U.S. Flashcards
U.S. Wine History and Laws
History: 1500s French Huguenots in FL, 1600s Colonist in NE, 1769-1823 Franciscan Missions in CA, 1850s Italian and French immigrants, Burena Vista Vineyards, 1920-1933 Prohibition, 1960s Modern wine industry in CA, 1976 Judgement of Paris
Key figures: Agoston Haraszthy, Robert Mondavi, Andre Tchelistcheff
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) - federal beverage alcohol laws
American Viticultural Area (AVA): delimited grape growing area, geographic only, Augusta in 1980, Napa in 1981
US Labelling Rules
Labels - Accuracy of Origin, Varietal, Year
USA: 75%, 75%, no vintage
State: 75%, 75%, 85%
CA: 100%, 75%, 85%
County: 75%, 75%, 85%
AVA: 75%, 85%, 95%
Vineyard, 95%, 75%, 95%
California State regions
North Coast - Sonoma AVA and Napa AVA
City: San Francisco
Central Coast - Santa Barbara AVA
Central Valley - bulk wine
City: Sacramento
Sierra Foothills
Napa Valley AVA
Geography: 30 miles long, San Pablo Bay (south), Mayacamas Mountains (west), Mount Saint Helena (north), Vaca Mountains (east)
Topography / Aspect - Mountainous, 2,000+ ft
Climate: Mediterranean, morning & evening fog, diurnal shift, warmer moving north
Soil: diverse, alluvial, granite, rocks, clay
Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel
Vinification: use of French & American oak, malolactic fermentation of Chardonnay, sparkling
Carneros AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Oakville AVA, Rutherford AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Pritchard Hill AVA, Yountville AVA
Napa Cab
Tell: Big, rich, and round, Complex with oak and black fruit
Color: Deep ruby and purple
Tasting notes: Ripe black and blue fruits, blackberry, black cherry, exotic spice, cinnamon, red flowers, violet, dusty earthy, oak, baking spice, clove, vanilla
Tannin: M+, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M+, Body: Full, Texture: Round, Complexity: M+
Pairing: steak, lamb
Sonoma AVAs
Climate: Cooler coastal areas to warmer moving inland, fog and elevation, diurnal shift
Topography: Hilly or mountainous throughout
Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah
Vinification: varied, some oak
Alexander Valley AVA, Dry Creek AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, Russian River Valley, Carneros AVA
Chardonnay
Tell: Creamy & round, refreshing acid
Color: Pale Gold
Tasting notes: Ripe citrus, apple, lemon, pear, tropical, pineapple, some white flower, oak, creamy, butter, lees / ML, baking spice, clove, vanilla
Alcohol: M+, Complexity: M+
Pairing: butter, cream, citrus sauces, scallops
Anderson Valley AVA
Location: North of Sonoma in Mendocino County, along the Pacific Ocean
Climate: Cool coastal areas to warmer inland
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley AVA (sparkling)
Central Coast
Monterey AVA - Fog and wind influences
Grapes: Wide variety, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Paso Robles AVA - More inland and warmer
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Rhône varieties, Zinfandel
Santa Barbara County - Transverse East-West Valleys with wind tunnel
City: Santa Barbara
Santa Maria Valley AVA
Santa Ynez Valley AVA
Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Oregon State
Location: Pacific Northwest, most AVAs west of Cascades
Climate: Maritime cool and wet, Coastal range rain shadow with dry summers
Topography: Rolling hills and mountains
Soil: Mix of volcanic, alluvial and clay
Grapes: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley AVA
Topography: Valley floor and hillside vineyards
Climate: Rain shadow of Coastal Range (E) and Cascades (W)
Many sub-AVAs from regional microclimates
Oregon Labelling Laws
Stricter than other states
Origin
95% of grapes grown in that AVA
Varietal
90% for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
75% for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Washington State
Location: Pacific Northwest
Geography: Cascade Mountains
Climate: Continental to arid, dramatic diurnal shift, rain shadow from Cascade Mountains (dry and hot Eastern WA)
Grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Viticulture: Long, dry growing season, irrigation essential
Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA
New York State
Location: Northeastern US
Climate: Continental, moderating influences from lakes, rivers, and Atlantic Ocean, deep freezes
Grapes: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Concord
Regions: Finger Lakes (Syracuse), Lake Erie (Buffalo), Hudson River, Long Island
Key figure: Konstantin Frank
Finger Lakes, Long Island, North Fork
