North America Flashcards
The United States of America is the world’s _____ largest producer of wine and claims the world’s _____ highest acreage of land under vine.
4th largest producer
6th highest acreage of land
Who was the first American settler to step foot in Napa Valley? He also planted its first vineyard.
George Yount
Which winery survived Prohibition by declaring itself the “House of Altar Wine”?
Beaulieu Vineyards
Who was dubbed the “dean of American winemakers,” having mentored many of California’s young talents?
André Tchelistcheff
Percentage of Grapes Required for Labeling by Appellation:
If labeled by country, state, or county: ?
If labeled by AVA: ?
If labeled with a single vineyard: ?
If labeled by country, state, or county: 75%
If labeled by AVA: 85%
If labeled with a single vineyard: 95%
Wines labeled as California or Oregon are required to be made from what % of grapes grown in the state?
100%
Wines labeled as Washington are required to be made from what % of grapes grown in the state?
95%
American wines have an ABV leniency of ___%
1.5%
In order for an American wine to legally qualify for the term “Estate Bottled,” ___% of a wine must come from grapes grown on land owned or controlled by the winery.
100%
What does “meritage” mean?
It indicates a Bordeaux grape blend (red or white) in which no grape accounts for more than 90% of the wine
How many sub-AVAs are in Napa Valley?
16
Temperatures are generally _____ as one travels north through Napa valley.
Warmer
What is the soil like in Napa Valley?
The valley has a remarkable diversity of:
volcanic
alluvial
maritime soil types
What is mountain fruit in Napa known for?
Its density, dark fruit, and concentration, and its ability to retain a good acid structure through intense ripeness.
What is valley fruit in Napa known for?
Producing more elegant and supple style of Cabernet, with less intensity of color.
What are the 5 mountain/hillside AVA’s of Napa?
From North to South in the West:
Diamond Mountain
Spring Mountain
Mount Veeder
From North to South in the East:
Howell Mountain
Atlas Peak
Where are the highest vineyards in Napa?
Atlas Peak
Where is Pritchard Hill?
Just north of Atlas Peak
What is the warmest AVA in Sonoma County?
Knights Valley
Generally speaking, how do Alexander Valley cabernets compare to those of Napa Valley?
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon tends to show a more herbaceous character and less body than its Napa counterparts.
What is California’s most planted grape variety?
Chardonnay
Who is Charles Valentine Riley and what major contribution did he provide to the world of wine?
Missouri enologist who is credited as the first to understand the innate resistance of American grape species/rootstock to Phylloxera
Where is Tablas Creek winery? Who owns it? What kind of wines are produced there?
Paso Robles AVA
Owned by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel
Wines from a wide range of Rhône varietals
Where is the Anderson Valley AVA and what is the climate like there?
It is in the North Coast of California, in the Southern portion of Mendocino County AVA.
The climate there is one of California’s coolest.
Name the four French Champagne houses that produce California sparkling wines, along with their corresponding house and its location.
Louis Roederer - Roederer Estate (North Coast, Mendocino County, Anderson Valley)
Moet et Chandon - Domaine Chandon (North Coast, Napa Valley, Yountville)
G. H. Mumm - Mumm Napa (North Coast, Napa Valley, Los Carneros)
Taittinger - Domaine Carneros (North Coast, Napa Valley, Los Carneros)
Which ‘County’ is California’s most northerly wine growing outpost?
Mendocino County
Which grows more grapes, Napa or Sonoma?
Sonoma, by far.
Name the 6 counties of the North Coast AVA
Napa Sonoma Mendocino Lake Solano Marin
California’s Central Coast is centered between _____ in the North and _____ in the South.
San Francisco
Santa Barbara
Name the 6 main regions of California’s Central Coast from North to South.
San Francisco Bay Monterey San Benito Paso Robles San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara
Where is the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA?
Name one famous vineyard located there.
In California’s Central Coast, just south of the city of San Francisco.
It is home to Ridge’s Monte Bello vineyard.
Where is the Livermore Valley?
What grape is it known for?
From what famous winery are their first cuttings taken?
It is in the Northern part of California’s Central Coast, within the San Francisco Bay AVA, east of the city of San Francisco.
It is known for Sauvignon Blanc, the first vines being grown from cuttings taken at Château d’Yquem.
In which county is Paso Robles?
San Luis Obispo
Where is the Sta. Rita Hills AVA?
Why is it abbreviated?
It is located in the Southern portion of California’s Central Coast, in Santa Barbara county.
It is abbreviated as a result of a legal dispute with a Chilean winery of the same name.
Where is the bulk of California wine produced?
The Central Valley
Where is Arroyo Seco AVA?
It is known for wines from what grapes?
Styles?
It is in California’s Central Coast, in Monterey County.
Gewurztraminer and Riesling, made in dry and off-dry styles.