United States Flashcards
United States Wine Laws Regulatory Body
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
- The TTB defines and approves the boundaries of American wine regions
- The TTB demarcates appellations based on distinctive geographical, physical, and climatic features
American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
- These are defined as “delimited grape-growing areas” which refers to geographic location only.
- The first AVAs were named in the 1980s, beginning with Augusta, Missouri (1980) and Napa Valley, California (1981)
US Wine Labeling Law - Variety
- 75% minimum varietal composition if from a country or state
- 85% minimum varietal composition if from an AVA
- 90% minimum in Oregon for most varieties
US Wine Labeling Law - Vintage
- 85% minimum from the vintage stated if from state or county
- 95% minimum from the vintage stated if from an AVA
US Wine Labeling Law - Appellation or AVA
- 75% minimum for country, state, or county
- 85% minimum from stated AVA
- 95% minimum from stated single vineyard
US Wine Labeling Law - Estate Bottling
-100% of the wine must come from grapes grown on land owned or controlled by the winery which must be located in an AVA
Napa Valley Geography
- The Napa Valley stretches from the San Pablo Bay 30 miles north to Mt. St. Helena. The Vaca Mountains seperate Napa from Sonoma to the west.
- The Napa River flows through the heart of the region.
Napa Valley Climate
The climate is maritime and varies depending on altitude and the influence of cool air and fog rolling off the San Pablo Bay. This morning and evening cool air and fog creates large diurnal shifts in temperatures throughout the day. The AVAs in the southern portion of the Napa Valley are highly affected by cool air and fog. This lessens as you move north up the valley.
Napa Valley Topography
The mountainous portions of Napa Valley vineyard land rises up to 2,000 feet in altitude.
Napa Valley Soil Type
Very diverse across the valley and up in the mountainous areas
Napa Valley Grape Varietals
White:
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Red:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
Napa Valley Viticulture
- Vineyards in the Napa Valley are planted on the high elevation slopes and hillsides or on the valley floor. These differing locaitons bring differences in intensity of color, flavor and structure in the resulting wines
- Morning and evening fogs rolling in off the bay create the large shifts in temperatures from day to night, helping retain needed acidity and imparting freshness to the wines
- The wide range of climates from south to north allows for different types and styles of wine, including cooler climate Pinot Noir and warmer climate Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
Napa Valley Vinification
- Wines of the Napa valley are often marked by extensive use of new French and American oak barrels, lending notes of vanilla and toast to both red and white wines
- Malolactic fermentation is often employed when making white wines, especially Chardonnay, imparting rich, buttery aromas and flavors
- Sparkling wines are produced in the cooler southern areas of Napa, most notably Carneros
Napa Valley Important AVAs
- Carneros AVA
- Stags Leap District AVA
- Oakville AVA
- Rutherford AVA
- Howell Mountain AVA
Sonoma County Geography
Western edge of the North Coast, extending eastward from the Pacific Ocean to the ridge line of the Maycamas Mountains bordering the Napa Valley
Sonoma County Climate
Cooler coastal areas, with warmer zones moving inland. Climate is extremely varied and depends on proximity to the Pacific Ocean, altitude, or the inland influence of fog and cool air from the ocean flowing through a gap in the mountains called hte Petaluma Gap. The fog and cool air create large diurnal shifts from night to day.
Sonoma County Topography
Hilly or mountainous throughout
Sonoma County Grape Varietals
White:
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Red:
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Zinfandel
- Syrah
Sonoma County Viticulture
- Hillsides
- Differences in elevation
- Diurnal shifts
Sonoma County Vinification
- Intense red wines, often aged in new oak barrels
- Sonoma is incredibly diverse in the types of wine made. Styles are highly dependent on climate and cooling factors.
Sonoma County Important AVAs
- Carneros AVA
- Sonoma Valley AVA
- Sonoma Coast AVA
- Alexander Valley AVA
- Russian River Valley AVA
- Dry Creeek Valley AVA
Mendocino County Geography
North of Sonoma County along the Pacific Ocean
Mendocino County Climate
Very dependent on proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Cool coastal areas and warm inland areas.
