USA Flashcards
When did sparkling wine production begin in the USA? What were two important companies?
The mid-19th century, with Haraszthy and F. Korbel and Bros
When did the modern period of sparkling winemaking begin in the USA? What company was responsible for the innovation?
1965 when Schramsberg produced the first commercial US sparkling Chardonnay, a Blanc de Blanc Brut.
What was the fallout of Schramsberg’s 1965 Blanc de Blancs Brut production?
Champagne and Cava companies began arriving in the US in 1970, spearheaded by Moët and Chandon.
What types of sparkling wine are currently produced in the USA?
A range of styles including traditional and tank methods, as well as a small amount of Pet Nat.
What states in the USA are important producers of sparkling wine?
California (over half of production)
Oregon
Washington
What are the quality and pricing of US sparkling wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?
Good to outstanding quality with mid- to super premium pricing
What is the typical character of traditional method sparkling wines from the USA?
Brut
Medium (+) acidity
Medium intensity aromas of ripe yellow apple, lemon, toasty autolytic notes
Do producers of sparkling wine in the USA often use Meunier in their wines?
A few do, but it is much less common than in Champagne
True or False
Tank method wines in U.S.A. are often made made in an Extra Dry style.
True, and the residual sugar is typically intended to be noticeable in these wines.
Does the USA produce fruit flavored sparkling wines?
Yes, often in the tank method
Where in California are the grapes for premium sparkling wines usually grown?
Near the coast or areas that are cooled by the Pacific Ocean
How does the Pacific Ocean cool grapes for California sparkling wines?
Cold air is drawn toward the hotter Central Valley, bringing cool breezes and/or fog to the coast, along river valleys, and between gaps in coastal mountains
Why do Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the production of sparkling wine grow well in the coastal areas of California?
The cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean allow the grapes to maintain high acidity and moderate alcohol while still developing ripe flavors
What varieties are used to make California tank method wines?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinor Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah, and Tempranillo
When are grapes destined for sparkling wine harvested in the warmer areas of California compared to those in cooler areas? Do the musts undergo any correction?
The grapes are harvested earlier and may require additional sugar to compensate for under-ripe flavors
What are the important areas in California for sparkling wine production? Which are the most significant?
Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley, and Carneros are the most significant
Napa Valley, Monterey, Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria Valley and Santa Rita Hills, and Lodi
Describe the geography of Anderson Valley AVA and the conditions that permit it to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
Anderson Valley is in Mendocino County, north of Sonoma, and the northwestern part of the AVA is near the Pacific Ocean. Cool ocean breezes and fog travel along the river valley to moderate temperatures and reduce sunlight hours. Wide diurnal ranges are typical, which ensure high levels of acid.
Where in California is Roederer Estate located?
Anderson Valley AVA
True or False
Many wineries from outside Anderson Valley AVA purchase wines from the region
True
True or False
Still wine producers in Anderson Valley AVA also produce small amounts of sparkling wine
True
Describe the geography of Russian River Valley AVA and the conditions that permit it to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
Located in the Petaluma Gap within Sonoma AVA, Russian River Valley receives cool breezes from the river and, by way of the coastal mountain range, the ocean.
Which California sparkling wine pioneer is based in Russian River Valley AVA?
Korbel
Describe the geography of Carneros AVA and the conditions that permit it to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
North of Vallejo and San Pablo Bay, Carneros straddles the southern part of both Sonoma and Napa AVAs. It receives its cooling influences from the San Pablo Bay.
Which major sparkling wine producers are based in Carneros AVA? Who were they founded by?
Gloria Ferrer, founded by Freixenet
Domaine Carneros, founded by Taittinger
Describe the geography of Napa Valley AVA and the conditions that permit it to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
North of Vallejo and bordering the east of Sonoma AVA, it is too hot in the majority of Napa Valley to grow sparkling wine grapes.
True or False
The important sparkling wine producers of Napa Valley AVA, especially those founded there, continue to grow grapes for sparkling wines there while others must source them.
False. Sparkling wine producers must source their grapes from outside the area because the climate there is too hot
Name two important sparkling wine producers of Napa Valley AVA.
Schramsberg and Mumm
Describe the geography of Monterey AVA and the conditions that permit it to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
Located between San Luis Obispo and San Francisco, the northern part of Monterey AVA experiences low pressure weather systems that create cool areas with high diurnal temperature ranges.
When did Monterey AVA become an area of interest for the planting of grapes destined for sparkling wine?
Following the development of the Heat Summation Scale by Winkler and Amerine at UC Davis in the 1940s. The scale identified the region as cool zones 1-2.
Describe the geography of Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande AVAs and the conditions that permit them to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
These are the two coolest areas of San Luis Obispo due to their proximity to the Pacific Coast.
Which producer makes high quality sparkling wines in Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande AVAs?
