USA - Introduction

Question 1

What is the total vineyard area?

Answer 1

430,000 ha

Question 2

In terms of production, which three countries are ahead and directly behind the US?

Answer 2

• Ahead: Italy, France, Spain
• Behind: Argentina, Chile, Australia

Question 3

What are the four states with most production? (incl. %)

Answer 3

• California (80%)
• Washington (5%)
• New York (4%)
• Oregon (1.4%)

Question 4

Briefly summarize the wine growing history

Answer 4

• Vinifera vines unsuited to climatic conditions and diseases
• Hybrid varieties used until 1850
• Prohibition in 1920
• In 1933 most people could not afford wine -> unfashionable
• 1940s/50s: Large companies, like Gallo, emerged and established strong brands
• End of 1960s: Increased public interest in wine and increase in wineries
• Many states discovered winemaking suited to their climatic conditions, e.g., Ohio or New York

Question 5

How are the wine regions organized?

Answer 5

American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)

Question 6

What purpose do AVAs have and what are the regulations?

Answer 6

• Designated grape growing regions with unique geological and geographical features
• NO AVA-based regulations

Question 7

How many AVAs exist and how many of them are in California?

Answer 7

• 246
• 60% in California (≈140)

Question 8

What other appellation system exists next to AVAs? What are the regulations?

Answer 8

• Appellations defined by political boundaries (e.g., county, state or country)
• Min 75% of grapes from that appellation
• Wine must be finished in the respective state

Question 9

What are the regulations if the label states a variety?

Answer 9

• Min 75% from that variety
• Appellation of origin must be stated
• Two or more varieties may be stated if percentage of each variety is listed

Question 10

What are the regulations if the label states an appellation of origin? When can the vintage be stated?

Answer 10

• Min 75% from the stated county, state, or country of origin
• Where appellations overlap with neighbouring states, the label must reflect the percentage of the wine derived from each variety from each state
• Min 85% from the stated vintage

Question 11

What are the regulations if the label states an AVA? When can the vintage be stated?

Answer 11

• Min 85% from that AVA
• Produced in the state of the AVA
• Min 95% from the stated vintage

Question 12

How does the US compare to other markets in terms of import, consumption (total and per capita)

Answer 12

• Highest value import sales (5.2 bn Euro)
• Highest global consumption by volume (33 mn hL)
• BUT LOW per capita rate (11L)

Question 13

How does the US compare to other markets in terms of production and export volumes. What does that indicate?

Answer 13

• 4th largest producer of wine (23.9 m hL)
• Only 8th in export volume (3.5 m hL)
• -> majority of production is consumed domestically

Question 14

What are the three largest wine companies in the US?

Answer 14

• E & J Gallo (70 m cases, 6.3 m hL)
• The Wine Group (53m cases, 4.8 m hL)
• Constellation Brands (35 m cases, 3.2 m hL)

Question 15

What complicates importing, distributing and selling of wine and what is the recent trend?

Answer 15

• Three-tier system with different laws in each state
• Trend: increasing number of states allow wine producers to sell directly to consumers