USA Flashcards
What is the United States’ rank in global wine production?
Fourth largest producer of wine.
Which state produces approximately 85% of all American wine?
California.
What rank did the US hold in per capita wine consumption by 2016?
62nd.
What significant trend occurred in US wine consumption in 2019?
First decline in wine consumption in 25 years.
Name three states that follow California in wine production.
- Washington
- New York
- Oregon
Who was the first European to set foot on North America?
Leif Eriksson.
What name did Leif Eriksson give to his discovery in North America?
Vinland.
Which species of grapevine was not present in North America when colonists arrived?
Vitis vinifera.
What law was passed in 1619 in Virginia regarding grapevines?
Every male colonist was required to plant and tend at least 10 vines.
Which Founding Father had a notable interest in wine?
Thomas Jefferson.
What was Thomas Jefferson’s view of wine?
A mark of genteel society and an antidote to whiskey.
What grape did Franciscans introduce to California?
Mission grape.
What significant event in California occurred in 1848?
Discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill.
Who is known as the father of California wine?
Agoston Haraszthy.
What was the first commercial winery founded by Charles Krug?
Charles Krug Winery.
In what years did phylloxera affect California’s vineyards?
Early 1870s to 1890s.
What American grape species provided resistance to phylloxera?
Vitis riparia.
What year did Prohibition begin in the United States?
1920.
What amendment ended Prohibition?
21st Amendment.
What percentage of California’s wine production was sweet, fortified jug wine in 1935?
81%.
Who hired André Tchelistcheff to improve wine quality at Beaulieu Vineyards?
Georges de Latour.
What significant tasting event occurred in 1976?
Judgment of Paris.
What two Napa Valley wines won first place in the Judgment of Paris?
- Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
What was the first Napa Valley bottling to exceed $100?
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon.
What issues did the American wine industry face in the 1980s?
Recurrence of phylloxera.
What grape is associated with Missouri and remains its pride?
Norton grape.
Fill in the blank: The first bonded winery in the United States was __________.
Pleasant Valley Wine Company.
True or False: The US has become a world leader in wine production, consumption, and criticism.
True.
What was a major change in the wine industry during the 1990s?
A stylistic shift towards ripeness, body, and higher alcohol levels.
What is the significance of matching grapes to appropriate sites in winemaking?
It leads to the exploration of new vineyard areas and improves overall wine quality
This practice highlights the importance of terroir in viticulture.
Which generation has shown less enthusiasm for luxury wine brands?
Millennial generation
Millennials are interested in a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
What is the minimum percentage of grapes required for a wine labeled with an AVA?
85%
This percentage applies to the grapes originating from the stated AVA.
What federal bureau oversees the AVA system?
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
The TTB was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
What must be stated on the label for wines with a varietal designation?
A minimum of 75% of the stated variety
Vitis labrusca grapes require only 51% for varietal wine.
What is the minimum percentage of grapes required for wines labeled by country, state, or county?
75%
This percentage is lower than that required for AVA labeling.
In which AVA is the production of sparkling wines particularly suitable?
Carneros AVA
Carneros is located at the southernmost part of Napa Valley.
What are the main winegrowing regions of California?
North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast, San Francisco Bay, Sierra Foothills
These regions are divided based on geographical and climatic features.
What is the term used for a premium blend where no grape accounts for more than 90% of the wine?
Meritage
Meritage wines must be produced from Bordeaux varieties.
True or False: Napa Valley AVA is home to 17 sub-AVAs.
True
These sub-AVAs are named for surrounding mountains and towns.
What grape variety is historically associated with California and is often considered its native son?
Zinfandel
Zinfandel has a complex history linked to Croatian origins.
What is the significance of the term ‘estate bottled’?
100% of the wine must come from grapes grown on land owned or controlled by the winery
All vineyards used must be within the same AVA.
What are the major grape varieties produced in California?
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
- Sauvignon Blanc
California is known for its wide range of varietal wines.
What is the impact of elevation on grape growing in Napa Valley?
Higher elevations yield smaller berries with higher acid due to cooler temperatures
This influences the density and concentration of the wine.
What is unique about Howell Mountain’s AVA in Napa Valley?
It is the only elevation-specific appellation, starting at 1,400 feet
Howell Mountain is known for producing benchmark mountain wines.
What is the minimum percentage of grapes required for wines labeled with a single vineyard?
95%
This ensures authenticity in vineyard-specific wines.
Which AVA is known for its unique microclimate resulting in wines with a firm tannin profile?
Rutherford AVA
Known for the term ‘Rutherford dust’ related to its terroir.
What are the defining characteristics of the North Coast AVA?
- Includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Solano, Marin counties
- Epicenter of fine wine production in the US
It is home to many prestigious wineries and vineyards.
What are the climate classifications of Sonoma County’s AVAs?
- Region I: Cool areas like Carneros
- Region II: Moderate areas
- Region III: Warm areas like Alexander Valley
These classifications help determine suitable grape varieties.
What is the requirement for wines produced in Sonoma County regarding labeling?
All wines must state ‘Sonoma County’ on the label
This requirement was established in 2011.
Fill in the blank: The __________ AVA was approved in 2022 and hugs the coast from Mendocino to Bodega Bay.
West Sonoma Coast
This AVA focuses on cool-climate viticulture.
