United States Flashcards
1
Q
What did early Norse settlers call America? Why?
A
Vinland, due to the proliferation of vines.
2
Q
Immigrants from which countries planted vineyards on the eastern seaboard of the US? How successful were they?
A
Britain, Holland and France. Mostly unsuccessful.
3
Q
When was the first successful wine industry started in the US? Where was this done?
A
Early 19th Century. Ohio.
4
Q
Who started the first successful wine industry in the US? How did they do this?
A
German immigrants. Using native vines.
5
Q
How many of the states of the US have vines planted in them?
A
All 50.
6
Q
What are most vineyards in the US planted with?
A
European vines grafted onto American rootstock. There are some local vines and hybrids planted, though.
7
Q
What are the main viticultural areas of the US?
A
California, Pacific Northwest, New York State.
8
Q
When and by whom were vines first planted in California?
A
1769, by Spanish missionaries in San Diego.
9
Q
When was the first commercial wine produced in the US?
A
1824.
10
Q
What led to an expansion of vineyard in the Sierra foothills?
A
The 1849 gold rush.
11
Q
How many European grape varieties did Agostin Haraszthy introduce to the US between 1851 and 1861?
A
Over 300.
12
Q
How did Agostin Haraszthy’s introduction of European vines influence the US wine industry?
A
It began the Californian industry.
13
Q
In the 1920’s the US prohibition caused a decline in wine production. Where did the excess grapes go?
A
They were sold for home use.
14
Q
In the US, where was winemaking concentrated between 1933-mid 1960’s? What was being made?
A
Central Valley and San Joaquin Valley. Liqueur and jug wines?
15
Q
How much has vineyard area increased in the US since the 1960’s?
A
It has tripled.
16
Q
What is the state of the US wine industry with regards to winery size and numbers?
A
There are many boutique wineries with high quality bordeaux blends, and a small number of very large wineries.
17
Q
What is the state of the US wine industry with regards to wine prices?
A
There is a very large price range, from ‘2 buck chuck’ to above $150.
18
Q
What has been the recent move regarding quality in US winemaking?
A
A recent increase in quality.
19
Q
How do small wineries and large wineries differ in their approach in the US?
A
Small wineries focus on producing within their own AVA, larger wineries more likely to blend across larger areas.
20
Q
How many levels of laws are their in the US that affect the wine industry? What are they?
A
2, Federal Law and State Law.
21
Q
When were AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas) set up? Are they now set in stone?
A
- No, they’re still evolving.
22
Q
What do AVA’s guarantee?
A
The source of the wine grapes, but not quality or production methods.
23
Q
Who can petition to create a new AVA? What are the size requirements?
A
Anyone. There is no size requirements, some AVA’s only cover a single winery.
24
Q
What percentage of the wine grapes used must come from the AVA stated?
A
85%.
25
State law varies...?
From state to state. Obviously.
26
How do Oregon state laws differ from the Federal Law?
In Oregon, wine must contain 95% of the variety written on the label, and 100% of the fruit must be sourced from the stated AVA.
27
How do Washington State laws differ from the Federal Law?
Washington requires that 85% of the fruit must be the stated variety, AVA and vintage.
28
How does Californian and all other state (except Washington and Oregon) law differ from Federal law?
They require that 75% of the fruit must be the stated variety, vintage and AVA.
29
What is the key legal difference between the requirements of New York State wine law and the requirements of the rest of the US?
In New York State, winemakers can add up to 35% sugar and water, for climatic reasons.
30
What is happening with generic names like Burgundy and Chablis on labels?
These are being phased out, but some historic brands have been permitted to continue using them.
31
How long is California? How much of this is planted with vineyards? How does this affect climate?
1100km from North to South. Vineyards run the entire length. Length leads to large range of climates.
32
Why is irrigation used in California?
To counter lack of rain during the growing season.
33
How has UC Davis classified the growing areas of California?
Using a zonal classification based on degree days.
34
How does the Humboldt Current affect the climate of Californian wine regions?
Provides cooling mists and fog, which cause temperature contrast and humidity.
35
How are vineyard plantings in California affected in areas where their is little influence from the Humboldt Current?
They are generally planted at altitude to mitigate temperatures.
36
What are the main regions of California?
