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USA Flashcards

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1
Q

American min. fruit location, varietial and vintage requirements?

A

States are self governing and thus can be different. However, the overarching Federal regulations state a min:

*75% of a stated State or County
*85% for AVA

*Variety always remains at 75% (Oregon is 90% for CH & PN)
*Vintage is 85% unless an AVA is stated which increases it to 95%

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2
Q

American labelling term ‘Table Wine / Light Wine’ definition?

A

In lieu of an actual ABV declaration, a wine of 7-14% alcohol by volume may be labelled with one of these terms.

Grandfather Claue: Ex. Philip Togni.

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3
Q

What is the TTB?

A

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Is the Federal authority governing all American alcohol and thus Wine.

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4
Q

American requirements for labelling ‘Estate Botteled’?

A

Must be AVA labelled and the winery must be in that AVA. The winery must own or “control” the vineyard and all production must be carried out on the winery property. If the vineyard is under lease a min. of 3 years is required.

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5
Q

USA’s smallest AVA?

A

Cole Ranch, Mendocino County, CA.

A single vineyard 24ha monopole.

Notably Riesling but CS, Merlot and PN also. The fruit is all sold?

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6
Q

Roederer Estate

AVA & County Location?

2 other producers in this AVA of note?

A

1982, Anderson Valley, Mendocino County.

Goldeneye (Duckhorn, St. Helena) producing Pinot Noir and Sparkling - what the AVA is best associated with.

Edmeades
Piorneering producer. 60–106-year-old Zinfandel vines. Use a little bit of Petite Syrah for structure as well.

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7
Q

What AVA is shared between both Sonoma and Medocino County?

Producer of note?

A

Pine Mountain–Cloverdale Peak AVA (2011)

Captûre Wines founded by former Chateau Latour cellar master Denis Malbec in 2008-2012, Sold to Jackson Family. Died in a car crash 2016.

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8
Q

What is the only non-contiguous AVA in the US?

County?

What defines its boundaries?

A

Mendocino Ridge AVA, Mendocino County.

Its 100 acres are defined by its elevation requirements of a min. of 1,200ft.

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9
Q

What is the Historical homeland AVA of Mendocino County?

What varieties is it known for?

A

Redwood Valley AVA, Medocino County.

Old heritage vines of Zinfadel, Carignane and Petite Sirah.

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10
Q

Which County did Kendall Jackson originate from?

when?

A

Lake County, CA.
1974 - pre AVA’s; in what is most likely today Clear Lake AVA. Named after the largest natural fresh water lake in CA.

Largest & most important AVA in the County with 5 sub AVA nested within.

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11
Q

Name a Monopole AVA from Lake County?

Producer?

A

Guenoc Valley AVA - right in the south of the county near the border with Napa. High elevation and Volcanic soil.

1 of 2 AVA NOT within Clear Lake AVA.

Langtry Estate.`Tephra Ridge’ CS most famous wine.

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12
Q

Where and when was Sonoma Countys first vineyards planted?

A

1812 in what is today Fort Ross-Seaview AVA by Russian fishermen.

Napa was planted in 1838 by George C Yountville in what is now Yountville.

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13
Q

Newest AVA in Sonoma County?

A

West Coast Sonoma AVA

Est. 2022 to formally recognize the maritime, cold‑climate zone along the Pacific—far cooler and foggier than inland Sonoma Coast areas.
Nested:
Annapolis (not an AVA)
Fort Ross–Seaview AVA
Freestone–Occidental (potential future AVA?)

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14
Q

Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma County

2 Jackson family Estates

1 Foley estate?

1 ‘BDX’ inspired producer?

1 Ridge Bottling

A

Verite - vineyards here + elsewhere
Stonestreet

Ch. St Jean: ‘Select Late Harvest (Botrytis) Johannisberg’ Riesling around 8-9% up until 1989?

Jordan - 1 CS bottling 13.8%abv

Geyserville: 120-year-old vines Zin predom field blend.

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15
Q

Warmest AVA in Sonoma County

1 producer of note and 6 wines?

A

Knights Valley

Peter Michael. 610m elevation - higher than most. Vineyards in Fort Ross-Seaview and Oakville also but top wines all Knights Valley.

Belle Cote: Chardonnay
Mon Plaisir: Chardonnay ‘my pleasure’
La Carrière: Chardonnay

L`Apres Midi: ‘The Afternoon’. Pred. Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon.

