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
What accounts for Zinfandel’s high alcohol, full body and (sometimes) residual sugar?
Uneven ripeness in the bunch (Millerandage)
2nd most planted varietal in Southern Oregon?
Pinot Gris
Rogue Valley AVA
-
Rogue Valley AVA
- Further south and includes Applegate Valley sub-AVA
- Close to the California border
- Climate
- Warmest and driest conditions of all Oregon’s growing regions
- Cooling influence comes from altitude – 250 to 950mRL!
- Altitude is provided by Klamath Mountains and Cascade Range
- Cool afternoon and evening breezes drawn in from the Pacific Ocean through the Rogue River valley
- Varietals
- Wide range of varietals grown
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir
What are the most and second-most planted varieties in California
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry River Valley AVA is famous for red wines from ? and describe them
- Zinfandel wines from old vine
- Med+ to full bodied
- Med+ acidity
- Ripe flavours blackberry, black plum and cherry
- Wines from west facing slopes or northerly have riper characters
- Maturation in oak is typical
- Good to outstanding quality – mid-priced to premium price
What is Washington’s largest AVA?
Columbia Valley
Santa Cruz mountains AVA - viti, wines and producers
-
Santa Cruz mountains AVA
- part of the Coast Range mountains
- includes three counties – Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo
- vineyards
- mainly at high altitudes – up to almost 800 metres
- planted along a ridge line
- altitude helps to moderate the temperatures
- cool air slips down the slopes at night – forcing warm air up and nights are relatively warm, and frost is prevented
- Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most planted
- Eastern side – warmer – better for Zinfandel, Cabernet S and Merlot
- Wines
- Good to outstanding in quality
- Mid-priced to super premium priced!
- Producers
- Ridge Vineyards
Mount Eden Vineyards
Most important hybrid in Canada is Vidal - describe it and wine made
- Most important hybrid is Vidal Blanc
- Bred from Ugni Blanc and Seyval Blanc
- Produces the majority of Icewine
- Can withstand Canada’s harsh winters
- Has high acidity (not as high as Riesling)
- Slow ripening and thick skins
- Particularly suitable for sweet late-harvest wines and Icewine
- Doesn’t have the aromatic complexity and ageing potential of the finest Riesling Icewines
- Wines:
- High acidity
- Stone and tropical fruit flavours such as peach and mango
What are the mountain ranges to the West and East of Napa Valley?
Mayacamas to the West.
Vaca mountains to the East
Opus One is a joint venture between which 2 wine-producing powerhouses?
Where is the winery located?
When was the inaugural vintage and what are the 2 bottlings produced?
Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton-Rothschild.
Oakville AVA, Napa Valley
Opus One: Inaugural vintage 1979.
Overture (multi-vintage second wine)
Despite being so far south, why is California’s Santa Barbara County well-suited for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production?
- Proximity to Pacific Ocean breezes, maritime influence. No obstacles to block cooling effects.
- Very long growing season (longest in California)
Eola-Amity Hills AVA - describe it
-
Eola-Amity Hills AVA
- is a ridge of north to south hills
- hills are rocky volcanic basalt over sedimentary soil
- east of the Van Duzer Corridor AVA
- affected by the same cool ocean winds that impact Van Duzer AVA which leads to slower ripening
- hillside vineyard sites – at 75-250mRL
- due to a range of aspects and altitudes within the AVA – a greater variation in how the vineyards are impacted by the winds
What is said to be the signature variety in California?
Zinfandel
What are 4 factors that help to cool the Napa Valley AVA?
- Morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay.
- Cool air from the Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas Mountains.
- Cool night-time temperatures
- High altitude in some AVAs.
Which two Napa AVAs typically produce the most concentrated, fullest-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons in the valley?
Why?
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA
They receive the warmest daytime temperatures.
Name 5 California AVAs where you could get premium quality Chardonnay
Los Carneros AVA
Russian River AVA
Sonoma Valley AVA
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
What is the most significant AVA of San Luis Obispo County?
What topological factor stand out about this AVA compared to others in California?
