United States and North America Flashcards
(28 cards)
How much of US wine production comes out of California?
Roughly 90%
In order, what are the top 4 wine producing states in the US?
California, New York, Washington, Oregon - New Jersey is #5
What is the US approved synonym for Mourvedre?
Mataro
What is the US synonym for Tempranillo?
Valdepenas
How many AVA’s exist in the US?
200 - 110 of these are in California
What % of a wine must come from a state to have the state listed on the bottle?
75%, except California, which must be 100%
What % of a wone must come from a county for the county to be listed on the label?
75%
What % of a wine must come from an AVA for it to be listed on the bottle?
85%
What % of a wine must come from a specific vineyard for it to be listed on the label?
95%
What amount of sulfites must be present in a wine for it to legally have to be listed as “contains sulfites” on the label?
10 parts per million
For a vintage year to be listed on the bottle, what % of the wine must come from that vintage?
95% - this lowers to 85% if the place of origin is listed as a US state of country, or as a French Vin de Pay or Italian IGT
According to US wine labeling law, what MUST be listed on a wine bottle?
- a brand name
- the class of wine
- an indication of the alcoholic content of the wine
- the name and address of the bottler or importer
- the place or origin (country or more specific)
- the net contents (volume) of the bottle
- a sulfite statement
- a health warning
For a US wine to be labeled “Estate”, what are the requirements?
- the grapes must come from one or more vineyards owned or leased by the winery
- the vineyards must be within a single AVA
- the winery must also be located within that AVA
What are the 5 “Super” AVAs of California?
North Coast, Sierra Foothills, San Francisco Bay, Central Coast, and South Coast
When were grapes first grown in the Napa Valley? When was it’s first winery established?
The 1830’s - the 1860’s
What is the top planted varietal in Napa? In Sonoma?
Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa - Chardonnay in Sonoma
What are the large AVA’s of the North Coast?
Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake County
What are the major counties of the Central Coast, and what are their major AVA’s?
- Monterey - Monterey AVA
- San Luis Obispo - Paso Robles, Edna Valley, and Arroyo Grande
- Santa Barbara - Santa Maria Valley, Ste Rita Hills, and Santa Ynez Valley
Does the Central Valley have a quality wine growing AVA? If so, what?
Yes - Lodi
What is the largest sub-AVA of the South Coast?
Temecula
Due to climate, where are the majority of Washington’s vineyards?
East of the Cascades
What are the top red and white varietals of Washington State?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with equal plantings - Merlot lags just behind
What Washington state varietals often draw the highest acclaim?
Merlot and Syrah
How many AVA’s are in Washington State?
11 - 9 east of the Cascades