Le Pavots ‘The Poppies’

Au Paradis: Cabernet Blend – exclusively Oakville AVA.

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16
Q

Name an AVA nested within Dry Creek Valley AVA?

A

Rockpile AVA. Part is nested within.

Dry Creek Valley’s North western border also marks the the border of the Northen Sonoma AVA making Rockpile AVA partly in this greater AVA also.

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17
Q

What is the HVS?

Name a relevant AVA associated with it?

A

Historic Vineyard Society (HVS)

Preservation of California’s historic vineyards.

Dry Creek Valley AVA and Russian River Valley AVA have a lot.

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18
Q

Name 2 AVA nested within Russian River Valley AVA?

2 towns of note

A

Healdsburg
Chalk Hill AVA

Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA
Sebastopol

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19
Q

First California Pinot Noir to retail over $100?

Another notable Pinot Noir?

Majority owner?

A

William Selyem 1991 Summa Vineyard

Westside Road Neighbours: blend of Russian River valley AVA Vineyards

Faiveley (2024)

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20
Q

What are J Vineyards best known for?

notable wines?

A

Sparkling wines. Russian River Valley.

Cuvee 20 & Cuvee Sonoma

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21
Q

What are Littorai’s 2 estate vineyards?

First Pinot Noir?

A

‘The Coasts’, winery in Sebastopal

Haven (2000) & Pivot (‘03) both Sonoma Coast AVA on Gold Ridge soils.

1993 One Acre Vineyard (Anderson Valley): The longest standing by-the-acre contract in California.

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22
Q

What are Gold Ridge soils?

Name 2 AVA’s commonly associated with them?

A

Fine grained sandy loam prized for Pinot Noir.

Russian River Valley AVA
Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA

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23
Q

Name the 4 AVA nested within Sonoma Valley AVA?

2 vineyards of note?

A

Bennett Valley AVA
Sonoma Mountain AVA
Moon Mountain AVA - Ambassador & Monte Rosso (Louis M. Martini)
Los Carneros AVA

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24
Q

Name 2 producers located within Sonoma County known for sparkling wine production?

1 top wine of note?