Paso Robles AVA
The mountains lie east-west rather than north-south, encouraging sea breezes on to the mainland.
Which 3 AVAs are shared between Oregon and Washington?
Walla Walla AVA / Columbia Valley AVA / Columbia Gorge AVA
Two regional appellations in Niagara Peninsula - when can you label a wine with these two regional appellations?
- 2 regional appellations within Niagara Peninsula
- Niagara Escarpment and Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Must contain 85% from that appellation and balance from somewhere else in the Niagara Peninsula
Name 3 AVAs on Napa Valley’s East-facing slope:
Mount Veeder AVA
Spring Mountain District AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Name 2 AVAs in Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria Valley AVA and Santa Ynez Valley AVA
The climate of Oregon?
- Has a marginal climate – more so than California or Washington state
- Most wine regions are situated in the western part of the state – just inland from Pacific Ocean
- Coast range provides some protection from Pacific influences
- Wines regions have a cool to moderate climate
- Latitude of 42-46 degrees north
- Influence of cold ocean currents and winds from the Pacific Ocean
- Long daylight hours in the summer and autumn aid grape ripening
- Most growing areas experience high levels of annual rainfall
- Most rainfall falls in winter – summer months are generally dry
- Willamette Valley – for example, 1000mm on average per year – only 200mm falls from April to September
Lake, Solano, and Marin Counties are within what AVA?
North Coast AVA
Red wines of Long Island - how are they matured?
- red wines
- are matured in oak – mostly French
- proportion of new oak is common to add vanilla and clove to the Bordeaux varieties, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
- wines can be single varietal or blends
Winter freeze is a serious challenge for viticulture in Canada - what is done about it?
- Winter Freeze:
- Where you have bitterly cold winters
- vines are buried in areas like Prince Edward County
- this is time consuming and labour intensive
- can add significantly to production costs
- in areas where the winters are not so bitterly cold they hill up soil around the vines to protect the graft unions
Which varieties are most grown in Anderson Valley AVA?
And for which variety is it reputed for?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plus aromatic varieties, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in Alsace styles
Reputed for good to outstanding quality Pinot Noir
The AVAs of Santa Barbara county are located where, and describe the climate and its factors
- AVAs located in Transverse Ranges
- A section of the Southern Coast ranges
- Due to plate tectonic shifts – run east-west
- Western side of ranges funnels in cooling breezes and fog eastward – lowering temperatures significantly
- Western side cooler and windier than eastern side
- Air circulation keeps the risk of fungal disease and frost low
- Long growing season into Autumn
What are the 5 dominant varieties grown in Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula?
Riesling / Cabernet Franc / Gamay / Pinot Noir / Chardonnay
Roughly how many AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) are there in California - 50, 80, 140?
140
Which grape is Stags Leap District AVA, Oakville AVA and Rutherford AVA most renowned for and which of the 3 is reputed to make the most concentrated?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford makes the most concentrated wines because it receives the least influence from San Pablo Bay and is the warmest during the day.
The viticultural practices, varietals of Yakima Valley?
-
Viticulture
- Chardonnay is most planted
- Then Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot, Syrah and Riesling
- Frosts and winter freeze can be hazardous on valley floor
- Plantings mainly on slopes
- warmer sites better for black grapes, cooler for white grapes
- Irrigation essential
North Fork AVA - what are its viticulture characteristics
-
North Fork
- Contains most of the vineyards – 65 wineries compared to just 5 in the Hamptons
- Has sandy soils
- Soils are free-draining and low in fertility
- Vines trained and trellised to VSP
Lower vigour than the Finger Lakes
The sale of alcohol in the USA is complex - state some of its key mechanics
- Regulatory control of distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages:
- controlled at a state level
- ceded control by the Federal govt. at the end of prohibition
- states adopted the ‘three tier system’ preventing direct to retail sales by producers
- there are drastically different rules over the fifty states!
