USA

Question 1

What styles are made in the USA

Answer 1

• Traditional (premium)
• Tank, pet nat (inexpensive)

Question 2

What varietals are grown

Answer 2

• Chardonnay/Pinot Noir for traditional method wines
• Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo for tank wines mainly.

Question 3

What are the three most important areas in California for sparkling wines?

Answer 3

• Anderson Valley (Mendocino)
• Russian River Valley (Sonoma)
• Carneros (Sonoma/Napa)

Question 4

What makes growing grapes for sparkling wines possible in California?

Answer 4

The coastal regions are cooled by cool air/fog drawn to areas close to the coast from the Pacific Ocean

Question 5

Describe Traditional Method US sparkling wine made with PN and Chardonnay

Answer 5

• Medium Intensity
• Ripe Apple and Lemon with toasty Autolytic Notes
• Sweetness: Brut style mostly
• Acid: Med +
• Alcohol: Med
• Quality: Good-Outstanding
• Price: Mid-priced to Super Premium

Question 6

Describe the Anderson Valley (Mendocino County) CA

Answer 6

• Close to Pacific Coast
• Cool ocean breezes and fog are conveyed up the valley along Navarro River Valley to moderate temperatures and reduce sunshine hours
• Wide diurnal temperature ranges are common which maintains acidity in fruit
• Home to Roederer Estate
• Many wineries from outside Anderson Valley buy grapes from Anderson for their sparkling wine

Question 7

Describe Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) CA

Answer 7

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• Cool breezes and fog are conveyed into the valley via the river and Petaluma Gap in the coastal mountain range
• Home to Korbel

Question 8

Describe Carneros (Napa/Sonoma Counties) CA

Answer 8

• Not on the coast BUT gets significant cooling influence from San Pablo Bay
• Home to Gloria Ferrar (owned by Cava house Freixenet)
• Home to Domaine Carneros (owned my Taittinger)

Question 9

Describe Washington state

Answer 9

• Second largest sparkling wine producer in USA after CA
• Home to Chateau St. Michelle–largest SW producer in WA
• Northerly latitude and high diurnal range give fruit high acidity suitable for Sparkling wine
• Blends: Chardonnay, PN and Meunier
• Styles: BdB & BdN
• Single Vareital: Müller Thurgau, Riesling, Gewurstraminer