Study These Flashcards
A

J Vineyards - Cuvve 20

Iron Horse

25
Whose acredited with the first planting of Napa Valley?
George C Yount (the namesake of Yountville) as early as 1836. Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma County plantings in 1812 predate this.
26
2 Phylloxera outbreaks in Napa Valley? Rootstock of note? 2 Producers with pre phylloxera plantings?
1890 & again between the 1960's-80's AxR1 - after 20 or so years phylloxera adapted to overcome it. Grgich Hills Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon: 10.11ha Cabernet Sauvignon pre-phylloxera plot planted 1959 – 2nd oldest in Napa Valley Scarecrow Western Rutherford Bench: Renamed J.J Cohn Ranch in his honour (Wizard of Oz). Cabernet Sauvignon on their own rootstocks (St. George rootstock) dating back to 1945 (so pre 2nd coming of phylloxera). Francis Ford Coppola now owns majority share of the original vineyard.
27
What is the California Sprawl?
A low‑input, wide, umbrella‑shaped trellising system historically used in warm, high‑vigor California vineyards. It allows shoots to “sprawl” outward and downward rather than being vertically positioned.
28
Where is Lake Berryessa?
Vaca Mountain Range, North Coast AVA, California
29
Name a Demeter certified Napa Valley Estate? 1st & 2nd wine?
fmr. Araujo Estate 'Eisele Vineyard' (1991) Historically famous for providing fruit for Ridge, Conn Creek & Joseph Phelps. Purchased in 2013, renamed ‘Eisele Vineyard Estate’ in 2016. Demeter Certified Biodynamic. 15ha. East Calistoga planted on the alluvial fan at the base of the Palisades. West facing, very rocky and well-draining so yields aren’t a problem. Altagracia (1999) younger Eisele fruit + purchased St. Helena and Oakville grapes.
30
Although historically located in Diamond Mountain District what AVA are J. Schramsberg Sparkling Wines labelled under? Top wines?
North Coast AVA Countys: Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Marin, Solano J. Schram Blanc & J. Schram Noir
31
First Napa Wine to retail over 100$? 3 other vineyards?
1978 Diamond Creek Vineyards Lake Vineyard Diamond Mt. District, 1972. 4 single vineyards: * Rock Terrace * Volcanic Hill * Gravelly Meadow * Lake Vineyard 0.75-acre plot of gravel and sand in the coldest part of the estate.
32
Napa's newest AVA? 1 Producer?
Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA (est. 2024) Western face of the Vaca Range, Below Howell Mountain and above St. Helena at 400–1,400 ft elevations with 100% volcanic soils. No Valley floor. Burgess Cellars - advocate of the AVA
33
Which AVA in Napa has the highest min. elevation requirements? 1 Producer and wine of note?
Howell Mountain AVA 1,400-2,600 ft. Dunn Vineyards Top wine: Howell Mt. Cabernet Sauvignon (100%). Known for his ageworthy tannic style of 100% whole bunch and 30m in oak. Openly uses reverse osmosis to keep abv low.
34
Which producer has trademarked 'Pritchard Hill'?
Chappellet Inaugural 1968 by Philip Togni (untill '73). Cathy Corison from the 80's.
35
Continuum Estate first vintage? 2nd wine?
2005, up to 100% To Kalon Fruit. Only from 2012 onwards was 100% Sage Mountain Vineyard fruit from Pritchard Hill used. Novicium (2010).
36
Oldest commercial winery in Napa Valley? California's longest continuously operating winery?
Charles Krug Winery, St. Helena. 1861. Robert left in 1965. Beringer, St.Helena. 1876. Held a federal license for religious purposes during prohibition (now owned by Treasury).
37
Only Napa winery to have both a red and white wine represented in the 76’ judgement of Paris? What AVA are they based in? Top 2 wines today?
Freemark Abbey, St. Helena. 1886 – 20-year closure over prohibition (now owned by Jackson Family). Rutherford Bench: * Bosché Cabernet * Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet.
38
Which Napa white wine won the 1976 Tasting?
1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (Inqugural 1972). Original fruit came from Sonoma and Napa. Fruit today comes from Oak Knoll AVA. Name is a contraction of ‘Mount St. Helena’
39
Duckhorn's most inconic vineyard and location?
Three Palms Vineyard, Calistoga AVA. East side of the valley floor. Winery in St. Helena. Known for their Merlot which is a blend of 7 sites. Three Palms is the most iconic - and is also botteled indivudally.
40
Abreu top 2 vineyards?
1980 founded by viticulturist David Abreu who’s consulted for Harlan, Screaming Eagle, Araujo, Colgin etc. All 100% Cabernet Sauvignon: Madrona Ranch (St.Helena, Benchlands): First vineyard and thus the quintessential. Bottled St. Helena AVA. Thorevilos: Eastern slopes above St. Helena AVA, mid‑mountain zone below Howell Mountain AVA and thus not part of any sub‑AVA making it the most cultish and iconic. ‘The place in between, that matters’.
41
Joseph Phelps Top 2 wines?
Insignia (1974): Cabernet-dominant blend, a barrel selection of top estate vineyard wines. Notably: Rutherford & Stags Leap. Backus Vineyard Cabernet (1977, Oakville AVA): Parallel flagship wine. Both ripe, polished wines & typically undergo two years of aging in 100% new French oak.
42
Corison top wine?
Kronos Vineyard (1996): 100% CS St. Helena AVA