What are the prominent grape varieties successful in Sonoma Valley AVA?
Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Valley is known for its warm temperatures and diverse grape cultivation.
What is the significance of Bennett Valley within Sonoma County?
Favors Merlot due to cooler temperatures
Bennett Valley is a nested AVA in the northwestern sector of Sonoma Valley.
What are the main grape varieties produced in the Petaluma Gap AVA?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah
The AVA is known for its cool climate influenced by wind and fog.
Which AVAs are encompassed within the Mendocino AVA?
Anderson Valley, Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, McDowell Valley, Yorkville Highlands, Cole Ranch, Mendocino Ridge
Mendocino AVA has stricter boundaries than the county appellation.
What is unique about Cole Ranch AVA?
It is the smallest AVA in America with a single vineyard
Cole Ranch is located within Mendocino County.
What climatic conditions affect the Anderson Valley?
Cool climate due to ocean air and fog
This climate is ideal for producing elegant sparkling wines.
What is the primary grape variety grown in Mendocino Ridge AVA?
Zinfandel
Zinfandel thrives above the fog line in this high-elevation AVA.
What is the significance of Clear Lake in Lake County?
Helps buffer hot temperatures and retains higher acidity in grapes
Lake County is the smallest wine-producing county in the North Coast.
What is the growing season like in California’s Central Coast AVA?
Longest growing season in California
The AVA spans from San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara County.
Which grape variety accounts for about 40% of plantings in Monterey AVA?
Chardonnay
Monterey AVA was extensively planted following Napa’s success.
What is the primary climate characteristic of Paso Robles AVA?
Wide variations in climate and soil
This variation has led to the creation of 11 new AVAs.
What are the notable grape varieties produced in Santa Barbara County?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Rhône varieties
The region’s lengthy growing season is beneficial for these varieties.
What is the primary focus of the Sierra Foothills AVA?
Chewy, spicy, concentrated Zinfandel
The region has historical significance from the 19th-century gold rush.
Which institution has significantly impacted California’s wine industry?
University of California at Davis
It is known for its viticulture and oenology programs.
What is the major climatic effect on Washington’s wine regions?
Rain shadow effect of the Cascade Mountains
This effect creates arid conditions necessitating irrigation.
What is the largest AVA in Washington State?
Columbia Valley AVA
It covers 11 million acres, including significant nested AVAs.
What are the main grape varieties in Walla Walla Valley?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
These varieties comprise over 80% of the valley’s current plantings.
What is Oregon primarily known for in its wine production?
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
While Pinot Noir is dominant, there are other noteworthy regions.
Fill in the blank: The __________ AVA is characterized by an old riverbed in Walla Walla Valley.
Rocks of Milton-Freewater
It is entirely located within the Walla Walla Valley.
What are some notable grape varieties produced in Washington?
traminer, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc
Over 1,000 bonded wineries are currently in business in Washington.
Which AVAs are located in Oregon near the northern boundary with Washington?
Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, The Rocks of Milton-Freewater
The Rocks of Milton-Freewater AVA was established in 2015.
What is significant about the topsoil of The Rocks of Milton-Freewater AVA?
It consists of basalt cobblestones, drawing comparisons to the galets of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Who were the early pioneers of Pinot Noir in Oregon’s Willamette Valley?
David Lett, Charles Coury, Dick Erath, Dick Ponzi.
What achievement did Lett’s 1975 South Block Reserve Pinot Noir accomplish?
It achieved outstanding results in a French competition.
How does the style of Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley compare to those from California and Côte d’Or?
Lighter and earthier than California, riper and more forward than Côte d’Or.
What climatic factors influence the wine styles in the Willamette Valley?
Pacific winds, elevation, soil structures.
What are the six smaller AVAs created within the Willamette Valley?
Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, Ribbon Ridge, McMinnville, Yamhill-Carlton District, Chehalem Mountains.
What is significant about the Van Duzer Corridor AVA?
Approved in 2019, it impacts McMinnville and Eola-Amity Hills, generating more tannic styles of Pinot Noir.
What grape varieties are significant in Southern Oregon?
Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay.
What is the minimum percentage of stated variety required for varietal wines in Oregon?
90%.
What is New York’s rank in vineyard area and wine production by volume in the US?
Third largest.
What is the most planted grape variety in New York?
Concord.
Which wineries in New York are known for producing Kosher sacramental wines?
Manischewitz, Mogen David.
What challenges do vinifera varieties face in New York?
Punishing winters, spring and autumn frost, winter freeze.
Who was key in developing New York’s wine industry and championing Riesling?
Dr. Konstantin Frank.
What is the flagship grape of the Finger Lakes AVA?
Riesling.
What climatic effect benefits vineyards in the Finger Lakes region?
Lake effect moderates temperatures.
What types of wines were historically produced in the Finger Lakes?
White and sparkling wines from French-American hybrids.
What are the primary grape varieties grown in the Long Island AVA?
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling.
What is the significance of the Hudson River Region AVA?
It houses the United States’ oldest continually operating winery, Brotherhood Winery.
What AVA is known for its ice wines, primarily produced from Vidal?
Niagara Escarpment AVA.
Fill in the blank: The Lake Erie AVA is better known for _______ than for wine.
jelly and juice.
