HADM 4300: Prelim I

Grenache Blanc: Varietal Characteristics

- full bodied, low acid

- asian pear, apple, lime, white peach

- a Chardonnay alternative, popular in blends

Factors that affect wine quality/price

- Grape variety

- Age of vine

- Density of planting

- Yield/acre

- Microclimate

- Vineyard site

- Land and labor cost

Marsanne: Varietal Characteristics

- Pear, apricot, smoke, nuts, mandarin orange

- beeswax, fennel

- some savory

- more texture (medium/medium+ body)

CA Wine Labels (CA, county, AVA, vineyard, estate, vintage)

- "California" → 100% of grapes from CA

- "County" → > 75% of the grapes come from that county

- AVA → > 85% of the grapes come from the AVA

- "Vineyard" → > 95% of the grapes come from the specific vineyard

- "Estate" → 100% of the grapes come from the estate

- Vintage → 85% if CA/county, 95% if AVA

Meritage

Red and white Bordeaux-style wines without infringing on the Bordeaux region's legally protected designation of origin. Winemakers must license the Meritage trademark from its owner, the California-based Meritage Alliance.

Chardonnay: Varietal Characteristics

- "Winemaker's grape" → flavor varies according to where it is grown

- Apple, pear, pineapple, citrus fruit

- Fig, melon, jack fruit, dried mango, egg custard

- Winemaking flavors: toast, vanilla, sweet clove, buttery/creamy, coconuts, tea

- Aged chardonnay: peach, pineapple, sage, honey, caramel

CA: "Produced and bottled by"

75% of the grapes were fermented by the named winery

CA: "Cellared and bottled by," "bottled by," or "vinted by"

0% fermented by the named producer

CA: "Estate"

Named producer grew the grapes, made the wine, aged the wine, bottled the wine, and got the wine to market

Pinot Noir: Varietal Characteristics

- Cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cola, pomegranate, mushrooms, earth, bacon, meat/game, baking spices, and purple and red flowers

- Velvety

- Highly impacted by soil

Zinfandel: Varietal Characteristics

Blackberry, raspberry, jammy, briary, herbaceous, eucalyptus, mint, leather, cedar, dark chocolate, cherries, black pepper, raisins, barbeque

Factors that influence CA grape growing and winemaking today (natural considerations)

- Big vintages producing extra bulk wine

- Growth in acres

- WILDFIRES (a whole season, can affect vintage)

- WATER

What are the geographic factors that influence grape growing and wine production in California? What kind of climate? (geographic, temperature, humidity, ocean, water)

- The mountain ranges, valleys, rivers, and coastal fog all influence grape growing and wine production in California.

- Generally warm to hot, but very variable due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean along the coast and mountain ranges

- Areas located on the interior of the state experience do not experience these fluctuations due to

breezes/fogging

- Altitude influences climate as well

- Mediterranean-type climate:

- Rains fall in the winter but not during the summer growing season

- To supply the water grapevines need, most wineries rely on irrigation

- Droughts can cause vintage variation for California wines

How do microclimates influence wine styles produced in various regions? (parts of microclimate, warm vs. cool)

- Microclimates (mountain ranges, valleys, rivers, and coastal fog)

- Altitude matters

- Soil matters (30 different types) → Mountain vineyards tend to have poor soils, resulting in grapes that are concentrated in color and flavor

- Wines produced in cooler climates have more difficulty ripening and contain less sugars/alcohol and more acidity

- Wines produced in warmer climates have less difficulty ripening and contain less acidity in contrast to normal amounts of sugar/alcohol

What are the most important wine growing regions/AVAs in California?

● Napa Valley - Relatively warm, some areas cooler (one week may reach 100F) Cabernet and

Chardonnay

● Sonoma County - Similar to Napa, has more microclimates, allows Pinot Noir, Zin, and Sauvignon

Blanc to excel

● Mendocino County

● Lake County

● Livermore Valley

● Santa Clara Valley (San Francisco Bay area)

● Santa Cruz Mountains

● Monterey County

● Sierra Foothills

● San Luis Obispo County

● Santa Barbara County

147 AVAs total

NY History: Charles Fournier

- 1934: Charles Fournier comes to Urbana Wine Co. from Champagne

- 1950: Charles Fournier wins gold in CA (wow NY wines!)

NY History: Dr. Konstantin Frank

1953: Dr. Konstantin Frank joins Gold Seal (changes history). Planted the first vitis vinifera vines in the eastern US and starts the "Vinifera Revolution"

NY History: Hermann J. Wiemer

1970s: Hermann J. Wiemer starts a plant nursery, sending plant materials across the country; also brought German varieties

NY Wine Labels (variety, NY, AVA, single vineyard, estate, vintage)

- Varietal (>75%; EXCEPTION: >51% if Labrusca), generic, and proprietary

- State (75% NY)

- AVA (85%)

- Single Vineyard (95%)

- Estate (100%)

- Vintage (85%, 95% if AVA)

Riesling: Varietal Characteristics

- Fruity, apricot, peach, green apples, floral, lemon, tropical lushness.

