USA Flashcards
1
Q
Where is USA in terms of volume of wine produced?
A
- 4th
- some way behind
- 1st Italy
- 2nd France
- 3rd Spain
- some way ahead of
- 5th Argentina
- 6th Chile
- 7th Australia
2
Q
USA top 4 states by volume
A
- California 80%
2= New York 5%
2= Washington 5%
- Oregan 1.4%
3
Q
Total planted area in US and number of wineries
A
- 430,000 ha across 30 states
- wine is vinified in approx 10,000 wineries across all 50 states
4
Q
What was the Alexander and why was it significant?
A
- a natural hybrid of a native vine Vitis labrusca and a variety of Vitis vinifera discovered in Pennsylvania
- it was the building block for 1st successful commercial venture in US wine-making
- once hybrid nature understood, so was potential for drinkable wine, tho most eg Norton, Delaware and Catawba still showed unusual aromas
- 50 yrs of grape growing/wine-making from border with Canada down to Georgia and west to Missouri, govt-funded research, analysis & supply (incl deliberate hybridization to improve the features/ flavours
5
Q
When and why did Europeans bring vinifera wines to US and what happened to them?
A
- from 1620 onwards
- because US indigenous vines did not produce grapes to make wine deemed drinkable
- despite cuttings of different varieties across range of settled territories, all vinifera vines died from indigenous diseases, pests and unsuitable climatic conditions
6
Q
When and why did California become the dominant force in US wine production?
A
- Vitis vinifera already thriving in New Mexico, Texas & California (all Mexican territories). These were ceded to US in 1848
- then Californian gold rush population explosion, caused 50-100 fold increase in vine plantings 1860-1900
- California Wine Association formed in 1894 brought trading stability to chaos and developed distribution.
7
Q
Effect of Prohibition
A
- Before prohibition in 1920, US wine industry 2m hL pa
- Until repeal in 1933, commercial wine limited to sacremental and medicinal
- Grape juice for home winemaking allowed, so vineyards increased, but industrial winemaking devastated
- In 1933 when repealed, US deep in recession, wine unaffordable for most compared to beer and spirits
8
Q
Wine in US in the 40s and 50s
A
- Large cos like Roma Wines of Fresno and Gallo of Modesto created brands using European wine areas eg California Sherry, California Burgundy, Pink Chablis
- Enhanced by celebrity spokesmen and part of elegant, modern lifestyle
9
Q
When did US wine get serious again?
A
- late 1960s, revival from makers and consumers
- improved locations, improved winemaking - portfolios became smaller, better quality, more interesting
- newly developed fungicides and pesticides
- consumers invested in both wine and knowledge
10
Q
Expansion of wine making across US in late 60s
A
- new wineries in California 240 in 1970 to 4000 by 2014
- eastern states - Ohio, New York, Virginia - new plantings of V vinifera, French hybrids like Seyval Blanc, newly developed fungicides and pesticides
- mid-west (New Mexico, Texas) revived, expanded
- northern states (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin) planted cool climate Riesling and hybrid Brianna
- for those wanting to make cooler, more elegant styles north of California, Washington’s Yakima Valley and Oregan’s Willamette Valley
11
Q
one slide on American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
A
- designated grape growing regions with unique geological and geographical features. Petitioned by local growers/wine makers, reviewed by TTB (federal govt: US Dept Treasury’s Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax & Trade Bureau)
- there are no AVA regulations on growing/winemaking
- most AVAs are within single state, some overlap if follow rivers/ basins eg Oregan & Washington State share AVAs Columbia Valley, Columbia Gorge & Walla Walla Valley
- of the 242 AVAs, 140 (60%) are in California
- Typical for producers in large AVA created 20-30yrs ago to appeal to create smaller AVAs with distinct microclimates/terrain “sub-AVAs” or “nested AVAs”
12
Q
US Appellations of Origin
A
- defined by political boundaries eg name of county, state or country
- federal law requires min 75% of grapes used be from that appellation
- and that wine be fully finished within that appellation
13
Q
Labelling laws in US domestic market
A
- 1, Any stated variety must be min 75% of that variety
- Two + may be named as long as percentage stated
- Appellation of origin must be stated with variety
- If appellation stated, min 75% from appellation.If overlaps, label must state % of wine from each variety of each state. Can list vintage only if 85% from that year.
- 3.If AVA stated, min 85% grapes from stated AVA. Wine must be fermented and fully finished in the AVA’s state
- some states are more stringent eg Oregan requires 100% grapes grown in Oregan. If Oregan AVA 95% grapes must be grown in that AVA.
14
Q
US wine market size
A
- world’s largest wine market
- highest value imports (5.2bn Eu)
- highest global consumption (32.6m hL)
- low per capita rate of 11L
- 4th largest producer (23.9m hL from 9762 wineries)
- 8th largest exporter (3.3m hL) as 60% drunk domestically
15
Q
US wine business
A
- 10,000 wineries, many owning portfolio of winemaking facilities
- top 10 companies produce 90%+ of US domestic sales
- E&J Gallo 70m cases, 6.3m hL
- The Wine Group 53m cases, 4.8m hL
- Constellation Brands 50m cases, 4.5m hL
- wine is made in all 50 states, those with climate issues (cold, humidity) can buy grapes/must from other states
16
Q
After Prohibition, regulatory control passed from federal govt to the states, as well as control of beverage alcohol sales. What is the 3 tier system?
A
- system designed to prevent direct sales from producer to retailer
- drastically different laws over 50 US states make importing, distributing and selling alcohol in multiple states v complicated
- increasingly states allow producer to sell direct, important for small businesses, so may wineries, have well equipped cellar doors to encourage such sales, and wine clubs where consumers pay fee for opp to buy wines.
