USA - New York State Flashcards
Where is New York State?
On USA’s Western coast
What vines are planted here?
American and Hybrid vines
What purpose do these grapes have?
Juices and jellies
What grapes are grown on V. Vinifera?
Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cab Sav.
Where is production for New York vs California?
3rd largest producer in USA (1- Cali, 2) Washington
Where is Fingerlakes AVA?
Upstate New York, sits below Lake Ontario on Canadian border
Describe the lakes and their effect
Deep glacial lakes, store heat well into November, raising air temperature of the surrounding vineyards and extending the growing season.
What is the climate in Fingerlakes?
Continental climate, coldest AVA in USA, warm summers, cold winters. Lakes moderate temperature = longer growing season
List the lakes
1) Canadaaigua
2) Keuka
3) Seneca (sub-AVA)
4) Cayuga (sub-AVA)
What is the topography of Fingerlakes and effect?
slopes around the lakes, enables cold air to drain towards the water. As it reaches the lake, the air warms and rises creating a vacuum that draws more cold air off the land.
What unique thing can the lakes do?
Create their own lake-effect snow, which can also help insulate vines during winter
What is the warming influence on the grapes?
warming influence during autumn enables grapes to ripen over a longer period, reduces risk of autumn frost
What is the effect of cool air from lakes?
in spring, cool air delays bud bust reducing change of frost damage
Where are vineyards located?
on steeper areas, where cold air flows towards the lake (rather than on flat bench areas - cold pockets)
What trellising system is used?
Scott Henry common - split canopy to allow greater air circulation (reducing fungal disease) and light penetration
How are the vines protected in winter?
Snow can help insulate, but further hilling up the soil around the vine protects it
What did Dr Konstantin Frank do?
1950s introduced grafted cool climate V Vinifera
What are the 2 most planted grape varieties?
Riesling and Cabernet Franc
Describe Reisling style in Fingerlakes
Different levels of sweetness, majority dry to med-dry
High acidity
med body
apple, lemon & peach
alcohol levels range (depending on style)
describe riesling winemaking in Fingerlakes
made using protective techniques
Fermented at cool temp 12-16℃
S/S
Maybe some skin contact before pressing to enhance flavour/texture
How are sweet wines made in Fingerlakes?
Achieved via late harvest, botrytis and/or stopping fermentation.
What is the quality level of fingerlake riesling?
good to v good
mid-premium priced
Describe Riesling in the vineyard
Cold hardy
Buds late = protect from Frost
Needs good sun/draining + long growing season
HIGH YIELDS 70 hL/ha + GOOD QUALITY
Good disease resistance
Usually unoaked
no MLF - retain acidity/fruit flavours
Describe Cabernet Franc in Fingerlakes + tasting note.
Most planted V Vinifera
mid-ripening = adequate yields in most years
less new oak now than in past
often 1 x wine with no oak
Oak = French or Hungarian = more subtle than American
Med body
med tannin
Red Cherry, Cranberry, black plum
some herbaceous notes
good to v good, mid-priced
Other grape varieties in Fingerlakes
Pinot Noir
Gewurtztraminer
Cab Sav
Merlot
Pinot Gris
Name 2 other AVAs in New York
Long Island AVA
Hudson River AVA
Describe Long Island AVA
Extends from Manhatten towards Atlantic Ocean with 2 peninsulas, = 2 sub-AVAs: North Fork AVA and Hamptons AVA
What is the growing environment in Long Island AVA?
Surrounded by water - Atlantic Ocean, picnic Bay and Long Island Sound = Maritime climate, long growing season because bodies of water slowly release heat into autumn.
What does the long growing season allow for in Long Island AVA?
able to ripen Bordeaux varieties, particularly Merlot, plus Chardonnay and Sav Blanc
What is the risk in Long Island AVA?
Treatment?
High Humidity - fungal disease, tho windy coastal sites can help.
Spraying, leaf removal = air circulation
sorting grapes in vineyard/winery
Describe North Fork AVA
Slight warmer, more protected from Atlantic weather, contains most of the vineyards vs Hamptons.
Sandy soil, free-draining and low fertility = limits vine vigour.
Describe red Grape varieties in Long Island AVA- oak?
Merlot, Cab Sav, Cab Franc matured in French or Hungarian Oak
Describe white Grape varieties in Long Island AVA and winemaking
Sav Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris (dry, light bodied style)
cool ferment in S/S
fruity, unbaked style
Chardonnay in unoaked or Oaked/matured in oak style
MLF common plus lees ageing = creamier, FB toasty style, med+ acidity
Describe Hudson River Region AVA (history)
Wine made for over 300 yrs
Contains 1st commercial winery
Contains oldest active winery
Describe vineyard in Hudson River Region AVA, soil, climate
Small Plantings 64ha
River runs North to South
Vineyards near river on glacial deposits= shale, slate, schist and limestone
climate: continental with warm summers, cold winters
snow needs piling to protect trunks of vines
Hybrids - Seyval Blanc and Vidal planted
Riesling, Chardonnay, Cab Franc planted
Wine Law/Biz
Which Act changed the outlook of wine here?
470 wineries
120 in Finger Lakes AVA
66 Long Island AVA
50 Hudson River Region AVA
1976 New York Farm Winery Act = allowed to sell wines they had made directly to consumer
Most sales through cellar doors,
Wineries now run by 2nd generation, who have worked overseas, greater understanding and diversity
