From when does modern sparkling wine production date?
1965 - Schramsberg produces BdB from Chardonnay
1970s - Champagne houses establish themselves to make traditional method sparkling e.g. Moët & Chandon founds Domain Chandon in 1973
Where is most sparkling wine production based?
California - >50%
Oregon
Washington State
Which production methods are used to produce sparkling wine?
Traditional method
Tank method
Pet Nat
Describe a typical traditional method sparkling wine
Chardonnay + PN (some PM) Med intensity Ripe apple, lemon, toasty Med (+) acid Usually Brut Good to outstanding Mid - super-premium
Describe a typical tank method sparkling wine
Raspberry, peach
Extra Dry with noticeable RS
Inexpensive - mid priced
Describe the climatic characteristics of the areas in California that grow grapes for sparkling wine
Coastal regions - cool coastal air drawn inland bringing cool breezes and fog –> ripening speed –> flavour, acidity, alcohol
Which grapes are used in California to make sparkling wine?
Chardonnay + Pinot Noir –> most important
Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Savuignon Blanc, Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo
How are grapes grown in warm areas but still appropriate for sparkling wine?
Early harvest - RS may be added to balance underripe flavour
Within California, which areas are important for sparkling wine production?
Mendocino County - Anderson Valley (v. important)
Sonoma County - Russian River Valley, Carneros (v. important)
Sonoma/Napa County - Napa Valley (v. important)
Monterey County - Monterey
San Luis Obispo County - Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande
Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills
San Joaquin County - Lodi
Describe the climate and wines of Anderson Valley (Mendocino County)
- NW of valley is close to Pacific
- Valley channels cool air and fog up the valley –> temp, sunshine hours
- Large diurnals
- Home to Roederer Estate
- Wineries that make still wine may also produce small amounts of sparkling or may sell grapes to other sparkling wine producers
Describe the climate of and name a notable producer in Russian River Valley (Sonoma County)
- Petaluma gap + river –> cool breeze and fog –> temp and sunshine hours
- Korbel
Describe the climate of and name any notable producers in Carneros (Sonoma/Napa County)
San Pablo Bay - cooling
- Gloria Ferre (founded by Freixenet) and Domaine Carneros (Tattinger)
Why is Napa considered an important place for sparkling wine production?
- Most of Napa too warm for grapes to make into sparkling
- Some sparkling wine producers are based in Napa and source grapes from cooler areas e.g. Schramsberg
- May also blend with grapes from cooler spots in Napa
Describe the climate of Monterey (Monterey County)
- Salinas valley draws ocean breezes inland –> average temp, diurnals
- Breeze especially cool due to ocean canyon off the coast
Why are Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande suitable for growing sparkling wine grapes?
Proximity to coast
Why are Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills suitable for growing sparkling wine grapes?
Valleys funnel ocean breeze inland
Why is Lodi considered an important place for sparkling wine production?
Too warm for premium wine - but large vols of tank and flavoured sparkling e.g. Weibel
Describe the climate of Washington State and the styles of wine they produce. Also name the region’s largest producer?
- Northerly latitude + large diurnals –> acidity, low potential ABV, flavours
- Chardonnay, PN, PM blends
- BdB, BdN
- Muller Thurgau, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer
- Mid-priced wines
- Chateau Ste Michelle
Describe the climate of Oregon and the styles of wine they produce. Also name the region’s largest producer?
- Willamette Valley - cool climate –> ripening –> acidity
- PN and Chardonnay
- Argyle is largest specialist producer
- Some wineries may send base wine to specialist to be made into trad method fizz e.g. Radiant Sparkling Wine
Describe key features of sparkling wine production in the US
- Trad method for premium, tank for inexpensive
- Blending to achieve balance e.g. high acid with low acid wines (with riper fruit flavour)
- Extended lees ageing frequent
- BdN is common style - not regulated so may be made from mainly black fruit with some white blended
- Many wineries sell small vols of sparkling via cellar door - scale not sufficient to invest in specialise equipment so wine sent to custom crush pads e.g. Rack and Riddle (Sonoma) or Brut Custom Crush (Napa)
Can US sparkling wine call itself Champagne?
Only for brands established before 2006 and only if accompanied by geographical origin on label e.g. California Champagne
Describe the different types of sparkling wine producer
Specialist sparkling wine producers - often founded by Champagne and Cava houses with national distribution, may export e.g. Roederer Estate
Small batch, premium sparkling - sold via cellar door, DTC, locally e.g. Schramsberg
Large companies producing cheap sparkling as part of larger range - national and int’l distribution e.g. Barefoot, Cupcake
How much sparkling wine is produced and where is it sold?
173m bottles per year - almost entirely in California
Supplies about 45% of sparkling wine demand
Despite sparkling wine demand rising in past 15 years, market share of US has fallen due to Prosecco and other important fizz