43
Name 2 Napa County estates that remained active over the the Volstead Act peroid (1920-1933)?
Federal licence to produce sacramental wine to churches. Beringer, St. Helena 1876, California's longest continuously operating winery. In 2004, Beringer entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for largest bottle of wine. A 130 litre (173 bottles) bottle of the 2001 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Maximus’. Currently owned by Treasury. Beaulieu Vineyard, Rutherford ‘Beautiful place’. Founded in 1900 by Georges de Latour who migrated from Bordeaux. [2 B's]
44
California possible smoke taint due to wildfire vintages? (4)
2017 Possible smoke taint 2020 2 wildfires and covid restrictions. Opus One & Continuum not produced. Meadow Woods burns down. 2024 & 2025 California wildfires - influences yet to be seen?
45
Highest vineyard in Napa County? AVA?
Harris Blue Ridge Vineyard @ 2,742 ft (835m) plnated to Zinfandel. Atlas Peak AVA.
46
Beaulieu Vineyard top wine?
Georges de Latour Private Reserve (1936) CS from BV Ranches #1 and #2 both located on the Rutherford Bench. Open top ferment, 100% New Oak for 2 years and bottle 1 before release.
47
Inglenook Top Red? Top White?
Inglenook Rubicon (1978): 100% CS. Rutherford Bench fruit. Blancaneaux (1999): Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier.
48
Schrader top wines?
Old Sparky: Beckstoffer To Kalon CS, Oakville AVA.
49
Who was the first wine maker at Screaming Eagle? Her project now?
Heidi Barret. Amuse-Bouche (2002). Pomerol inspired Merlot, Cabernet Franc blend from vineyards in the Eastern Rutherford Hills.
50
Location and size of 'To Kalon'? Owners in order of holdings and labelling laws?
Oakville's 'To Kalon' is on the West side of the AVA, East facing, well drained deep alluvial gravelly soils that washed down from the Mayacamas Historical boundaries are still debated (359 acres - 1,000 acres). Commonly approx. size is 450 acres of which up to 350 acres are planted.. Mondavi (Constellation) majority owner (65-70% or 2/3rds) - may label Beckstoffer To Kalon - own & sold fruit may label w/ Beckstoffer Detert - may but choose not to MacDonald (sells much higher than Detert) - may but choose not to UC Davis also owns parcels - cannot label, neither can the smaller holders.
51
Where is 'Vine Hill Ranch'?
Reputable Oakville AVA Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard here on the bottom SW corner on the border. A lot of fruit is sold and the name is seen to appear on labels: Bond Vecina.
52
Screaming Eagle first vintage? 2nd wine? White wine?
1992 debut vintage. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. East side of Oakville in a bowl of red volcanic soils 21ha. 2nd wine ‘Second Flight’ (2012) now ‘Flight’ (2015) pred. Merlot, CF and then CS. Sauvignon Blanc (2010)
53
Harlan Estate first vintage? 2nd wine? First Bond bottling? 2nd Bond wine? Promontory first vintage? Cross estate wine?
1990 (Released '96). Benchlands. The Maiden 1995 Melbury (1999) named after Chelsea house. North of Lake Hennessy, true Mountain vineyard. The Matriarch: a blend of the 5 Bond sites. 2013. Mountain vineyards. Ther Mascot: Younger vines from Harlan, Bond & Promontory
54
Mondavi top Napa wine? 2nd wine?
Fmr. Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1971 1979 First Release with Mouton-Rothschild as ‘Napa Medoc’ and then as Opus One in 1981. Not produced in 2020 due to fires. Overture – 2nd wine released in 1993 as multi-vintage blend. 2021 first vintage dated release.
55
What was Napa's first single vineyard designate wine? Another wine of note?
1966 Heitz Cellars Marthas Vineyard, Oakville AVA. Bella Oaks Vineyard, Rutherford AVA. 1976-2007. Now bottled under its own label 'Bella Oaks'.
56
Dominus First vinatge? Vineyard and location? 2nd and 3rd wines?
1983. 100% Napanook vineyard - purchased from the Inglenook familys holdings of the much greater Hopper ranch. excl Yountville AVA but choose to bottle as Napa. Napanook (1996) & Othello
57
Name 2 other notable vineyards from the same AVA Dominus is located in and bottle as such?
Grgich’s Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon (1959) 2nd oldest in Napa. Kapcsándy 'State Lane Vineyard’ [Interestingly is Oak Knoll but bottle Yountville.. Originally Beringer holdings] Hungarian descent. Make Furmint also.
58
What Napa red won the J.o.P tasting of 1976? 2 other notable wines? Archnemesis
1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 'SLV' (inaugural 1972). Cask 23 (1974) is a barrel selection of both SLV and Fay (1990). Stags’ Leap Winery - note the apostrophe. Interestingly after fighting each other they unsuccessfully team up to fight the creation of the ‘Stags Leap District AVA’ loosing in 1989.
59
Shafer Top wine first vintage? 2 other wines of note?
Shafer Hillside Select 1983 as "Reserve," and renamed the following year. avg. 15.5% ages for 32 months in 100% new French oak. Bottled as SLD AVA. One Point Five: Cabernet-dominated blend. Inaugural vintage 2004 Red Shoulder Ranch (Carneros): Chardonnay
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