Mendocino County Important AVAs
Anderson Valley AVA
Anderson Valley AVA Climate
Cool coastal
Anderson Valley AVA Grape Varietals
White:
-Chardonnay
Red:
-Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley AVA Vinification
Well-known for traditional-method sparkling wines
Monterey AVA Geography
- South of San Francisco and San Jose, near the town of Monterey
- A very fertile area known for many types of agriculture
Monterey AVA Climate
- Cool maritime with fog and intense wind near the coast
- Very warm to hot further south and inland
Monterey AVA Topography
A gap in the mountains along the coast begin to run east-west instead of the typical north-south orientation, funneling cool air and strong winds directly inland
Monterey AVA Grape Varietals
White:
-Chardonnay
Red:
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Zinfandel
Monterey AVA Viticulture
-Vineyards site selection is important to protect from severe harsh winds funneled in from the Pacific
Paso Robles AVA Geography
San Luis Obispo County between Monterey and Santa Barbara
Paso Robles AVA Climate
- Generally, a very warm AVA with hot days and cool nights
- Paso Robles is blocked from the cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean by mountains to the west. However, a small gap in the mountains allows cool air to funnel in and reach a portion of the wine-growing area.
Paso Robles AVA Grape Varietals
White:
-Chardonnay
Red:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rhone Varietals:
- —Grenache
- —Syrah
- Zinfandel
Santa Barbara County Geography
North of Los Angeles and north of the city of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County Climate
Maritime, with a dramatic change in climate from the cool, wet and windy coast to the warm and dry areas inland
Santa Barbara County Topography
California’s Coastal Range turns and runs west to east, unlike the north-south orientation that predominates further up the coast. This creates a valley that funnels cool air and fog directly in from the Pacific Ocean.
Santa Barbara County Grape Varietals
White:
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Red:
- Pinot Noir
- Rhone Varietals:
- —Grenache
- —Syrah
- Bordeaux Varietals:
- —Cabernet Sauvignon
- —Merlot
Santa Barbara County Important AVAs
- Santa Maria Valley AVA
- Santa Ynez Valley AVA
- Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Oregon Geography
- Pacific Northwest
- Main wine regions are situated between the Coast Range and the Cascade Mountains, running south from Portland
Oregon Climate
Cool and maritime-influenced. The Coastal Range provides a rain shadow offering partial protection against storms headed eastward from the Pacific Ocean.
Oregon Topography
Rolling hills and mountains
Oregon Soil Type
Mix of volcanic, alluvial, and clay
Oregon Grape Varietals
White:
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
Red:
-Pinot Noir (70% of plantings)
Oregon Viticulture
Vineyards in the Williamette Valley are planted on the higher elevation slopes and hillsides or on the valley floor. These differing locations bring differences in intensity of color, flavor, and structure in the resulting wines.
Oregon Important AVAs
Williamette Valley AVA
-Many sub-AVAs
Oregon Regional Wine Law
- Oregon wine law is unique in that it requires a minimum of 90% of the grape variety stated on the label. An exception is made for Cabernet Sauvignon which is allowed the standard 75%
- Oregon also has stricter state laws for labeling by AVA:
- —A wine labeled by reference to an AVA within Oregon must contain a minimum 95% of grapes grown in that appellation, rather than the standard 85%
Washington Geography
Located in the Pacific Northwest with majority of vineyards located to the east of the Cascade Mountains
Washington Climate
The Cascade Mountains create a rain shadow protecting the entire eastern portion of the state from the rainy and cool weather from the Pacific Ocean. This protection creates a continental, high-desert climate with hot summers, very cold winters and little precipitation.
Washington Grape Varietals
White:
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
Red:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
Washington Viticulture
- The desert-like conditions offer a dramatic diurnal difference of up to 40 degrees between day and night. Low temperatures allow the vines to rest and help preserve acidity and freshness in the wine.
- Irrigation is essential. The Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers are the primary sources of water.
Washington Important AVAs
- Columbia Valley AVA
- Yakima Valley AVA
- Walla Walla Valley AVA
New York Geography
Northeastern United States
New York Climate
Continental, with moderating influences of lakes and rivers for inland areas and the Atlantic Ocean for coastal regions
New York Grape Varietals
White:
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
- Chardonnay
Red:
- Pinot Noir
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
Hybrid:
- Concord
- Vidal
New York Viticulture
It is important to protect vines from the deep freezes during the harsh winters and from mold in the warm, humid summer months
New York Important AVAs
- Finger Lakes AVA
- Hudson Valley AVA
- Long Island AVA
- Lake Erie AVA
