USA Sparkling

Question 1

First American sparkling wine

Answer 1

1842 Nicholas Longworth planted Catawba along banks of Ohio River near Cincinnati. by 1860 Ohio was the wine center of the new world and Longworth was largest producer in US. His specialty was sparkling Catawba. After Longworth died his vineyards attacked by powdery mildew and were subsequently abandoned

Question 2

New York “Champagne”

Answer 2

1865, Joseph Masson who had worked for Longworth in Ohio made sparkling Catawba in Hammondsport NY. This led to Great Western Champagne which for 50 years was the most important sparkling wine brand in the US

Question 3

Gold Seal Champagne

Answer 3

Famous Champagne brand of 19th Century (the other being Great Western Champagne). Hired Charles Fournier of Veuve Clicquot who championed first hybrids over labrusca, then vinifera over hybrinds (working with Konstantin Frank)

Question 4

Mission Grape

Answer 4

First Cali sparkling wines made in San Gabriel Valley mid 19th century. Arpad Haraszthy used Mission Grape as well at Buena Vista. After working in Champagne he returned, abandoned Mission for Riesling, Zin, and Muscat and produced Dry Eclipse which was a nationally successful sparkling wine brand.

Question 5

Paul Masson

Answer 5

While Joseph and Jules were making Great Western in New York, Paul Masson (who left Burgundy at 19) started a sparkling wine company called Paul Masson Champagne Company in 1892.

Question 6

Martin Ray and Schramsberg

Answer 6

Purchased Paul Masson and the Mountain Winery post prohibition. Produced wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This led Jack and Jamie Davies to establish the first quality oriented sparkling wine venture to appear after prohibition. Pinots Noir and Blanc, Chard, and traditional method wines only.

Question 7

troubles for new world sparkling wines

Answer 7

World War I and The Depression resulted in America having a substandard wine industry in the 1950s. There were few vineyards and virtually no skilled labor in the vineyards or wineries. This was particularly true for sparkling wines due to the technical prowess required.

Question 8

Domaine Chandon

Answer 8

8 years after Schramsberg

Question 9

1980s proliferation of french-owned sparkling wine houses

Answer 9

Piper Sonoma, Maison Deutz, Roederer Estate, Mumm Napa, Taittinger’s Domain Carneros,

Question 10

Cava Giants in Cali

Answer 10

Freixenet established Gloria Ferrer in 1982. a decade later Codorniu established winer that became Artesa

Question 11

Acidity issues

Answer 11

Pick grapes early and unripe, or pick grapes late and overripe?