WINES OF THE WORLD 🇺🇸 USA - New York

Question 1

New York Farm Winery Act of 1976

Answer 1

Law that allows grape growers in New York to establish wineries and sell directly to the public, subject to a maximum of 190,000 L annually.

Question 2

Types of businesses that operate in New York

Answer 2

Traditionally large wineries for inexpensive wines. Boost of wineries after the state’s Farm Winery Act in 1976 (2/3 of actual wineries). Wineries are mainly in Finger Lakes, then Long Island and Hudson River Region.

Question 3

Main AVAs in New York

Answer 3

• Finger Lakes AVA
• Hudson River Region AVA
• Long Island AVA

Question 4

Climate of New York

Answer 4

Generally cool, but very different climatic influences.

Question 5

Climate of Finger Lakes

Answer 5

One of the coldest AVAs in the USA. Continental, sufficient rainfall. Many influences from the lakes.

Question 6

Which influences have the lakes on the climate in Finger Lakes

Answer 6

• The topography enables cold air to drain towards the water, then the air warms and rises creating a vacuum that draws more cold air off the land.
• Lakes can generate snow that can insulate vines during winter.
• Warm influence in the autumn giving a longer ripening period and reducing the risk of autumn frosts.
• Cool air in spring delays budburst reducing damage from spring frost.

Question 7

Main grape varieties of Finger Lakes AVA

Answer 7

In the past, only cold-hardy hybrids such as Concord, Niagara, Cayuga and Vidal until the arrive of Dr Konstantin Frank in 1951 with Riesling and Cabernet Franc. Others are Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Gris. Also significant proportion of hybrids and American vine species (inexpensive wines), such as Traminette and Vignoles. Vidal for ice wine.

Question 8

Where vineyards are located within Finger Lakes AVA

Answer 8

Most vineyards around Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga lakes, on steeper slopes, fertile soils.

Question 9

Main training systems in Finger Lakes

Answer 9

Low densities of large vines. Scott Henry training system to allow air circulation and light penetration.

Question 10

Key viticulture operations for vines in Finger Lakes

Answer 10

Protection of the vines from winter freeze by hilling up the soil to cover the graft union.

Question 11

Key winemaking operations for Riesling wines in Finger Lakes

Answer 11

Protective techniques, cool temperature in stainless steel. Some apply skin contact.

Question 12

Key winemaking operations for Chardonnay wines in Finger Lakes

Answer 12

Oak fermentation and ageing.

Question 13

Key winemaking operations for Cabernet Franc wines in Finger Lakes

Answer 13

Less new oak than in past (French or Hungarian), some without oak ageing.

Question 14

New York’s largest wine-producing region

Answer 14

Finger Lakes

Question 15

Climate of Long Island

Answer 15

Maritime.

Question 16

Hazards in Long Island

Answer 16

Fungal diseases due to humidity. Therefore spraying, leaf removal and grape sorting are needed.

Question 17

Main grape varieties of Long Island

Answer 17

Bordeaux varieties (Merlot especially), Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 18

Key winemaking operations for white wines in Long Island AVA

Answer 18

Whites at cool temperature in stainless steel. Chardonnay can be fermented and/or matured in oak.

Question 19

Key maturation practices for red wines in Long Island AVA

Answer 19

Mainly French oak, also Hungarian and American, for reds. Possibility of new oak.

Question 20

Sub-AVAs of Long Island AVA

Answer 20

• North Fork AVA
• Hamptons AVA

Question 21

North Fork AVA

Answer 21

Sub-AVA of Long Island AVA. Slightly warmer, sandy soil, free-draining and low fertility.

Question 22

Hamptons AVA

Answer 22

Sub-AVA of Long Island AVA. Silt loam soils, free-draining and low fertility.

Question 23

Type of soils in Long Island

Answer 23

Free-draining and poor. North Fork has sandy soil, while Hamptons has silt loam soils.

Question 24

Types of wines made in Long Island AVA

Answer 24

Large range of wines, also rosé, sparkling and sweet.

Question 25

Climate of the Hudson River Region

Answer 25

Continental.

Question 26

Hazards in the Hudson River Region

Answer 26

Spring frost and winter freeze.

Question 27

Type of soils in the Hudson River Region

Answer 27

Glacial deposits of shale, slate, schist and limestone.

Question 28

Main grape varieties of the Hudson River Region

Answer 28

Hybrids such as Seyval Blanc and Vidal and cool-climate v. Vinifera such as Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.

Question 29

Key viticulture operations for vines in the Hudson River Region

Answer 29

Piling soils around the trunks of the vines during winter.