United States Wine Law/Wine History

Question 1

Where are most of the CA fine wine districts located geographically?

Answer 1

Located near the coast, where fog and cool sea breezes mitigate temperatures and create large diurnal swing from warm days to cool nights

Question 2

What varietal wines lead the way in CA?

Answer 2

Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 3

What are some “exotic” grapes also bottled in CA?

Answer 3

Gewuztraminer, Viognier, Petit Sirah, grenache and Mourvedre

Question 4

What does the term Meritage mean?

Answer 4

Indicates a premium blend in which no grape accounts for more than 90% of the wine. Must be produced from at least 2 Bordeaux varietals.

Question 5

T or F: California produces the bulk of American wine

Answer 5

True: California produces approx 90% of all american wine followed by NY, WA, and OR

Question 6

What are the species of grape vines found native in the US?

Answer 6

1. Vitis Labrusca (Concord and Catawaba grapes)
2. Vitis Rotundifoia (Scuppernog)
3. Vitis aestivalis (Norton)

Question 7

Who helped stave off Phylloxera?

Answer 7

Charles Valentine Riley, a Missouri Entomologist, understood the innate resistance of American grape species to Phylloxera - French erected a statue in Montpellier in his honor

Question 8

When did prohibition start and stop?

Answer 8

Started with series of state-level prohibitions,

• maine in 1851,
• Kansas in 1881,
• nationwide ban with the 18th Amendment in 1919.
• Repealed in 1933 with 21st Amendment

Question 9

How did Quality come about in the USA’s early wine making days?

Answer 9

1938, Georges de Latour hired Andre Tchelistcheff, a Russian winemaker trained in France, to oversee production at Beaulieu. Dubbed “Dean of American Winemakers”, he mentored Robert Mondaivi, Louis Martini, Joe Heitz and Mike Grgich.

Question 10

What is America’s first AVA?

Answer 10

Augusta, Missouri, in late 1980

Question 11

When did Napa gain AVA status?

Answer 11

In 1981

Question 12

Who regulates/governs alcohol/wine in the US?

Answer 12

The TTB - Tax and Trade Bureau

Question 13

What % of grapes must be in the bottle if a US AVA is listed?

Answer 13

85% minimum

Question 14

What % of grapes must be in the bottle if an AVA is not used, and it’s listed by county, state or country in the US?

Answer 14

75%

Except:

CA and OR must be 100%

and WA must be 95%

Question 15

In the US, if wine is labeled from a single vineyard, what % of the grapes must be from the vineyard?

Answer 15

95%

Question 16

What are the percentage of Grapes required for labeling by Appellation in the US?

Answer 16

• Country, state or county: 75%
• AVA: 85% Except CA/OR: 100%
• WA:95%
• Single vineyard: 95%

Question 17

Name the top five wine producing states:

Answer 17

1. California,
2. Washington
3. New York
4. Oregon
5. Pennsylvania