USA

Question 1

From when does modern sparkling wine production date?

Answer 1

1965 - Schramsberg produces BdB from Chardonnay

1970s - Champagne houses establish themselves to make traditional method sparkling e.g. Moët & Chandon founds Domain Chandon in 1973

Question 2

Where is most sparkling wine production based?

Answer 2

California - >50%
Oregon
Washington State

Question 3

Which production methods are used to produce sparkling wine?

Answer 3

Traditional method
Tank method
Pet Nat

Question 4

Describe a typical traditional method sparkling wine

Answer 4

Chardonnay + PN (some PM)
Med intensity
Ripe apple, lemon, toasty
Med (+) acid
Usually Brut
Good to outstanding
Mid - super-premium

Question 5

Describe a typical tank method sparkling wine

Answer 5

Raspberry, peach
Extra Dry with noticeable RS
Inexpensive - mid priced

Question 6

Describe the climatic characteristics of the areas in California that grow grapes for sparkling wine

Answer 6

Coastal regions - cool coastal air drawn inland bringing cool breezes and fog –> ripening speed –> flavour, acidity, alcohol

Question 7

Which grapes are used in California to make sparkling wine?

Answer 7

Chardonnay + Pinot Noir –> most important

Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Savuignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo

Question 8

How are grapes grown in warm areas but still appropriate for sparkling wine?

Answer 8

Early harvest - RS may be added to balance underripe flavour

Question 9

Within California, which areas are important for sparkling wine production?

Answer 9

Mendocino County - Anderson Valley (v. important)

Sonoma County - Russian River Valley, Carneros (v. important)

Sonoma/Napa County - Napa Valley (v. important)

Monterey County - Monterey

San Luis Obispo County - Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande

Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills

San Joaquin County - Lodi

Question 10

Describe the climate and wines of Anderson Valley (Mendocino County)

Answer 10

• NW of valley is close to Pacific
• Valley channels cool air and fog up the valley –> temp, sunshine hours
• Large diurnals
• Home to Roederer Estate
• Wineries that make still wine may also produce small amounts of sparkling or may sell grapes to other sparkling wine producers

Question 11

Describe the climate of and name a notable producer in Russian River Valley (Sonoma County)

Answer 11

• Petaluma gap + river –> cool breeze and fog –> temp and sunshine hours
• Korbel

Question 12

Describe the climate of and name any notable producers in Carneros (Sonoma/Napa County)

Answer 12

San Pablo Bay - cooling

• Gloria Ferre (founded by Freixenet) and Domaine Carneros (Tattinger)

Question 13

Why is Napa considered an important place for sparkling wine production?

Answer 13

• Most of Napa too warm for grapes to make into sparkling
• Some sparkling wine producers are based in Napa and source grapes from cooler areas e.g. Schramsberg
• May also blend with grapes from cooler spots in Napa

Question 14

Describe the climate of Monterey (Monterey County)

Answer 14

• Salinas valley draws ocean breezes inland –> average temp, diurnals
• Breeze especially cool due to ocean canyon off the coast

Question 15

Why are Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande suitable for growing sparkling wine grapes?

Answer 15

Proximity to coast

Question 16

Why are Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills suitable for growing sparkling wine grapes?

Answer 16

Valleys funnel ocean breeze inland

Question 17

Why is Lodi considered an important place for sparkling wine production?

Answer 17

Too warm for premium wine - but large vols of tank and flavoured sparkling e.g. Weibel

Question 18

Describe the climate of Washington State and the styles of wine they produce. Also name the region’s largest producer?

Answer 18

• Northerly latitude + large diurnals –> acidity, low potential ABV, flavours
• Chardonnay, PN, PM blends
• BdB, BdN
• Muller Thurgau, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer
• Mid-priced wines
• Chateau Ste Michelle

Question 19

Describe the climate of Oregon and the styles of wine they produce. Also name the region’s largest producer?

Answer 19

• Willamette Valley - cool climate –> ripening –> acidity
• PN and Chardonnay
• Argyle is largest specialist producer
• Some wineries may send base wine to specialist to be made into trad method fizz e.g. Radiant Sparkling Wine

Question 20

Describe key features of sparkling wine production in the US

Answer 20

• Trad method for premium, tank for inexpensive
• Blending to achieve balance e.g. high acid with low acid wines (with riper fruit flavour)
• Extended lees ageing frequent
• BdN is common style - not regulated so may be made from mainly black fruit with some white blended
• Many wineries sell small vols of sparkling via cellar door - scale not sufficient to invest in specialise equipment so wine sent to custom crush pads e.g. Rack and Riddle (Sonoma) or Brut Custom Crush (Napa)

Question 21

Can US sparkling wine call itself Champagne?

Answer 21

Only for brands established before 2006 and only if accompanied by geographical origin on label e.g. California Champagne

Question 22

Describe the different types of sparkling wine producer

Answer 22

Specialist sparkling wine producers - often founded by Champagne and Cava houses with national distribution, may export e.g. Roederer Estate

Small batch, premium sparkling - sold via cellar door, DTC, locally e.g. Schramsberg

Large companies producing cheap sparkling as part of larger range - national and int’l distribution e.g. Barefoot, Cupcake

Question 23

How much sparkling wine is produced and where is it sold?

Answer 23

173m bottles per year - almost entirely in California

Supplies about 45% of sparkling wine demand

Despite sparkling wine demand rising in past 15 years, market share of US has fallen due to Prosecco and other important fizz