USA Flashcards
What are the percentage minimums for the United States wine labeling system?
Varietals:
75%
90% in Oregon for most
Vintage:
95% for vintage listed in bottle
Appellation:
75% min for country, state or county
85% for AVA
95% for stated vineyard
Estate Bottling:
100% of the wine comes from grapes grown on land owned and controlled by the winery which must be located in the AVA
Expand on Napa Valley geography (intro)
San Pablo Bay Mt.St Helena Vaca Range Macayama mountains Napa River
Mediterranean Climate Cool in Carneros Warmer moving North Morning/evening fog Diurnal shift
What are the most important varietals in Napa Valley?
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet
Merlot
What are some of the most important AVA’s of Napa?
Carneros
Stags Leap district
Oakville
Rutherford
Mountain AVA’s
Howell Mountain
Expand on the geography of Sonoma County
Hills and Mountains
Rivers
Proximity to Pacific Ocean
Cooler coastal areas Warmer moving inland Fog Elevation Diurnal shift Wind
What are Sonoma County’s most important varietals?
Chard
Sauv Blanc
Cab Merlot Zin Pinot Noir Syrah
What are some of the most important AVA’s of Sonoma County?
Carneros Sonoma Valley Sonoma Coast Alexander Valley Russian River Valley Dry Creek Valley
Expand on geo for Mendocino County
Cool coastal areas
Warm inland
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Sparkling wine!
Anderson Valley
Expand on the most important AVA’s of the Central Coast of California
*MONTEREY
Fog and wind influences
Wide variety of grapes planted
*PASO ROBLES
Rhone varietals and Zinfandel
*SANTA BARBARA COUNTY East West Valleys Santa Maria Santa Ynez Valley Sta. Rita Hills
Expand on geo, climate, and soil of Oregon
Geo
Most AVA’a are west of the Cascades
Climate, cool, wet, maritime influenced
Soil
Mix of Volcanic, alluvial, clay
What are the main grapes of Oregon?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Riesling
Expand on Willamette Valley
Between Coast Range and Cascade Mountains
Rain shadow effect
Valley floor and hillside vineyards
Expand on geo and climate of Washington State
Pacific Northwest Cascade Mountains (rain shadow effect)
Continental to Arid
Dramatic diurnal shift
What are the most important AVA’s of Washington State? (intro)
Columbia Valley
Yakima Valley
Which AVA’s are in both Washington and Oregon state?
Columbia Gorge
Columbia Valley
Walla Walla