Laetitia Vineyard and Winery
Describe the geography of Santa Maria Valley and Santa Rita Hills AVAs and the conditions that permit them to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
These east-west running valleys in Santa Barbara County channel cool winds and fog from the Pacific.
True or False
Winkler and Amerine identified large portions of Santa Barbara County as zones 2-3
False. Large portions of Santa Barbara County were identified as zones 1-2.
Describe the geography of Lodi AVA and the conditions that permit them to make high quality sparkling wine grapes.
Lodi AVA is north of Central Valley AVA and southeast of Napa Valley AVA. It is too hot to grow high quality sparkling wine grapes here, but is home to several large tank method producers.
What large thank method producer is based in Lodi AVA?
Weibel
What state is the second largest producer of sparkling wine in the U.S.?
Washington
What is the largest producer of sparkling wine in Washington State?
Chateau Ste. Michelle
What factors help Washington State to grow grapes with light intensity aromas and medium to medium (+) acidity?
A high northerly latitude and high diurnal swing
What is the character of grapes grown in Washington State? High or low intensity? High or low acid?
Light intensity aromas, medium to medium (+) acid
What are the principal sparkling wines produced in Washingron State?
Blends from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, including Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs.
Single varietal sparkling wines from Müller Thurgau, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer are also produced
How are the wines from Washington State priced? How does this affect their desirability in the U.S. market?
Competitively, making them attractive to the U.S. market
What has been the trend of sparkling wine production in Oregon? Who is the largest producer?
Sparkling wine is an increasing part of Oregon’s wine portfolio. Its largest producer of sparkling wine is Argyle.
What region of Oregon is ideal for the development of sparkling wine grapes? Why?
Willamette Valley because the cool climate allows grapes to ripen slowly while retaining naturally high acidity
How do wineries in Oregon that do not specialize in sparkling winemaking gain the expertise and technological capability to produce sparkling wines?
Mobile winemaking units or companies provide advise to smaller producers on how to create their base wines.
The wines can then go to specialist traditional method sparkling wine production companies
What company is an example of a specialist traditional method sparkling wine producer in Oregon? What exactly do they do?
Radiant Sparkling Wine takes the base wine from small producers who lack the capabilities to produce their own traditional method wines and completes the process for them.
How are premium and inexpensive U.S. sparkling wines produced?
Premium wines are typically made by the traditional method
Inexpensive wines are made by the tank method
Are premium sparkling wines in the U.S. usually made by blending the base wine? Why or why not?
Yes, to balance varietal flavors with acidity without other forms of adjustment. This also ensures quality of the wine.
True or False
Many sparkling wines from the USA see extended lees aging, reducing costs
True and False
Many sparkling wines from USA do see extended lees aging, but this increases costs and prices
True or False
Blanc de Noirs is a more common sparkling wine style in the USA than in other countries
True
What varietal is commonly used in the production of U.S. Blanc de Noirs?
Pinot Noir
What regulations control the production of sparkling wine in the U.S., including the use of white grapes in Blanc de Noirs?
None. Producers may complement the use of black grapes with white grapes in their Blanc de Noirs production.
Which U.S. producer is a good example of the use of a small amount of white grapes in their Blanc de Noirs production? What varieties do they use?
Schramsberg, which uses 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay in their Blanc de Noirs
Are wineries in the U.S. making an effort to produce amounts of sparkling wine for sale through the tasting room or direct to customers, but not on the general market?
Yes
What custom crush facilities are available in California for wineries that can not afford the equipment needed to produce sparkling wines? Where in California are they located?
Rack and Riddle in Sonoma
Brut Custom Crush in Napa
True or False
The U.S. government permits the use of ‘Champagne’ on the labels of U.S. wines provided the geographic indication accompanies the term
True, but only for brands that used this term prior to 2006. ‘California Champagne’ is the typical example.
What are the three different types of sparkling wine company in the USA? Provide information on their market and examples of producers.
Specialist sparkling wine producers often established by Champagne and Cava houses with U.S. distribution and small export amounts. (Roederer Estate)
Wine companies producing small batch, premium sparkling wines sold at the cellar door, direct to consumers, or through related restaurants and resorts. (Schramsberg)
Large wine companies that produce sparkling wine as part of a larger portfolio with national and international distribution. (Cupcake, Barefoot)
In 2016, what percentage of the U.S. sparkling wine market was comprised of California sparkling wine? How many cases was that?
43% from 11 million cases
What has been the trend of sparkling wine consumption in the USA? What has been the trend of California sparkling wine consumption inside the USA?
Sparkling wine consumption has grown steadily over the past 15 years, though California has lost significant market share to international sparkling wines, especially Prosecco.
What market factor is negatively affecting California sparkling wine sales in the USA?
Millenials are less bound to domestic brands and view foreign brands as more authentic.
