa Valley responsible for and why is this interesting?
a) 4%
b) third largest in acreage, after San Joaquin and Sonoma, but low yields keep output low
What is the lead grape in Napa and how many acres are dedicated to it?
a) Cabernet Sauvignon
b) 22,000 acres
What geographical features moderate the climate in Napa?
1) Mountains–Vaca and Mayacamas
2) Napa River
3) San Pablo Bay
How many AVAs are located in Napa County?
17
What is one of the warmest and north-most valley floor appellations in Napa?
Calistoga AVA
Which Napa AVA is known for its “dust”?
Rutherford AVA
What valley floor AVA in Napa is warmed by its bare rocks?
Stag’s Leap District AVA
Which valley floor appellation in Napa has relatively high elevations (1100 ft)?
Chiles Valley AVA
In which relatively cool valley floor AVA in Napa is Chardonnay the leading grape?
Oak Knoll District AVA
Which valley floor AVA in Napa lends itself to botrytis?
Coombsville AVA
What is one of the coolest AVAs in Napa and what is made there?
a) Carneros
b) Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling wine
Which Napa AVA is shared with Solano County and what is grown there?
a) Wild Horse Valley AVA
b) Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Which mountain AVA in Napa is elevation specific, and what is that elevation?
a) Howell Mountain AVA
b) 1400 ft
Name the valley floor AVA of Napa.
1) Calistoga AVA
2) St. Helena AVA
3) Rutherford AVA
4) Oakville AVA
5) Stag’s Leap District AVA
6) Chiles Valley AVA
7) Oak Knoll AVA
8) Coombsville AVA
9) Carneros AVA
10) Wild Horse Valley AVA
Name the AVAs located in Mayacamas?
1) Diamond Mountain District
2) Spring Mountain District
3) Mt. Veeder
How much of California’s winegrowing acreage is located in Sonoma?
1/8
Where are the a) coolest and b) warmest parts of Sonoma County?
a) the gap where the Russian River breaks through the coastal range
b) the northeast corner, away from moderating influences
What is the leading grape in Sonoma?
Chardonnay - 80% of all white wine production
What are the three sub-appellations of the Sonoma Coast AVA, and when were they founded?
1) Fort Ross-Seaview AVA 2011
2) Petaluma Gap AVA - 2017
3) West Sonoma Coast AVA
What grapes are mostly grown in the Russian River Valley AVA?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
What are two sub-appellations of the Russian River Valley AVA?
1) Green Valley of Russian River Valley
2) Chalk Hill AVA
Where did Chalk Hill get its name?
Chalky appearance of white, volcanic soils
What wines are Chalk Hill known for?
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc
What are four sub-appellations of the Sonoma Valley AVA?
- Sonoma Mountain AVA
- Bennett Valley AVA
- Moon Mountain District Sonoma County AVA
- Carneros/Los Carneros AVA
What are the moderating factor of the Sonoma Valley AVA?
a) Sonoma and Mayacamas mountains
b) watershed of Sonoma Creek
c) San Pablo Bay
Which Sonoma Valley AVA is known for its red, rocky, iron-rich soils?
Moon Mountain District AVA
Which cool-climate AVA is shared between Napa and Sonoma?
Carneros/Los Carneros
Name 7 inland Sonoma AVAs.
- Dry Creek AVA
- Rockpile AVA
- Alexander Valley AVA
- Knights Valley AVA
- Pine Mountain/Cloverdale Peak AVA
- Fountaingrove District AVA
- Northern Sonoma AVA
Which inland Sonoma AVA is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains and contains elevations of over 2000 feet asl?
Fountaingrove District AVA
Which large Sonoma AVA encompasses most others, except __________ and __________, and what does this allow?
a) Northern Sonoma AVA
b) Sonoma Valley
c) Carneros
d) many wines to be labeled “estate bottled”
What wines are Alexander Valley AVA known for?
Fruit-forward Cabernet Sauvignons
Which two inland Sonoma AVAs are known for Zinfandel?
1) Dry Creek
2) Rockpile
Within Mendocino AVA is the __________________ AVA, one of the coolest growing areas in California. It’s known for ______________. _______________, ______________, ________________ and _______________ ___________ production.
a) Anderson Valley AVA
b) Pinot Noir
c) RIesling
d) Gewurztraminer
e) Pinot Gris
f) Sparkling wine
What percentage of Mendocino winegrowing is certified organic?
25%
What is the smallest AVA in the US and where is it located?
a) Cole Ranch AVA
b) Mendocino County
Which AVA is known as Islands in the Sky and why?
a) Mendocino Ridge AVA
b) noncontiguous, only elevations of 1200 feet above sea level are included.
Which California appellation is the largest geothermal field in North America and purest air quality in California?
Lake County
What are the 7 AVAs in Lake County?
