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54 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Describe wine laws in the United States.
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Divided into Federal and State laws.
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What are AVAs?
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American Viticultural Areas. Guarantee of source but not related to quality or production.
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What are the labeling requirements in the US?
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If AVA is stated, 85% of wine must be from grapes grown in that area?
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What do state regulations dictate?
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Can make exceptions to labeling requirements.
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Give examples of exceptions to Federal Laws that state laws can give.
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OR wines need to be 95% of particular varietals; WA 85%; and CA 75%. Also NY allows producers to add 35% sugar and water, when 25% is usually the law.
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What is the climate like in California?
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Lack of rain during ripening season. Currents of Pacific Ocean create cooling mists and fogs.
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What are the major white varieties of California?
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Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
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What are the major red varieties of California?
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Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
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Describe Zinfandel in CA.
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Derived from Primativo in Italy. Ripens unevenly - some grapes may have started to raisin before entire bunch ripens. Strong concentration with red berry flavors, high alcohol levels, often with small amounts of residual sugar.
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Describe Cabernet Sauvignon in CA.
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Many are simple, soft juicy with light tannin and little fruit (Central Valley). Prime areas produce high quality Cabernets. Complex fruit flavors, plus flavors from new French oak. Best employ high-cost winemaking techniques.
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Describe Merlot in CA.
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Better Merlots from cooler sites (Monterey and Napa). Soft, velvety tannins, full body, high alcohol and flavors of blackberry and plum.
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Describe Pinot Noir in CA.
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Best from cooler regions. Wide range of styles. Some light in color with gamey, vegetal notes. Most have rich ripe red fruit.
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Describe Chardonnay in CA.
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Classic CA Chardonnay is very full bodied, high in alcohol, low in acidity with obvious oak flavors with some peach and banana fruit. Cooler region Chardonnays (Carneros and Russian River Valley) are more restrained.
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Describe Sauvignon Blanc in CA.
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Fermentation and/or aging in oak. Full-bodied, spicy, with a little green pepper. May be sold as Fume Blanc.
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What are the main AVAs in CA?
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North Coast, North Central Coast, South Central Coast, Central Valley, Sierra Foothills, Southern California
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What are the most important AVAs of the North Coast region?
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Napa Valley AVA, Carneros AVA, Sonoma County, Mendocino County
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Describe Napa Valley AVA.
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Expensive land. Morning mist makes climate milder to south. Further up valley, soils are volcanic and the climate is almost Mediterranean.
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Describe Carneros AVA.
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Shared by Napa and Sonoma County. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, mostly for sparkling wine.
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Describe Sonoma County.
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Cooler and closer to the coast. Russian River Valley for Pinot Noir and Dry Creek Valley for Zinfandel.
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Describe Mendocino County.
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Includes Anderson Valley - cool climate. Aromatic whites of Riesling and Gewurztraminer and sparkling wines.
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What are the main AVAs in the North Central Coast?
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Monterey County and Santa Cruz Mountains
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Describe Monterey County.
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Cool, dry climate. Chardonnay with high acidity and crisp citrus flavors. Merlot with grippy tannins and rich dark berry fruit.
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Describe Santa Cruz Mountains AVA.
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Cool hillside locations. Infertile soils. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.
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What are the main AVAs in the South Central Coast?
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Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County (Paso Robles - Zinfandel)
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Describe the Central Valley CA.
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80% of CA wine production. Mostly hot climate. Ruby Cabernet and Emerald Riesling as new varieties. Home of Lodi AVA (cooler climate, better wines).
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Describe the Sierra Foothills AVA.
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Hot days and cool nights. Good fruit concentration. Old vine Zinfandels and Italian varieties.
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Describe Southern California.
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Vineyards between LA and San Diego. Urban sprawl and Pierce's Disease.
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What is the future for CA market?
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Difficult to match production to demand. Combating threat of Pierce's disease and has needed to fight phylloxera. Need to be flexible to compete in world market as well as meet needs of US market.
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What is the climate of WA and OR?
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Mostly maritime climate. Influence of warming currents of Pacific. Some of WA is continental.
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What are the main AVAs of OR?
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Willamette Valley and Southern OR
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What are the subappellations of Willamette Valley?
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Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinville, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton District, and Chehalem Mountains.
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What are the subappellations of Southern OR AVA?
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Umpqua River, Rouge Valley, Red Hills Douglas County, Applegate Valley
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Describe the Willamette Valley.
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Mild, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Most rainfall in winter. Maritime climate. Grows predominately Pinot Noir. Grapes can develop flavor, complexity, and still have natural acidity.
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Describe Southern OR AVA.
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Warmest growing conditions in OR, with some cooler areas in hillsides and valleys (cool and warm climate grapes can grow). Mountains block marine influence - rain shadow effect; climate generally warm and sunny.
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What are the main AVAs of WA?
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Puget Sound, Columbia River, Walla Walla
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Describe Walla Walla AVA.
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Shared by WA and OR. Warmer wine growing region.
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Describe Puget Sound.
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Cool and damp. Most planted in infertile valleys.
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Describe Columbia River.
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Semi-arid. Long sunlight hours and consistent summer temperatures - natural acidity and ripe fruit. Phylloxera not problem because of sandy soil.
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What grapes grow well in Washington?
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Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
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What is the climate of NY?
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Continental.
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What are the main AVAs of NY?
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Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, Hudson River Region, Long Island
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Describe Finger Lakes.
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Glacial lakes that store heat. Riesling and lean, Chablis-like Chardonnays.
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What grapes are grown in NY?
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Vitis Vinifera is less than 10% - mostly French hybrids or American varietals. Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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What is the VQA?
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Canadian equivalent to AOC. Labrusca wines do not qualify.
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What is the climate in Canada?
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Continental climate with warm, short growing season.
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What are the main provinces in Canada for wine production?
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Ontario and British Columbia
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What are the main regions of Ontario?
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Niagara Peninsular, Lake Erie North Shore, Pelee Island
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What are the main regions of British Columbia?
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Okanagan Valley
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What are the main grapes of Ontario?
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Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
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Describe Niagara Peninsular.
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Mild weather because of Lake Ontario. Sand or gravel over clay loam. Ice-Wine is specialty.
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Describe Lake Erie North Shore.
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Most sunshine hours in Canada. Lake Erie influences climate.
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Describe Pelee Island.
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Most southerly location in Canada. Longer growing season. Canada's oldest wine region.
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Describe Okanagan Valley.
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Vinifera grapes on sandy loam or alluvial gravel soils. Rain shadow between two mountain ranges. Low average rainfall, semi-dessert. Continental with very hot summers. Days are extremely long during growing season. Can have extreme winter temperatures. Lakes help to moderate temperatures.
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What grapes are grown in Okanagan Valley?
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Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer. Some Pinot Noir and Cabernet blends in warmer south of region.
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