- Increasing number of states allow direct to consumer sales – and transport across state lines to the consumer
Yamhill-Carlton district AVA - describe it
-
Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
- South facing bowl
- Contains a series of horseshoe-shaped eroded hills composed of ancient sedimentary soil
- 970Ha. planted
- Vast majority is Pinot Noir
- North west of Willamette Valley
- Foothills of the Coast Range – forms a rain shadow over the entire area
- The factors:
- South-facing slopes – 60-300mRL
- Warm free-draining sedimentary soils
- Sheltered nature
- Leads to wines with:
- Riper fruit flavours
- Fuller bodies
- Lower acidity levels
- Of many other AVAs
What Oregon winery was founded by David Lett?
What is David Lett’s nickname?
Which section of the Wilamette Valley is winery located in?
David Lett produced the first ____ in the USA.
The Eyrie Vineyards
“Papa Pinot”
Dundee Hills AVA
Pinot Gris
Which pair of California AVAs are most renowned for their old Vine Zinfandel?
Lodi AVA and Dry Creek Valley AVA
What is Loess soil?
Predominantly alluvial topsoil that is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown dust.
In which county will you find Anderson Valley AVA?
Mendocino County
If a varietal is stated on the label what the labelling requirements under Federal labelling law?
- Varietal claims
- must have 75% from that variety in the wine
- Appellation of origin must be stated with varietal
- If two or more varietals then percentages must be stated on label
Irrigation from the ____ is a major source of water to the vineyards of Washington.
Columbia River
Ribbon Ridge is both the ____ and the _____ AVA in Oregon.
Newest and Smallest
When was Prohibition in the United States?
1920-1933
Columbia Valley AVA’s climate?
- Climate
- Sheltered by the Cascade Mountain ranges
- Creates an arid desert-like area
- Only 150-250mm of rainfall!
- Continental with hot summers, and rapid cooling in autumn and cold winters
- Latitude of 46-48 degrees north so long daylight hours
- High diurnal range helps to retain acidity
The New York state labelling laws?
-
Wine labelling laws
- 75% must be made from the varietal on the label
- 85% of the grapes must be from the AVA stated on the label
- 95% of the grapes must be from the Vintage stated on the label
What minimum percentage of grapes in Oregon Pinot Gris must come from the AVA stated on the label?
95%
What is the main effect fog has on grapes in Napa Valley?
Where does the fog come from?
The fog helps valley floor sub regions cooler resulting in fresher fruit
The fog and afternoon breezes come from San Pablo bay (northern extension of San Francisco Bay)
Lodi is well known for a varietal, name and discuss it
- Well known for Zinfandel
- Some vines over 100 years old
- Sandy soils have helped to reduce prevalence of phylloxera
- Styles: medium to full-bodied, medium to medium+ acidity, ripe tannins, flavours of cherry, blueberry and blackberry
Hames Valley, Chalone, and Arroyo Seco are AVAs in which California county?
Monterey
What are 6 important AVAs of Sonoma County?
- Los Carneros (shared w/ Napa Valley)
- Sonoma Valley
- Sonoma Coast
- Russian River Valley
- Alexander Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
What % do the top ten wineries represent of domestic wine sales in the USA?
- The ten largest wineries represent more than 90% of the wine sold domestically by volume!
Which famous film director (e.g., The Godfather) now makes Inglenook’s ‘Rubicon’ wine in Napa Valley?
What sub-region does it come from?
What varietal is used?
Francis Ford Coppola
Rutherford AVA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Which grapes have been specifically bred for the climate of California’s Central Valley?
What are they crosses of and why are they used in winemaking?
Rubired (Tinto Cão X Alicante Ganzin): High yielding and intensifies color of wines.
Ruby Cabernet (Cabernet Sauvignon X Carignan): Primarily used in blending, heat-resistant and adds color and tartness.
What are “Olmo” grapes?
Crossings and hybrid grape varieties created by Dr. Harold Olmo at UC Davis in the 1930’s and 1940’s, specifically designed for the California wine industry.
Examples include: Rubired, Ruby Cabernet, Emerald Riesling.