- Clear Lake AVA
- Benmore Valley AVA
- High Valley AVA
- Red Hills AVA
- Big Valley District AVA
- Kelsey Bench AVA
- Guenoc Valley AVA
- Upper Lake Valley AVA
Which cities are north and south of the Central Coast?
a) San Francisco
b) Santa Barbara
What are three important counties contained within the Central Coast AVA?
a) Monterey
b) San Luis Obispo
c) Santa Barbara
Which two AVAs are specifically excluded from the Central Coast AVA?
1) Santa Cruz Mountains
2) Ben Lomond Mountain
________% of California’s Chardonnay is made in ________________ County.
a) 20%
b) Monterey
Why is Monterey well-suited to cool climate varietals?
The wind gaps run East-West
Name three cool climate appellations in Monterey county?
1) Santa Lucia Highlands
2) Arroyo Seco
3) Chalone
Name two warmer AVAs in Monterey county?
1) San Lucas
2) Hames Valley
Which large AVA is located in San Luis Obispo county and is home to 11 sub-AVAs, including the Templeton Gap District?
Paso Robles
Besides Paso Robles, what are four AVAs in San Luis Obispo County?
1) York Mountain
2) San Luis Obispo Coast
3) Edna Valley
4) Arroyo Grande Valley
What geographical feature distinguishes Santa Barbara County?
Both the coastline and the mountains run East-West instead of North-South
What the largest AVA in Santa Barbara County?
Santa Ynez
Which Santa Barbara AVA is foggy, windswept and known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production?
Santa Maria Valley
What AVA located within Santa Ynez is known for spicy reds made from Syrah and Grenache?
Ballard Canyon
Which Santa Barbara AVA is known as the Goldilocks Rhone Zone?
Alisos Canyon
Where does Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA get it’s name from?
The production of bootleg liquor during Prohibition.
Name two smaller AVAs located mostly within Santa Ynez, besides Ballard and Happy Canyon?
1) St. Rita Hills
2) Los Olivos District
What is primarily produced in the Central Valley and what percentage of California’s vines are located there?
a) bulk wine, grape juice, raisins
b) 55%
What kind of climate does Lodi have, and why?
a) Mediterranean
b) a gap in the Coastal Range, at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay, allows cool Pacific air to move inland.
Which Lodi vineyard, planted in 1886, has some of the world’s oldest Cinsault plantings?
Bechthold Vineyard
Which scattered AVA is located in the foothills of the Sierras, contains 1% of California’s vine acreage, and is known for Zinfandel?
Sierra Foothills AVA
What is considered the birthplace of the California wine industry, when did it happen and who was responsible?
a) San Diego de Alcala
b) 1769
c) Father Junipero Serra
What is Don Luis del Aliso’s real name and what was his contribution to California wine?
1) Jean-Louis Vignes
2) The Frenchman planted Bordeaux varietals and made wine in Southern California
What two factors led to the decline of the Southern California wine industry?
1) Prohibition
2) Pierce’s Disease
Which Southern California AVA has 3000 acres under vine and is known for a variety of grapes?
Temecula AVA
What grapes are Washington State most known for?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
What are two important geographical features in Washington State?
- Cascade Mountains
- Columbia River
Most Washington State wineries are located __________ of the _________________, which create ______________-like conditions.
a) east
b) Cascades
c) desert
Which AVA in Washington is located West of the Cascades and how much production is it responsible for?
a) Puget Sound AVA
b) 1%
What is the largest AVA in Washington State?
Columbia Valley AVA
Which sub-appellation of Columbia Valley benefits from a “lake effect”?
Lake Chelan AVA
What is one of the driest and warmest AVAs within Columbia Valley?
Wahluke Slope AVA
What AVA is located about 200 ft higher than the surrounding areas and is named because of a deep layer of lakebed sediment? What is layer called?
a) White Bluffs AVA
b) Ringold Formation
What kind of soils can be found in Naches Heights AVA and why is this significant?
a) windblown loess with clay
b) helps with water retention
Which AVA produces some of the highest quality wines in Washington State?
Heaven Horse Hills AVA
Describe the geography and topography of the Burn of Columbia Valley AVA?
a) triangular shaped
b) southeast flavored benchland sloping toward the river
The Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley is named for more than ________ potlakes formed by the _______________ Floods more than _________________ years ago.
a) 30
b) Missoula
c) 12,000
Which Columbia Valley sub-appellation is situated atop a unique crystalline bedrock?
Rocky Reach AVA
Which AVA is known for Washington State’s first 100-pt Syrah, and what was it’s name?
a) Royal Slope AVA
b) Charles Smith Royal CIty 2006
Which Columbia Valley AVA spills in Oregon and has grown grapes since the 1850s, planted by Italian immigrants?
