USA Flashcards
When was Prohibition?
1920-1933
What is the oldest winery in Napa Valley?
Charles Krug - 1860s
Apart from Charles Krug, what are the 4 other important founding wineries in California? (pre-phylloxera & prohibition)
Buena Vista
Schramsberg
Beringer
Inglenook
When was Robert Mondavi’s first vintage?
1966
Who first named Sauvignon Blanc Fumé Blanc? When?
Robert Mondavi, 1968
Name three important historic Sonoma producers
Hanzell
Martin Ray
Simi
Who is a benchmark Santa Cruz Mountains Producer?
Ridge
Who first had meaningful plantings in Santa Barbara’s Sta. Rita Hills?
Richard Sanford w the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
Who is an iconic and establishing producer of the Willamette Valley? What is the winemaker’s name?
Eyrie Vineyards, David Lett
What year was the judgement of Paris? Who organised it?
1976
Steven Spurrier
Which Red and White wines were the winners at the Judgement of Paris?
Stag’s Leap for Red
Montelena for White
Name three new wave, cult Napa producers
Screaming Eagle
Harlan Estate
Colgin
Where and when was the first AVA designated?
Augusta, Missouri, 1980
When did Napa gain AVA status?
1981
What is the minimum amount of fruit required to be used for a wine to label a specific AVA?
85%
If a producer doesn’t use an AVA, how else can they geographically label?
And what is the minimum amount of fruit required from that area?
County, State, Country.
75%
What is the minimum required percentage of fruit from the named site for a wine to be labelled single vineyard?
95%
What are the exceptions to the state labelling laws in terms of percentage of grapes of origin?
California & Oregon - 100%
Washington - 95%
What is the minimum amount of fruit from a single harvest to be able to label with a single vintage for AVA wines?
95%
What is the minimum amount of required for single varietal labelling?
75%
What are the five large AVAs of California?
North Coast
Central Coast
South Coast
San Francisco Bay
Sierra Foothills
Where does 75% of Califonian wine come from?
Central Valley. It is not considered an AVA
What term is used for a multi-varietal blend where no grape dominates more than 90%?
Meritage
What varieties must Meritage be made from?
Bordeaux varieties
What is ‘Rutherford Dust’?
Valley floor topsoil profile leading to fine, dusty and firm tannin in Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon.
Name three important Sonoma coastal producers
Peay
Hirsch
Marcassin
Name two important Russian River Valley producers
Freestone (Green River)
Kosta Browne (Green River)
Williams Selyem
Kistler
What is the biggest distinctive geographical and climate difference in Monterey?
There is a break in the mountains running east to west, allowing cool ocean air to pull in to the region.
Who are the Santa Cruz Mountains most celebrated producers?
Ridge
Bonnie Doon
What is the Sierra Foothills best known for?
Old Vine Zinfandel
Which three AVAs straddle the Washington and Oregon border?
Columbia Valley
Columbia Gorge
Walla Walla Valley
What are the Washington’s three most important AVAs?
Yakima Valley
Walla Walla Valley
Horse Heaven Hills
What are Washington’s two most planted varieties?
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
What is different about the effect of mountains on Washington and Oregon?
The Cascades act as a rain shadow to most of Washington’s growing regions, which are to east of the mountains. In Oregon, growing regions are mostly to the west of the Cascades.
Who is most famous for exploring the potential of the Wilamette Valley?
David Lett from Eyrie Vineyards
How many nested AVAs does the Wilamette have?
Name three.
Eleven.
Eola-Amity Hills
Dundee Hills
Ribbon Ridge
What are the top three planted white varieties in Oregon?
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Riesling
What is New York’s most planted grape variety?
Concord