McMinnville AVA - describe it
-
McMinnville AVA
- Located between Yamhill-Carlton AVA (north) and Van Duzer Corridor AVA (south)
- Influenced by both AVAs
- Some sites protected from Pacific Ocean influence by the Coast Range mountains
- Other sites have some ocean influence as per Van Duzer Corridor AVA
Which government agency oversees the creation of new AVAs?
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
What hybrid varietal is used in Finger Lakes for ice wines?
Vidal
If an appellation of origin is quoted on the label what are the minimum labelling requirements under Federal laws?
- Appellation of origin
- 75% of grapes must come from stated county, state, etc
- Must state percentage of each varietal in each state if appellation crosses state borders!
- 85% of grapes must be from vintage if vintage claim made
Napa Valley is best described as what type of climate?
Mediterranean
The climate of Southern Oregon is …………. than Willamette Valley
Warmer
Pinot Gris is the 2nd most planted varietal in Oregon - describe the wines and winemaking used
- Pinot Gris
- Made in dry and off-dry styles
- Current trend to drier styles
- Range of winemaking techniques
- Whole-bunch pressing and cool fermentation – create a fruity style
- Use of skin contact, old barrels, lees contact to increase complexity and texture
- Wines tend to be:
- Medium to full-bodied
- Medium to medium+ acidity
- Pear, peach and melon fruit with a nutty, honeyed note
- Good to very good quality
- Mid-priced
Name 4 US AVAs where you would expect quality Pinot Noir
Los Carneros AVA
Russian River Valley AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
Willamette Valley AVA
Which is the largest wine company in California?
E & J Gallo
Where will you find most plantings and wineries in Oregon?
Willamette Valley AVA
Heitz Cellars, Chateau Montelena, and Beaulieu Vineyards are based in which county?
Napa County
There are 242 AVAs in the USA, how many are in California?
- 60% or 140 of AVAs are in California
What winery first labeled Sauvignon Blanc as Fumé Blanc in the United States?
Robert Mondavi
Which of the 4 major AVAs produces the least amount of wine by volume?
Which 2 counties for its north and south borders?
South Coast AVA
Los Angeles County to the north, San Diego County to the south.
Name 5 AVAs that are above the fog line in Napa
How are these AVAs cooled?
Howell Mountain AVA
Atlas Peak AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Spring Mountain District AVA
Mount Veeder AVA
-They are cooled by altitude
Where in California could you find Aromatic whites e.g. Riesling and Gewurztraminer?
Which county is it located in?
Anderson Valley AVA
Mendocino County
What is the French hybrid variety allowed for Candian VQA Icewine?
Where is it mostly found and what types of wine does it typically make?
Vidal
Niagara Peninsula DVA, Ontario
When made into a dry white wine, it has little character, but commonly used for Icewine production.
Pinot Noir is the most important varietal in Oregon, describe the winemaking and the wines made
-
Pinot Noir
- Wide range of techniques employed
- Increasing amount of whole bunch used
- Plus some winemakers experimenting with:
- Ambient yeast
- Alternative fermentation and storage vessels – such as Amphorae
- Wines:
- Majority are matured in oak vessels
- Proportion of new oak has decreased
- Generally:
- Medium+ acidity
- Medium to medium+ tannins
- High alcohol
- Red cherry, raspberry to black cherry and plum
- Good to outstanding quality
- Premium priced to super premium
- Bergstrom and Evening Land are significant producers
What are the rules regarding imported wine/must being bottled in Canada?
-
Significant amt of wine bottled is from imported must or wine
- Termed “International Canadian blends”
- Can say “cellared in Canada”
- but label must state imported wines were used
Match these wineries to the AVA / state they are located in.
A. Dr. Konstantin Frank
B. Sine Qua Non
C. L’Ecole 41
D. Argyle
A. Finger Lakes AVA / New York
B. California (no official AVA)
C. Columbia Valley AVA (and Walla Walla) / Washington
D. Wilamette Valley AVA / Oregon
Most planted varietal of Columbia Valley AVA?
Followed by ?
and then?
and then?
Cabernet Sauvignon
followed by Merlot
then Chardonnay
then Riesling