- Botrytised Rieslings: Honey

- Responds differently to different soils

What are the major vitis vinifera varieties grown in NY?

- white: riesling and chardonnay (upstate)

- red: merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, pinot noir (Long Island)

What are the major vitis labrusca varieties grown in NY?

- native varieties

- known for simple "grapey" or "foxy" taste

EX: Niagara, Delaware, Concord, Catawba

What are the major hybrid varieties grown in NY?

- usually a cross between vinifera and phylloxera-resistant vines

- developed in the 1880s to replace phylloxera-devastated vines

EX: Cayuga

Aravelle grape variety

hybrid grape variety created at Cornell, cross of Cayuga white and riesling

What regions in NY are known for specific wine styles and grape varieties?

- FINGER LAKES: Riesling, sparkling, chardonnay

- LAKE ERIE: concord and niagara, welch's grape juice

- NIAGARA ESCARPMENT: native grapes, hybrids, vitis vinifera

- HUDSON RIVER REGION

- CHAMPLAIN VALLEY

- LONG ISLAND: Merlot and reds are best

What are the geographic factors that influence grape growing and wine production in NY? (water / type of soil)

- Influence of water → temperature control, keeps it cool

- soil → silt loam with some clay in the Finger Lakes; clay/sand in Long Island

NY climate influence

- cold growing conditions can kill vines if temperature drops too dramatically (frost) → white wines do better

- Long Island: warmer/more maritime climate, so it has a longer growing season → red wines do better

What winemaking practices are unique and legal in NY?

- Amelioration (addition of water and sugar to dilute the acidity and boost alcohol content) → common in NYS and cool growing regions

- Chaptalization (addition of sugar)

Most important NY AVAs

- FINGER LAKES:

Finger Lakes AVA, Cayuga Lake AVA, Seneca Lake AVA

- Lake Erie AVA

- Niagara Escarpment AVA

- Hudson River Region AVA

- Champlain Valley of NY AVA

- LONG ISLAND: North fork of Long Island AVA, The Hamptons, LI AVA, Long Island AVA

OR Wine History: key event

1979: The Eyrie Vineyard owned by David Lett beat French Pinot Noirs in Gault-Millau's Wine Olympiad (like the Judgement of Paris but for OR)

OR Wine Labels (variety, OR, OR AVA, cross-state AVA)

- Varietal (75% for what is often blended, 90% for pinot gris, pinot noir, and chardonnay) and proprietary (NO GENERIC)

- State (100% OR)

- OR AVA (95%)

- Cross-state AVA (100%)

Pinot Gris: Varietal Characteristics

mango, melon, apple, pear, honey

OR top 5 wine varietals

1. Pinot noir - 58% (OR SIGNATURE RED)

2. Pinot gris (or grisio) - 14% (OR SIGNATURE WHITE)

3. Chardonnay - 6%

4. Syrah - 4%

5. Cabernet Sauvignon - 3%

DOUBLE PINOT SIGNATURE

Most important OR AVAs (east/west)

EASTERN AVAs (drier):

- Columbia Valley (with WA)

- Walla Walla (with WA)

- Columbia Gorge (with WA)

- Snake River Valley (with ID)

- Rocks District of MIlton-Freewater (in Columbia Valley and Walla-Walla Valley)

WESTERN AVAs

- Willamette Valley (70%) (RAIN SHADOW EFFECT)

- Many new AVAs

Cabernet Franc: Varietal Characteristics

blackcurrant (cassis), dark fruits, violets, vegetal, bell pepper, spicy, raspberries

WA History: First grapes

1825: First grapes planted at Fort Vancouver, WA

WA History: Andre Tscelitcheff

1967: Andre Tscelitcheff hired as consultant and released first Riesling and Gewurztraminer in 1969

WA History: Allen Shoup

1979: Allen Shoup moves from Gallo in CA to WA and heads up Chateau Ste. Michelle (oldest winery in WA)

WA geography and climate (western vs. eastern)

- "ideal climate → rain shadow effect

- Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountain Range (Cascades block cool maritime weather)

- Western Washington is too wet and too cool to grow grapes → wine is made in eastern WA

- Hot, dry days and cool nights, a lot of sunlight

Most important WA AVAs

- Puget Sound AVA (only one in western WA)

- Columbia Valley contains: Yakima Valley AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, etc.

