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.