North America Flashcards
Who is associated with the wine industry’s flourish in the United States in the 1850’s and why?
Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian fur trader, saw the potential of Sonoma in particular and is considered the father of the California wine industry. He founded the Buena Vista winery in 1857 and is credited with importing European vinifera vines to California.
List some of the USA’s wine industry setbacks starting in the late-1800’s.
- Phylloxera made its way to California vineyards in the 1880s and 1890s.
- Enactment of Prohibition (1920 – 1933). At the time Prohibition was repealed in 1933, fewer than 100 wineries remained.
- Repeal occurred during the Great Depression, which badly hampered industry recovery.
- Because the Depression was followed immediately by World War II, a full-scale revival took nearly five decades from the onset of Prohibition.
What’s another name for Prohibition in the United States?
The “noble experiment”
List some of the reasons the USA’s wine industry flourish starting in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
- The modern era of the industry was ushered in thanks to luminaries like Robert Mondavi and André Tchelistcheff, who—along with many others—brought quality winemaking back to life in California.
- The “world class” caliberof their accomplishments was established by a famous blind tasting in 1976 that became known as the Judgment of Paris, in which two California contenders prevailed over classic French wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux in a blind tasting conducted by world-renowned experts.
Which federal agency regulates all beverage alcohol laws?
All federal beverage alcohol laws are regulated by the Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
- The TTB defines and approves the boundaries of American wine regions.
- The TTB demarcates appellations based on distinctive geographical, physical, and climatic features.
What are the labeling laws for variety in the United States?
- 75% min. varietal composition if from state or county
- 85% min. varietal composition if from AVA
- 90% min. in Oregon for most varieties
What are the labeling laws for vintage in the United States?
- 85% min. from stated vintage if from state or county
- 95% min. from stated vintage if from AVA
What are the labeling laws for AVA in the United States?
- 75% min. for country, state, county
- 85% min. for stated AVA
- 95% min. from stated single vineyard
What are the labeling laws for estate bottling in the United States?
- 100% of wine must come from grapes grown on land owned or controlled by winery which must be located in an AVA.
What is the climate in California?
- Cool on the coast, due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean.
- Warm to hot inland, based on distance from ocean’s influence.
- This is a common theme for almost all wine regions we will discuss in California.
Describe the topography of California and its polarizing impact on the region.
- Mountain ranges and rolling hills, either blocking cool Pacific air or, depending upon orientation, funneling it inland
What are the sub regions of California?
What are the primary grape varieties grown in California?
- White
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Red
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Zinfandel
Name the 4 sub-regions of California’s North Coast.
Where is the Napa Valley located?
- In the North Coast
- 30 mi stretch from San Pablo Bay (in south) to Mt. St. Helena (in north).
What is the climate in Napa?
- The dry Mediterranean climate and varies depending on altitude and the influence of cool air and fog rolling off the San Pablo Bay.
- This morning and evening cool air and fog creates large diurnal shifts in temperatures throughout the day.
- The AVAs in the southern portion of the Napa Valley are highly affected by cool air and fog. This lessens as you move north up the valley.
What is the soil type in Napa Valley?
- Napa Valley is home to several alluvial fans, which consists of layers of gravel, sand and silt that have descended from the western Mayacamas Mountains over millennia.
What are the primary grape varieties grown in Napa Valley?
- White
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Red
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
What is the Napa Valley Vinification Considerations?
- Wines of the Napa Valley are often marked by extensive use of new French and American oak barrels, lending notes of vanilla and toast to both red and white wines.
- Malolactic fermentation is often employed when making white wines, especially Chardonnay, imparting rich, buttery aromas and flavors.
- Sparkling wines are produced in the cooler southern areas of Napa, most notably in Carneros.
The mountainous portions in Napa Valley rise up to __________ feet in elevation.
2,000
Name 5 important AVA’s in Napa.
- Howell Mountain
- Stag’s Leap District
- Oakville
- Rutherford
- Carneros
What is unique about Oregon wine law? (3)
- Requires min. 90% of the grape variety stated on label 2. Exception is made for Cabernet Sauvignon which is standard 75% 3. If AVA is referenced, min. 95% must come from stated AVA rather than standard 85%
Name 4 important AVA’s in New York State.
- Finger Lakes 2. Hudson Valley 3. Long Island 3. Lake Erie
New York State - viticulture?