- Lewis and Clark Valley AVA (shared with ID)

WA Wine Labels (variety, WA, AVA, vintage)

- Varietal (75%) and proprietary (NO GENERIC)

- State (95% WA)

- AVA (95%)

- Vintage (85% WA, 95% AVA)

WA: major grape varieties

43% white: chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc

57% red: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah

Syrah: Varietal Characteristics

- also called shiraz

- cherry, black pepper, spice, olives, chocolate, tandoori spice, BBQ pork, Chinese five spice

- Mediterranean grape

Cabernet Sauvignon: Varietal Characteristics

blackcurrant (cassis), dark fruits, tea, herbaceous (green olive), bell pepper, spicy, dried black plumb, Japanese shiso leaves

Merlot: Varietal Characteristics

Dark fruits, plum, tobacco, fruitcake, violets, bell pepper, spicy, tea, herbaceous, persimmons, sweet red bean paste buns

French wine regions

Loire Valley - west

Bordeaux - southwest

Rhone Valley - southeast

Beaujolais - east

Burgundy - east

Alsace - northeast

How did French wines set the scene for other vine-growing regions?

- France set standards for other wine regions globally

- Had more time to market their wines, so consumers recognize French wines

What is INAO and what do they do?

- Institut National des Appellations d'Origine. Created in 1935 to delimit and enforce France's appellation system.

- Today: Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualite (still called INAO)

- monitor both Viticultural and Vinicultural practices in the AOC (Appellation D'Origine Controlee) regions

What does the AOC regulate? (6 total)

- Place of origin (restricted geography)

- Grape varieties (only specific grapes allowed)

- Alcohol content (minimum and maximum; updated with changing climate and grape ripeness)

- Maximum yields (what you can collect from the vine)

- When harvest may begin each year (different from non-Europe with no regulation; quality control)

- Production methods (winemaking, chaptalization, etc)

Trend of AOC in France (equivalents in other countries)

- Starts in France

- DOC in Italy

- DO in Spain

- DOC in Portugal

- similar in Austria and now Germany

Wine laws can help establish authenticity and set certain standards, but they cannot guarantee quality (that is up to the producer)

What do AOC wine laws establish but not guarantee?

Establish authenticity and set standards. Cannot guarantee quality (that is up to the producer)

French wine hierarchy (post-2009)

TOP: AOC (or AOP) (specific area with many rules)

MIDDLE: IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) (geographic indication)

BOTTOM: Vin de France (wine of the table; allowed grape variety and vintage)

Why did the EU change the French wine hierarchy in 2009?

E.U. changed things to make standardized across countries

French Wine Classifications: Vin de France (14%)

- simple, ordinary wines

- no geographic designation

- vintage and wine varietal allowed on the label (some don't have these)

- oak tea bags, chips, powdered tannin, etc. are ok

French Wine Classifications: Vins de Pays/Indication Geographique Protegee (31%)

- country wines produced in large geographic areas

- made from Vinifera and Hybrids

- NO VARIETY RESTRICTIONS

- If varietal is listed, min 85%

- 85% of grapes come from that region

French Wine Classifications: Appellation d'Origine controlee/AOP (55%)

- top quality wines produced in specific controlled places

- a lot of regulations

Terminology about where grapes come from: "Vinis France"

all of France

Terminology about where grapes come from: "IGP"

A section of France

Terminology about where grapes come from: "AOC"

A specific and proven wine region

French Wine Labels (labeled by ______, domaine/chateau, negociant, how to tell variety + exceptions)

- Labeled by place (grape variety per area, variety is not on the label); EXCEPT ALCASE OR VARIETAL IGP WINES

- Domaine/Chateau = Estate

- Negociant → buys grapes or wine from others and bottles it under their name

French wine non-controlled terms

"vielles vignes" = "old vines"

"reserve" = implied higher quality/aged

Estate production statements: "Mis en bouteille a la Propriete"

"put in the bottles at the proprietor"

Estate production statements: "Mis en bouteille au Domaine/Chateau"

"put in the bottles at the estate"

Negociant production statement (raised)

"Eleve et mis en bouteilles par..."

Loire Valley at a glance (how large of a region / white or red? / climate)

- France's 3rd largest producing region

- 61+ AOCs

- Leading producer of white wines

- 2nd AOC region for sparkling wines (after Champagne)

- Northern climate means wines with high acid

AOC districts in the Loire Valley (NASTE)

(west to east): Pays Nantais, Anjou, Saumur, Touraine, East/Upper Loire

Loire Valley labeling laws (wines are named after _____, what does place tell us?, implied percentages of variety)

- Wines are named after the place where grapes are grown (villages)

- Place dictates the grape that can be used

- Grape varieties: 100% for most AOC wines except when noted as a blend

What is the white grape variety of Nantais in the Loire Valley?

