Quiz 07 - New World sparkling wines

Question 1

Describe the counties and regions where the highest-quality sparkling wines are produced in the USA.

Answer 1

• 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).

Question 2

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

Answer 2

• 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.

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Briefly describe the laws relating to the labelling term Blanc de Noirs in the USA

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

True or false?

The term ‘Champagne’ is permitted to appear on all bottles of traditional method sparkling wine made in the USA.

Answer 5

False

The term ‘Champagne’ is only permitted to appear alongside the geographic location (e.g. California Champagne) if the brand was established pre-2006.

Question 6

What is the name of the first company in Chile to start making sparkling wines?

Answer 6

Valdivieso

Question 7

Describe sparkling wine production in Chile.

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Which is the biggest export market in the world for Chilean sparkling wine?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Which Champagne house first pioneered sparkling wine in Argentina in 1959?

Answer 9

Moët & Chandon

Question 10

What’s the most popular method of sparkling wine production in Argentina?

Answer 10

Tank method

Question 11

Which regions are the largest producers of Argentinian sparkling wine?

Answer 11

• Mendoza - Of the 160 producers of sparkling wines, most are in Mendoza
• Rio Negro
• Neuquén
• San Juan

Question 12

Describe the legislation passed in 2005 in Argentina that helped boost sparkling wine sales.

Answer 12

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%.

Question 13

What is the term often used for South African traditional method sparkling wine?

Answer 13

Méthode Cap Classique

Question 14

Describe the laws pertaining to South African Méthode Cap Classique wines.

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Which three grape varieties are frequently used for South African carbonated sparkling wine?

Answer 15

• Muscat
• Pinotage
• Sauvignon Blanc

Question 16

Briefly describe why Robertson is often considered as an area capable of producing premium South African MCC wines.

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

True or false?

Acidification is banned in the production of Cap Classique.

Answer 17

False

Acidification is commonplace in the production of Cap Classique.

Question 18

True or false?

Legally producers of MCC must pick their grapes by hand and then whole bunch press.

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

True or false?

MCC wines must always undergo malolactic conversion.

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Briefly detail the regulations the Cap Classique Producers’ Association intend to introduce, and how, in theory, they will improve the quality of MCC.

Answer 20

• 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.

Question 21

Briefly describe why Tasmanian growers have suggested delineating sub-zones in the state?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

True or false.

The grapes for Autralian red sparkling wines are picked at the same time as the grapes for still wines.

Answer 22

True

These wines require rich and intense flavour characteristics, so the grapes are left to ripen for longer than most sparkling wines.

Question 23

True or false?

Most Australian red sparkling wines are primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

Answer 23

False

The most widely used grape variety for red sparkling wine in Australia is Shiraz.

Question 24

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.

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Which Australian sparkling wine style is described below?

Medium (+) acidity, medium alcohol, off-dry to medium-dry, light to medium body with delicate white peach flavours.

Answer 25

Australian Prosecco

Question 26

Which Australian sparkling wine style is described below?

Medium (+) to high acidity and medium alcohol. Body and flavour intensity can vary from medium (-) to full depending on the style.

Answer 26

Traditional method sparkling wine

Question 27

Which Australian sparkling wine style is described below?

Low in alcohol, medium acidity, off-dry to sweet with grapey flavours.

Answer 27

Moscato

Question 28

Which Australian sparkling wine style is described below?

Medium to medium (+) acidity, dry to medium-sweet, low to medium alcohol and light to medium body. Fruity and rarely with any autolytic characteristics.

Answer 28

Tank method/Carbonation

Question 29

Which Australian sparkling wine style is described below?

Medium (-) to medium acidity, medium to high alcohol, medium- to full-bodied with medium to pronounced intensity. Presence of soft, medium tannins.

Answer 29

Sparkling Shiraz

Question 30

Where is the main area for Australian Prosecco production?

Answer 30

King Valley

Question 31

Describe why/how Australia is still using Prosecco on the labels of its wines, despite Italy’s objections that it’s an Italian PDO.

Answer 31

The variety was planted in Australia (approximately 20 years ago) before Italy made the decision to change the use of the name from a grape variety to the name of a PDO in 2009.

The argument being that Prosecco is a grape variety, it was Italy’s decision and for their own interests to make this change.

They did not consult global growers of Prosecco about this prior to the change in Italian and EU wine law.

Australia continue to use the term Prosecco on labels as the dispute is being legally challenged.

Question 32

What is the name of the wine region that produces the majority of grapes for New Zealand Sparkling wine?

Answer 32

Marlborough

The South Island is ideally suited to the production of sparkling wine in New Zealand, and although Marlborough is the main region, some producers in Central Otago are making admirable efforts.

Question 33

Despite the climate in Marlborough, describe why the vineyards there must be irrigated.

Answer 33

The dominant soils in Marlborough are alluvial which are free draining and do not retain moisture making it less available to the vine.

Combined with the impact from the prevailing north-west winds increasing the rate of transpiration, irrigation is required to provide enough water to the vines at key stages during the growing season.

Question 34

Detail the winemaking options a quality-conscious producer of New Zealand traditional method sparkling wine may use to produce a quality product.

Answer 34

• Hand-picked and whole bunch pressed
• Use a cultured yeast to ensure a predictable and successful fermentation to dryness
• First fermentation in stainless steel to protect fresh, fruity flavours
• To retain high acidity, malolactic conversion is generally avoided
• Extended ageing on lees but a minimum of 18 months is expected
• Sometimes, blended in reserve wines in NV bottlings to add complexity and consistency