Important to protect vines from deep freezes in winter and mold in warm, humid summers
In Washington, there are dramatic diurnal differences of up to __________ degrees between day and night.
40
Where is Sonoma located?
- Western edge of the North Coast - From Pacific coast to Mayacamas
What event established the “world class” caliber of wines in California and when did it take place?
- The Judgment of Paris - 1976
Washington - grape varieties?
WHITE 1. Chardonnay 2. Riesling RED 1. Cabernet Sauvignon 2. Merlot 3. Syrah
Sonoma - viticulture?
- Hillsides - Differences in elevation - Diurnal Shifts
What is the most notable AVA in Mendocino County?
Anderson Valley
Where is Santa Barbara County located?
North of LA and the city of Santa Barbara
ƒName the three primary geographical features in Napa Valley.
- Mayacamas (west - separating from Sonoma) 2. Vacas (east) 3. Napa River (runs throughout)
What is the most notable region for sparkling wines in Napa?
Carneros
When was the modern era of the United States’ wine industry ushered in?
1960’s and 1970s
Name 5 important AVA’s of the Central Coast.
- Monterey 2. Paso Robles 3. Santa Maria Valley 4. Santa Ynez Valley 5. Santa Rita Hills
Where are the main wine regions situated in Oregon?
- South from Portland - Between the Coastal Range and Cascade Mountains
What is the primary climate moderator in Washington?
Rain shadow from Cascade Mountains
Monterey - climate moderators?
- Fog - Intense winds
Name two climate moderators in Sonoma.
- Pacific Ocean 2. Petaluma Gap
Which AVA’s are impacted by cool air and fog the most - northern or southern?
Southern
Sonoma - grape varieties?
WHITE 1. Chardonnay 2. Sauvignon Blanc RED 1. Pinot Noir 2. Cabernet Sauvignon 3. Merlot 4. Zinfandel 5. SYRAH
Washington - how do low temperatures at night impact the vines as they grow?
Low temps allow the vines to rest and help preserve acidity and freshness
Where are vineyards sites located in Napa Valley and how does it impact the wine?
- Slopes or Valley Foor - Brings differences in intensity of color, flavor, structure
Summarize the 1800’s in the wine industry in the United States.
- Series of setbacks 2. Phylloxera (1880s and 1890s) 3. Prohibition (1920-1933) 4. The Great Depression 5. World War II
Oregon - grape varieties?
WHITE 1. Pinot Gris 2. Chardonnay 3. Riesling RED 1. Pinot Noir (70% of plantings)
Where is Mendocino county located?
- North Coast - North of Sonoma County - On Pacific Ocean
Monterey - what characterizes its soil/geography?
Very fertile area
Name the 4 primary wine regions in California.
- North Coast 2. Sierra Foothills 3. Central Valley 4. Central Coast
What is the primary grape in Oregon and what percentage of plantings is it?
- Pinot Noir - 70%
How are AVA’s defined?
- “delimited grape growing areas” - refers to geographic location only
Sonoma - topography?
Hill and mountainous throughout
Santa Barbara - grape varieties?
WHITE 1. Chardonnay 2. Sauvignon Blanc RED 1. Pinot Noir 2. Rhone Varieties (Grenache, Syrah) 3. Bordeaux Varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
New York State - climate?
Continental
Name three important AVA’s in Santa Barbara.
- Santa Maria Valley 2. Santa Ynez Valley 3. Santa Rita Hills
Which cultures impacted the wine business during the Gold Rush in the United States?
- The Gold Rush attracted Italian and French immigrants to California
Where is Oregon located?
Pacific Northwest
What is an important viticultural consideration in Monterey?
Site selection to protect from harsh winds
What grape varieties are grown in Monterey?
WHITE 1. Chardonnay RED 1. Pinot Noir 2. Cabernet Sauvignon 3. Merlot 4. Zinfandel
Anderson Valley - climate?
Cool coastal
Oregon - climate?
Cool and maritime
Where is Paso Robles located?
- San Luis Obispo County - Between Monterey and Santa Barbara
What causes the diurnal shifts in Napa Valley and how do they impact the wine?
- Fog (rolls in morning and night) - Retains acidity and imparts freshness
Who were the key players that ushered in the modern era of the wine industry in the United States?
- Robert Mondavi - Andre Tchelistcheff
What is the most important AVA in Oregon?
Willamette
Where is New York State located?