Walla Walla Valley AVA
Which Columbia Valley AVA produces mostly white wine and what is the leading varietal?
a) Yakima Valley
b) Chardonnay
Name 5 small AVAs located within Yakima Valley?
1) Rattlesnake Hills
2) Red Mountain
3) Snipes Mountain
4) Candy Mountain
5) Goose Gap
Which two eastern AVAs in Washington are located outside Columbia Valley?
1) Columbia Gorge AVA
2) Lewis-Clark Valley AVA
Where is 72% of the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA located?
Idaho
What three rivers roughly define the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA?
1) Snake
2) Clearwater
3) Grand
What wines are Oregon primarily known for?
Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and sparkling wine
Which three UC Davis graduates separately planted vineyards in the Willamette Valley between 1965-1968?
1) David Lett
2) Charles Coury
3) Dick Erath
Which top Burgundy negotiant established an estate winery in 1988 and what is its name?
a) Maison Joseph Drouhin
b) Domaine Drouhin
Where are most of Oregon’s vineyards located?
In the valley of the Willamette River, west of the Cascades; also in the valleys of the Umpqua and Rogue Rivers
Name the 11 sub-AVAs of the Willamette Valley.
- Chehalem Mountains
- Dundee Hills
- Ribbon Ridge
- Eola-Amity
- Laurelwood District
- Lower Long Tom
- McMinnville
- Mount Pisgah- Polk Country
- Tualatin Hills
- Yamhill-Carlton District
- Van Duzer Corridor
Where are the Rogue and Umpqua Valley AVAs located?
South of the Willamette Valley on the California border
Which 3 appellations straddle the Washington-Oregon border?
- Columbia Gorge
- Columbia Valley
- Walla Walla Valley
Which appellation lies entirely within the Oregon portion of the Walla Walla Valley?
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA
Snake River Valley AVA accounts for ___________ percent of vine acreage in the state of ______________.
a) 85%
b) Idaho
What two climatic factors pose challenges to grape-growing in New York?
High summer humidity and harsh winters
Which AVA comprises 85% of New York wine production and what are it’s two sub-AVAs?
a) Finger Lakes AVA
b) Seneca Lake
c) Cayuga Lake
What are the 3 main lakes of the Finger Lakes region?
a) Seneca
b) Keuka
c) Cayuga
What labrusca varietal and which 3 hybrids thrive in the Finger Lakes?
a) Concord
b) Vidal
c) Seyval Blanc
d) Cayuga
Who is credited with proving that Vinifera could be cultivated in New York in the 1960s?
Dr. Konstantin Frank
When were the first vines planted in Long Island?
1973
What climate does Long Island possess?
Maritime
What are the 3 primary AVAs in Long Island?
- Long Island AVA
- North Fork of Long Island AVA
- Hamptons AVA
The Hudson River Region AVA is home to which two historic places?
a) Brotherhood Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in the US
b) Benmarl Vineyards, planted in the early 1800s and one of the oldest vineyards in the US
What happened in 1974 that galvanized the Canadian wine industry?
The repeal of a decades long moratorium on winery licenses
Which Canadian winery is credited with Canada’s international reputation for icewine?
The Inniskillen Estate Winery in Niagara
Which province is the largest producer of Canada wine, and how many acres are under vine?
a) Ontario
b) 17,000
What is the moderating influence in Ontario?
The Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario and Lake Eerie
What is the regulatory body in Ontario?
VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance
What appellation known as in Ontario?
DVAs (Dedicated Viticultural Areas)
Which grapes are used to produce icewine in Canada?
Riesling and Vidal, also Cabernet Franc
What are the 3 primary DVAs in Ontario?
1) Niagara Peninsula
2) Lake Erie North Shore
3) Prince Edward Country
Ontario is the world’s leading producer of _________________.
Icewine
Along what parallel is British Columbia located?
49th
Where are most British Columbian vineyards located?
Okanagan Valley, between the Cascades and the Columbia mountains.
Besides Okanagan Valley, what areas of British Columbia can sustain commercial viticulture?
- Vancouver Island
- Gulf Islands
- the Kootenays
Which body oversees the DVAs of British Columbia?
British Columbia Wine Authority
Which four hybrids thrive in Quebec?
- Frontenac
- Seyval Blanc
What is the icewine produced in Quebec known as?
Vin de Glace du Quebec
What is Tidal Bay
Still white wine made from 100% Nova Scotia grapes
Where is 90% of Mexican wine production centered?
Valle de Guadalupe near the city of Ensenada
What is the climate in the Valle de Guadalupe?
Mediterranean
What is the Ruta del Vino?
Literally a “wine route” that connects over 50 wineries between Tecate and Tijuana
The Mexican state of ______________ is home to ______________, one of the oldest wineries in the Americas, founded by _____________________.
a) Cohuila
b) Casa Madero
c) Don Lorenzo de Garcia
What is the moderating influence near Casa Madero?
Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains
