Quiz 07 - New World sparkling wines Flashcards
Describe the counties and regions where the highest-quality sparkling wines are produced in the USA.
- Anderson Valley (Mendocino county)
- the cooler parts of Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley (Sonoma county)
- Carneros (Sonoma and Napa counties)
- the Santa Cruz Mountains (Santa Cruz county)
- Edna valley and the western portion of Arroyo Grande (San Luis Obispo county)
- the coastal zones of Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara county).
For the AVAs below, briefly describe how the coastal influences (breeze, ocean etc.) have an impact on the grapes produced in each region:
- Anderson Valley
- Russian River Valley
- Carneros
- Edna Valley and the western portion of Arroyo Grande
- the coastal zones of Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills
- Anderson Valley = the north west part of the AVA is heavily influenced by the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Cool ocean breezes, coupled with fog, travel down the Navarro river valley, reducing temperature and sunshine hours during the growing season. There is a high diurnal range which helps maintain acidity necessary for grapes used in sparkling wine.
- Russian River Valley = the temperature is moderated by the break in the coastal ranges known as the Petaluma Gap and by the river itself. Fog and cool breezes are common during the growing season which helps maintain acidity in the grapes and slow down ripening.
- Carneros = is influenced by the proximity to the San Pablo Bay which cools and moderates the temperatures during the growing season. This ensures acidity is maintained in the grapes, ideal for sparkling wine.
- Edna Valley and the western portion of Arroyo Grande = situated in San Luis Obispo, this region is cooled by the cool ocean breezes.
- Coastal zones of Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills = although situated in Santa Barbara County, these zones are identified as cool. The Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys run east-west which creates channels to allow cool breezes and fog to move into the area. This moderates and cools the growing season temperatures, permitting the production of high quality grapes for sparkling wine.
Briefly describe why Washington State has the ideal climate for producing sparkling wines, making it the second largest regional producer in the USA after California.
Washington state is quite far north at approximately 47ºN latitude which results in long daylight hours during the growing season.
There is a large diurnal range which ensures acidity is maintained in the grapes until harvest and the fruit aromas are light.
These are desired qualities for grapes used in sparkling wine production.
Briefly describe the laws relating to the labelling term Blanc de Noirs in the USA
Unlike in Europe, there are no specific laws relating to this term in the USA.
Many producers choose to use mostly black grapes for these wines, but many blend in some white grapes too.
Pinot Noir is commonly used, but there are no restrictions on using purely black varieties.
True or false?
The term ‘Champagne’ is permitted to appear on all bottles of traditional method sparkling wine made in the USA.
False
The term ‘Champagne’ is only permitted to appear alongside the geographic location (e.g. California Champagne) if the brand was established pre-2006.
What is the name of the first company in Chile to start making sparkling wines?
Valdivieso
Describe sparkling wine production in Chile.
Most of the sparkling wines produced in Chile are inexpensive, and most wines are from acceptable to very good quality.
The majority of the wines are produced using the tank method, which accounts for 90% of production.
Harvest times are earlier than those for still wines, and tend to last from early February until the first week of March.
Which is the biggest export market in the world for Chilean sparkling wine?
Japan
Japan dominates over a third of the export market, followed by Columbia and Brazil. Two-thirds of total production is consumed by the domestic market.
Which Champagne house first pioneered sparkling wine in Argentina in 1959?
Moët & Chandon
What’s the most popular method of sparkling wine production in Argentina?
Tank method
Which regions are the largest producers of Argentinian sparkling wine?
- Mendoza - Of the 160 producers of sparkling wines, most are in Mendoza
- Rio Negro
- Neuquén
- San Juan
Describe the legislation passed in 2005 in Argentina that helped boost sparkling wine sales.
In 2005, the Argentine Government implemented an exemption for sparkling wine producers from paying the 12.5% sales tax on their produce. In return, sparkling wine producers had to commit to investing 25% over the amount of the tax savings. The aim was to boost this emerging wine sub-sector.
95% of Argentine sparkling wine is consumed on the domestic market, of that 80% is bought in the off-trade for home consumption. Extra-Brut is the most popular style at 70%.