Muscadet = Melon de Bourgogne (historical name)

Sur Lie meaning and regulations

- Wine is left "on the lees"; adds yeasty, bready flavor, increases body and complexity

- INAO regulations specify that sur lie aging must have a minimum of 6 months of aging on yeast cells

Muscadet: Varietal Characteristics

Citrus: tart lemon, kaffir lime, green apple, pear, salinity

AOCs in the Upper Loire Valley (Eastern)

- Sancerre → ~80% white, 20% red/rose

- Pouilly-Fume → white wine only

- Reuilly

- Quincy

What are the wines of the Upper Loire (Sancerre/Pouilly-Fume)?

Sauvignon Blanc / Pinot Noir

Styles of chenin blanc (sweetness)

- sec → dry

- demi-sec/tendre → off-dry (slightly sweet)

- moelleux → semi-sweet

- drox (liquoreux) → sweet (like syrup)

What are the wine varieties of the central Loire Valley?

Chenin blanc / cabernet franc

AOC districts in the Central Loire Valley and their important AOCs

- Anjou → Savennieres (a favorite AOC with dry chenin blanc)

- Saumur

- Touraine → Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), Chinon (Cabernet Franc), Bourgueil (Cabernet Franc)

Savenniers AOC

- In Anjou AOC region

- Chenin blanc

- Very small AOC; only 30 producers

- Has two sub-appellations: Rouche-aux-Moines and Coulee-de-Serrant

Vouvray AOC

- In Touraine AOC region

- 28x the amount of wine produced in Savennieres

- Chenin blanc (every style)

Chenin Blanc: Varietal Characteristics

- Fruity, Peach, Melon, apple, citrus, honey, orange, lemon zest, almond

- Late harvest: honey, tropical fruits, apricot, quince, orange and lemon zest

Method for making sparkling wines from the Loire Valley

Made by the "methode traditionnelle" just like Champagne but with local grapes (chenin blanc and cabernet franc)

What kinds of grapes are grown in Alsace?

wide range of white grape varieties (90% white)

What characteristics are typical of Alsace wines?

fresh, fruit-driven, aromatic, non-oaked wines

Alsace: number of AOCs and Grand Cru AOCs

3 general AOCs + 51 Grand Cru AOCs → Alsace, sparkling, Grand Cru

When is the Alsace harvest?

2 prestigious late-harvest categories (residual sugar)

Alcace wine history and importance of location

- adjacent to Germany

- mono-varietal (varietal label, like Germany)

- while under German rule, Alsatian wines were blended with German wines

- today it produces 18% of all AOC white wines in France

Grape varieties of Alsace

- WHITE: riesling, pinot blanc, gewurztraminer...

- RED: pinot noir

fruit-driven, aromatic, non-oaked

Alsace rain

- Rain shadow effect makes Alsace one of the driest regions in France → longer hang time/growing season for grapes

- Less than 20in of rainfall per year

Alsace growing season + affect on yield

- Growing season is 50 days longer than Germany, making aromatic wines

- Approved yields are the highest in France

Alsace AOC Classifications (3 total)

1. Appellation Alsace Controlee - 1962, 72%

2. Appellation Cremant d'Alsace - 1976, 25% (sparkling wines made with local grape varieties)

3. Alsace Grand Cru - 4% of total production (yields restricted, only 51 vineyards granted Grand Cru status; only riesling, pinot gris, muscadet, and gewurztraminer)

Non-controlled label terms in Alsace (4)

- Reserve

- Personnelle

- Cuvee

- Special

Alsace blended wines: Gentil

White blend with minimum 50% riesling, muscat, pinot gris, and/or gewurztraminer (noble grapes)

Alsace blended wines: Edelzwicker

A blend of white grapes of AOC Alsace without any indication of percentage (kitchen sink)

Alsace controlled label terms: "Vendanges Tardives"

late harvest (tardy)

Alsace controlled label terms: "Varietal"

100% of the named grape

Alsace controlled label terms: "Selection de Grains Nobles"

botrytis cinerea affected grapes (mold on the outside of grapes, which dehydrates them); "selection of noble grapes"

Pinot Blanc: Varietal Characteristics

Green apple, peaches, nectarines, white flowers, white pepper

- really good food wine

Muscat/Moscato: Varietal Characteristics

white flowers (plumeria), grape

Gewurztraminer: Varietal Characteristics

- rich flowers, spices, exotic fruits, rose, clove, cinnamon, ginger, peppermint

- Grapefruit, mango, pineapple, pear, honeysuckle

- high alcohol, low acidity; sometimes slightly sweet

3 Methods of making rose

- Maceration → juice sits on the skins (traditional method)

- Bleeding/Saignee → bleed off some of the colored juice to then ferment

- Blending → white + red = pink (like white zinfandel)

Loire Valley red grapes

Cabernet Franc / Pinot Noir

Burgundy saying

It's about the LAND, not the brand (opposite of Bordeaux)