Northeastern United States
What does AVA stand for?
American Viticultural Area
In the United States, what is the name of the governing body that regulates all federal beverage alcohol laws?
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Name three factors that influence the climate in Napa Valley.
- Altitude 2. Cool air/fog off San Pablo Bay 3. Diurnal Shifts
When were the first AVA’s named in the United States and when?
- 1980 - Augusta, Missouri 2. 1981 - Napa Valley, California
Oregon - soil?
Volcanic, alluvial, clay
Monterey - climate?
- Cool maritime near coast (fog and wind) - Warm to hot further south and inland
Are new French and American Oak barrels commonly used on white wine, red wines, or both in Napa Valley?
Both
What is the climate in Santa Barbara?
- Maritime - AND LIKE EVERY OTHER PLACE IN CALIFORNIA COOL< WET, WINDY ON COAST AND WARM/DRY INLAND - SHEESH!
The United States is the __________ largest producer of wine in the world.
4th
Roughly where and when did winemaking in the United States begin?
- East and West Coasts - 1500’s
Paso Robles - grape varieties?
WHITE 1. Chardonnay RED 1. Cabernet Sauvignon 2. Rhone Varieties (Grenache, Syrah) 3. Zinfandel
Where are the majority of vineyards located in Washington?
East of the Cascade Mountains
Monterey - primary characteristic of topography?
Gap in the mountains funnels cool air and strong winds directly inland
What is the climate like in Paso Robles and what is a primary moderator?
- Very Warm (hot days, cool nights) - Blocked from maritime by mountains BUT there is a gap that funnels in cool air
Name 6 AVA’s in Sonoma.
- Alexander Valley 2. Sonoma Valley 3. Carneros 4. Russian River Valley 5. Sonoma Coast 6. Dry Creek Valley
According to the TTB, what does the establishment of viticultural areas do for winemakers and consumers?
- Allows vintners to more accurately describe origin of their wine to consumers 2. Helps consumers identify wines they may purchase
New York State - grape varieties?
WHITE 1. Riesling 2. Gewurztraminer 3. Chardonnay RED 1. Pinot Noir 2. Merlot 3. Cabernet Franc HYBRID 1. Concord 2. Vidal
Monterey - where is it located?
- South of San Francisco (near the town or Monterey)
Washington - what characterizes the viticulture?
- Desert-like conditions offer dramatic diurnal shifts - Irrigation is essential
Santa Babara - topography?
Coastal range turns east/west rather than predominant north/south which funnels cool air in from the Pacific
Sonoma - climate?
- Cooler coast, warmer inland - Diurnal shifts from fog and cool air
What are the sources of water for irrigation in Washington?
- Columbia River - Yakima River - Snake River
Anderson Valley - grape varieties?
- Chardonnay 2. Pinot Noir
What style of wine is Anderson Valley well known for?
Traditional Method Sparkling
Oregon - topography?
Mountains and rolling hills
Mendocino - climate?
- Very dependent on proximity to Pacific - Cool coast, warm inland
When did the wine industry first begin to flourish and gain international recognition in the United States?
1850’s
Where does the United States rank in the world for total wine consumption?
1st
How long did a full-scale revival of the wine industry take after the onset of Prohibition?
Nearly 5 decades
Name three climate moderators in New York State.
- Lakes 2. Rivers 3. Atlantic Ocean
Name two aspects of wine regulated by the TTB.
- TTB defines and approves boundaries for wine regions 2. TTB demarcates appellations based on distinct geographical, physical, and climatic features
Washington - climate?
- Continental, high-desert - Hot summers, very cold winters, little precipitation
Name three important AVA’s in Washington.
- Columbia Valley - Yakima Valley - Walla Walla Valley
Sonoma - most common wine style?
Intense red wines, often aged in new oak barrels
List the coast and people associated with early winemaking in the United States in the 1600’s.
EAST - Colonists in Jamestown WEST - Franciscan Mission plantings along California coast
Where are vineyards planted in the Willamette Valley and how does it impact a wine?
- Higher elevation slopes, hillsides, and valley floor - Creates differences in intensity of color, flavor, structure
List the coast and people associated with early winemaking in the United States in the 1500’s.
EAST - French Huguenots in Florida WEST - Franciscan Mission plantings in present day Texas and New Mexico
Oregon - primary climate moderator?
Rain shadow from Coastal Range
