USA Sparkling

Question 1

Introduction of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 1

• The first sparkling wines in the USA were produced in the mid 19th century, but it was another hundred years before his movement finally took off.
• Both local producers and an invasion of European investors from Champagne and Cava guided the evolution of California’s sparkling wine production. Much of premium USA sparkling wine is still firmly rooted in the Champagne style.
• Washington State and Oregon also use Traditional Method for their best wines and also use popular local grapes as Riesling.

Question 2

Location of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 2

1) California: Carneros AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Anderson Valley AVA
2) Washington State: Columbia Valley AVA
3) Oregon: Willamette Valley AVA

Question 3

Climate of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 3

1) California: warm Mediterranean. Sparkling wine grapes grown in the coolest areas where sea breezes or fog lowers the temperature.
2) Washington state: dry, but long sunlight hours and a large diurnal range aid the growing of high quality grapes.
3) Oregon : moderate maritime climate. Sunny dry summers benefiting from breezes from the Pacific Ocean and a large diurnal temperature range.

Question 4

Vineyard of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 4

• Usually picked a week or two before still wine grapes to maintain high acidity.
• As ever the premium sites will be cool and supply ripe grapes with the required low sugar/high acid balance.

Question 5

Grape varieties of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 5

1) California: predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
2) Washington State: predominantly Chardonnay, with some Riesling and Pinot Noir.
3) Oregon: predominantly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but also Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Muller-Thurgau.

Question 6

Winemaking of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 6

• The highest quality sparkling wines by traditional method. No minimum ageing requirement on lees but many producers will age their wines at least 12 months, with much longer ageing often used for premium cuvées.
• High volume, inexpensive wines typically made by tank method or carbonation.

Question 7

Styles of USA sparkling wine.

Answer 7

• Brut is the most popular style in terms of sweetness.
• Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé wines are frequently seen.
• If a vintage is stated on the label, 95% of the grapes must come from that year.
• If an AVA is stated on the label, 85% of the grapes must come from that origin.