What is the term often used for South African traditional method sparkling wine?
Méthode Cap Classique
Describe the laws pertaining to South African Méthode Cap Classique wines.
Méthode Cap Classique wines must undergo two fermentations, and the second one must happen in the same bottle that the wine goes to market in.
The wine must spend at least 9 months ageing on the lees during the second fermentation, but the Cap Classique Producers’ Association members have already stated they’ll age wines for a minimum of 12 months (the association was formed in 1992).
Post-disgorgement, a minimum of 3 bars of pressure must remain in the bottle.
Grapes remain on the vine for approximately 90 days after flowering to ensure they’re at the ideal ripeness.
They are then picked at a potential 9.5 - 11% alcohol, so the final wine will be 12% ABV.
Which three grape varieties are frequently used for South African carbonated sparkling wine?
- Muscat
- Pinotage
- Sauvignon Blanc
Briefly describe why Robertson is often considered as an area capable of producing premium South African MCC wines.
Robertson soils are predominantly limestone which is well suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for sparkling wine production, these are some of the preferred varietals for high quality MCC.
The region is a narrow valley that is protected from the heat in the morning created by the shade from the mountains.
In the afternoon cool breezes come from the ocean at Cape Agulhas which helps to maintain fresh fruit flavours in the grapes, slow down ripening and retain acidity.
The diurnal range is large which further enhances this region as a preferred option for growing high quality grapes used in sparkling wine.
True or false?
Acidification is banned in the production of Cap Classique.
False
Acidification is commonplace in the production of Cap Classique.
True or false?
Legally producers of MCC must pick their grapes by hand and then whole bunch press.
False
Better producers will pick their grapes in small baskets and then whole bunch press.
However, this is only recommended and is not a law.
True or false?
MCC wines must always undergo malolactic conversion.
False
There is no set rule on whether MCC wines have to go through malolactic conversion. It is up to the discretion of the producer.
Briefly detail the regulations the Cap Classique Producers’ Association intend to introduce, and how, in theory, they will improve the quality of MCC.
- They are proposing that all producers making MCC must get their grapes certified, i.e. the process of approval for Wine of Origin.
- Minimum time on lees to change from 9 months to 12 months from the 2020 vintage onwards.
- All producers of this category to become members of the Cap Classique Producers’ Association to ensure standards are maintained and the profile of the wines is raised.
- There is an additional proposal for 2 sub-categories to be created, including a standard category, based on the existing rules and a high-quality category.
- This higher quality category will require only Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage to be permitted, the grapes to be whole bunch pressed and wines to be kept on lees for a minimum of 36 months.
Briefly describe why Tasmanian growers have suggested delineating sub-zones in the state?
It has been suggested to split Tasmania into different zones due to the variation in the climate on the island. In the northern part of the Island, Tamar Valley is sheltered from the cooling influences of the Southern Ocean. Despite being located next to Piper’s River, grape harvest generally happens 2 weeks earlier.
The south of Tasmania is influenced by the Southern Ocean, as a result the region is notably cooler than the northern part of the island. However, the southerly latitude means the sun intensity is high and there are many sheltered valleys that are much warmer during the growing season compared to more exposed areas.
Due to these variations in the climate of Tasmania, high quality grapes can successfully grow with all the attributes preferred for traditional method sparkling wine. Grapes are often blended from the warmer areas like Coal Valley with the cooler regions exposed to the Southern Ocean influences to create balance between desired fruit ripeness and acidity.
True or false.
The grapes for Autralian red sparkling wines are picked at the same time as the grapes for still wines.
True
These wines require rich and intense flavour characteristics, so the grapes are left to ripen for longer than most sparkling wines.
True or false?
Most Australian red sparkling wines are primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon.
False
The most widely used grape variety for red sparkling wine in Australia is Shiraz.
True or false?
The grapes for Australian red sparkling wines are usually grown in cool climate regions like Tasmania, the Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills.
False
The grapes for Australian red sparkling wines are usually grown in warmer regions such as central Victoria, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. This encourages ripening for the intense flavours required.
