North America Flashcards
The Niagara Peninsula VQA is further divided into 2 main appellations. What are they?
Niagara Escarpment
Niagara-On-The-Lake
Paso Robles AVA is generally divided into 2 sections.
What are they and what are the differences of
Climate
Soil Type
Varieties Planted
It has two distinct zones;
- Cooler to the west, tempered by marine air funneled through the Templeton Gap. Warmer and more arid east of the Salinas River.
- To the west, calcareous soils are higher in limestone. To the east, sandier and more fertile.
- The west is famous for Zinfandel and Rhone varieties.
- The east produces fruity wines for high-volume brands.
What percentage of USA wine produced by volume is Californian - 60%, 80%, 90%?
80%
California produces 80% of USA wine - how many litres sold, how much of total USA exports is it, how many grape growers and wineries?
- California is the largest producer
- Sales of 25 million hL
- 3.9 million hL exported – 90% of USA exports
- 5900 grape growers
- 4800 bonded wineries
What is the climate throughout Canada’s wine regions?
What helps moderate the high temperatures of July and August?
Continental
Proximity to large lakes help moderate the temperature extremes
The Cascade Mountains have an important rain-shadow effect on grape growing in:
Washington State.
Name the 3 AVAs on the West-facing side of Napa Valley:
Atlas Peak AVA
Chiles Valley District AVA
Howell Moutain AVA
What is the allowed range of alcohol for US Table Wine?
7-14% abv
What is the name of Screaming Eagle’s second label?
Jonata
The Santa Ynez Valley AVA encompasses which 4 smaller AVAs within its borders?
Sta. Rita Hills - most westerly, famous Pinot Noir
Ballard canyon - small - warmer - Syrah/Grenache
Los Olivos - alluvial terraces, low diurnal range, Red varietals
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara - high altitude sites, high diurnal range - Cab Sav and Sauvignon Blanc
describe the Central Valley and the two valleys within it.
Central Valley
- Very large growing area which entirely inland
- Consists of two valleys – Sacramento valley and San Joaquin valley
- Sacramento – northern part and 6,700 Ha.
- San Joaquin valley – southern part and 61,000 Ha.
- between coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada range
Approximately about how many wineries are there in California?
3,700
What are AVAs?
- AVAs are designated grape growing regions – with unique geological and geographical features
Ribbon Ridge AVA - describe it
-
Ribbon Ridge AVA
- By far the smallest AVA in Willamette Valley
- Island like ridge that rises 200m from the Chehalem Valley
- Located in the west of Chehalem Valley AVA
- Vineyards:
- Low in nutrient
- Protected from the wind by surrounding ranges
- Consistently warm growing season
- Sedimentary soil is relatively deep but low in nutrients
- Soils have moderate water holding capacity
- All of the above factors lead to concentrated ripe grapes
What is the signature varietal of Long Island AVA?
Merlot
Climate of Long Island AVA?
What is unexpected about this climate?
-
Climate
- the AVA is surrounded by water
- Atlantic Ocean
- Peconic Bay – the estuary between the two forks
- Long Island Sound – between the island the Connecticut coast
- The climate is maritime with a long growing season
- The water bodies keep the temperatures higher due to their slow release of heat from the summer – lengthens the growing season
- Unexpectedly able to ripen black grapes as a consequence
- Northern Fork
- is slightly warmer and more protected from Atlantic Ocean’s weather
- the AVA is surrounded by water
Is Central Valley an AVA?
- No. San Joaquin valley or Sacramento valley are NOT AVAs nor is Central Valley
What is the primary cooling influence in Stags Leap and Oakville AVAs?
Fog
Phylloxera has never been a problem in California.
True or False?
False
Name 3 Willamette Valley wineries, and which AVAs they specialize in:
Evesham Wood (Eola-Amity Hills AVA)
St. Innocent (fruit sourced from various AVAs, Eola-Amity Hills, Yamhill-Carlton)
Domaine Serene (Dundee Hills AVA)
List the following wines in order of current release price (1 = lowest, 4 = highest).
A. Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
B. Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc
C. Kongsgaard “The Judge” Chardonnay
D. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
- Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
- Kongsgaard “The Judge” Chardonnay
- Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc
What is Finger Lakes renowned for producing?
Riesling
Also Pinot Noir and Niagara.
84% of British Columbia’s vineyards are planted in what appellation?
Okanagan Valley
Long Island AVA has two sub AVAs?
North Fork and Hamptons