North Coast, North Central Coast, South Central Coast, Central Valley, Sierra Foothills, Southern California.
37
Where is the North Coast region of California?
North of San Francisco Bay.
38
What is the climate of California's North Coast like?
Wide range of climates, from warm Mediterranean through to cool, where spring frosts are a problem.
39
What are the major AVA's of the North Coast region?
Napa Valley, Carneros
Sonoma County: Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley
Mendocino County: Anderson Valley.
40
Describe the Napa Valley AVA.
Expensive vineyard land and prestigious wineries.
41
What is the climate of the Napa Valley AVA?
Morning mists roll in from the bay, cooling the climate.
42
Where is Carneros AVA?
It runs along the bottom of the Napa and Sonoma AVA's.
43
What would you expect to find from the Carneros AVA?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, especially sparkling.
44
What are the 2 major AVA's of Sonoma County? What is each best known for?
Russian River Valley - Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley - Zinfandel.
45
What is the climate of Anderson Valley AVA in Mendocino County like?
Cool climate.
46
What would you expect to find from the Anderson Valley AVA?
Pinot Noir and aromatic whites, like Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
47
What are the 2 major AVA's for the Californian North Central Coast region?
Monterey County, Santa Cruz Mountains.
48
What is the climate like in Monterey County AVA?
Cool, dry climate.
49
What would you expect to find from the Monterey County AVA?
Crisp, citrus based Chardonnay and rich, dark Merlot with firm tannins.
50
Which parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA are particularly significant?
The areas falling into the UC Davis classification Zone 1, which are cooler with poorer soils. These areas produce some of California's greatest wines.
51
What are 2 well known areas of the South Central Coast region of California? What are they known for?
Santa Ynez Valley and Paso Robles. Zinfandel.
52
What is unique about the mountain ranges of California's South Central Coast?
They lie east/west, rather than north/south. This aids the flow of the cooling ocean breezes.
53
How much of California's total production comes from the Central Valley?
80%.
54
Which of the UC Davis degree day classification zones does the Central Valley of California fit into?
Zones 4 and 5, which are hot.
55
What is the focus of production in California's Central Valley?
Quantity.
56
Which AVA in Central Valley is notable for producing better wines? Why?
Lodi AVA, because of the cooler climate.
57
How have UC Davis attempted to combat the hot climate of California's Central Valley?
By experimenting with creating heat resistant varieties, such as Ruby Cabernet and Rubired.
58
How is the excess production of California's Central Valley used?
By creating wine coolers and brandies.
59
What are the Sierra Foothills the foothills of?
The Rocky Mountains.
60
What is the climate of the Sierra Foothills in California like?
More continental, hot days and cool nights.
61
What would you expect to find from Sierra Foothills?
Old vine zinfandel, Italian varieties like Sangiovese.
62
Where is the Southern California region?
It consists of vineyards around Los Angeles and San Diego.
63
How is the increasing wine market in America affecting the Californian wine industry?
They are struggling with demand.
64
What are disease issues facing the Californian wine industry in recent history?
Phylloxera, as poor research at UC Davis led to planting on ARX1 rootstock, which was not resistant, half of Napa's vineyards needed to be replanted. Pierce's Disease also a problem, spread by the Glassy Winged Sharpshooter, is incurable and fatal. Pierce's Disease is primarily a problem in Southern California.
65
What is the climate of Oregon like?
Maritime climate, influenced by the Pacific Ocean and warm North Pacific Drift.
66
What are the major AVA's of Oregon?
Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley.
67
Where is Willamette Valley AVA?
Oregon, south of Portland.
68
What is the climate like in Willamette Valley?
Mild winters and warm summers.
69
What styles of wine are produced in the Willamette Valley?
Burgundian style Pinot Noirs, as well as Pinot Gris and Chardonnay.
70
What factor is leading to the constant improvement of wines from the Willamette Valley AVA?
Careful clonal selection.
71
Where are the Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley AVA's?
South of Willamette Valley.
72
What would you expect to find from the Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley AVA's? Why?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, due to the warmer climate vs Willamette Valley.
73
What size wineries would you find in the Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley AVA's?
Mostly boutique wineries.
74
Which State is the second largest by wine production (vinifera varieties) in the US?
Washington State.
75
What varieties is Washington State mostly planted with?
