United States Flashcards
Is the vintage date required on wine labels in the United States?
No, the vintage date is not required on wine labels in the United States.
What is Fumé Blanc an approved synonym for in the United States?
Fumé Blanc is an approved synonym for Sauvignon Blanc in the US.
Who was Nicholas Longworth?
Nicholas Longworth was the founder of one of the first commercial wineries in the United States, and produced some of the first sparkling wines using grapes from the Ohio River Valley.
How many AVAs are there in the United States?
267, in 30 states.
What is a “semi-generic” name?
A European wine region whose name has been used outside of those regions for so long that they have lost specific reference. This includes Chablis, Burgundy, Chianti, Champagne, and Port (but not Porto).
When can a semi-generic name be used on an American wine?
If the label was approved before March 2006, and contains a US geographic term before it, like California Champagne or American Chablis.
When may the term “table wine” be used on a label in place of an exact alcohol percentage?
If the wine has an ABV less than 14%
What is the allowed variance for alcohol content on American wine labels?
Plus or minus 1.5%
For a wine to be labeled “American Wine” what percentage of the wine must be from the stated country?
75%
What are the rules regarding vintage date on US wine labels?
The vintage date is optional, however, if a wine labeled AVA has a vintage date, 95% of the wine in the bottle must be from the date. For all other wines, it is just 85%.
In the US, if a single grape variety is on the label, what is the minimum amount of that grape required to be in the wine?
75%, except:
If the grape is a native North American grape, it only needs to be 52%
Oregon has more stringent rules.
In the US, how can a grape variety be labeled if it comprises less than 75% of the wine?
The grape variety and be labeled if all of the varieties (along with corresponding percentages) are included on the label as well.
What is a Meritage?
A recognizable name for blended wines similar in style to Bordeaux, and the term can only be used by members of the association. It must be the winery’s most expensive wine of its style and production is limited.
What are the grape requirements for Red Meritage?
Has to contain at least two of the traditional red Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Gros Verdot, St. Macaire, and Carmenere) and no one grape may make up more than 90% of the blend.
What are the requirements for White Meritage?
It must contain at least two varieties of white Bordeaux (Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle), and no more than 90% of any single variety.