Bordeaux varieties, especially Merlot. Also, Chardonnay and Syrah.
76
What are the major AVA's of Washington State?
Columbia Valley AVA, which includes Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA.
77
What is the climate like in the Columbia Valley AVA (and therefore Yakima and Walla Walla AVA's)?
Extreme continental, with dry, almost desert like conditions.
78
What do the desert-like conditions of the Columbia Valley AVA mean?
Irrigation with river water is essential.
79
Aside from drought, what is another major threat to vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA?
Severe winter frost.
80
What types of wineries would you expect to find in the Columbia Valley AVA?
One major winery group, small independent growers.
81
What is the third most important state for grape growing (including wine, table grapes, jam, etc.)?
New York State.
82
Which Act increased the vinifera plantings of New York State?
The Farm Wineries act of 1976.
83
What are the 3 main vineyard areas of New York State?
Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and Long Island.
84
How do the lakes and ocean affect growing conditions for New York State?
They provide a warm, moderating effect on the climate.
85
Which area of New York State has an annual frost risk?
The Finger Lakes.
86
Cheap US blended wines are made with large yields from what grapes?
Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Thompson Seedless, Carignan, Ruby Cabernet and Barbera.
87
How are the varied grapes of the Central Valley of California grown in such hot conditions?
Heavily using irrigation.
88
Which region of California produces cheap, blended wines?
Central Valley.
89
What are the most significant quality grapes used in the US?
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhône Varieties.
90
What is Zinfandel also known as?
Primitivo (Southern Italy, esp. Puglia) and Tribidrag (Croatia).
91
Which US state claims Zinfandel as it's own?
California.
92
What is Zinfandel used for in California?
Blends, varietal wines and rosé.
93
For what purpose is Zinfandel blended with other varieties in California?
To produce bulk wines.
94
What style of wine would you expect from old vine Californian Zinfandel?
Full bodied, rich wines.
95
What are the results of the uneven ripening of Zinfandel in California?
Some raisining at full ripeness.
96
Describe the typical Californian Zinfandel.
Red berry flavours, concentrated, high alcohol levels and some level of residual sugar. Some under-ripe and over-ripe characters owing to uneven ripening.
97
Where in the US is soft, juicy black cherry, light tannin Cabernet Sauvignon made?
California's Central Valley.
98
The famous vineyards of which region of California rival Bordeaux with their Cabernets?
Napa.
99
Aside from Napa, where else in the US would you find very high quality examples of Cabernet Sauvignon?
Washington State.
100
How is Cabernet Sauvignon handled in Napa?
The fruit is left until complete phenolic ripeness, making an expressive wine with powerful toasty flavours from American oak.
101
What can sometimes have a negative effect on Napa Cabernet Sauvignons?
Balance can be thrown off with high alcohols.
102
Where is quality Merlot found in the US?
Monterey County (North Central Coast) and Napa. Washington State also very important with high quality potential.
103
Describe a high quality Merlot from the US.
Blackberry and plum flavours, velvety tannins, high alcohol.
104
Aside from in high quality regions, what styles is Merlot made in in the US?
Cheaper styles with soft tannins and little character.
105
Early examples of US Pinot Noir had little character because...?
They were planted in hotter sites, and this led to 'baked' wines.
106
High quality Pinot Noir is produced in which cooler AVA's?
Russian River, Carneros, Santa Barbera, Willamette Valley.
107
What styles of Pinot Noir are produced in the US?
A range from elegant, structured, gamey styles through to rich, full red fruit styles.
108
Describe the typical US Chardonnay.
Full bodied, high alcohol, obvious oak, hazelnut and butter characters with exotic fruit flavours.
109
Aside from the typical US Chardonnay, what other styles of this grape can be found from the US?
A more restrained style can be found in the cooler regions.
110
In what style is Sauvignon Blanc produced in the US?
The Bordeaux style, with partial to full fermentation and ageing in oak.
111
What other name is Sauvignon Blanc sometimes sold under in the US? What does this usually indicate?
Fumé Blanc. Ageing in oak.
112
What would you expect from a cheap US Sauvignon Blanc?
Very little varietal fruit.
113
Why has there been a recent increase in plantings of Rhône varieties (Syrah, Viognier and Marsanne esp.)?
To answer the current fashion and market led trend to drink Rhône style wines.
