New York/Intro to US

Question 1

History of NY wine?

Answer 1

1957, Dr Konstantin Frank
Founded Vinifera Wine Cellars

Question 2

Climate of Finger Lakes?

Answer 2

Cool continental
Sufficient rainfall

Question 3

Influence of the Finger Lakes?

Answer 3

Cold air drains to the water
Air warms and rises, creating a vacuum
Lake-effect snow insulates vines
Acts as warming influence during autumn
Lakes are extremely deep - rarely freeze

Question 4

Topography of Finger Lake vineyards?

Answer 4

Steep slopes
Fertile soils
Low density planting (Scott Henry)

Question 5

Cold-hardy hybrids found in Finger Lakes?

Answer 5

Concord
Niagara
Cayuga
Vidal

Question 6

Describe Finger Lakes Riesling?

Answer 6

Dry to medium-dry
High acid
Med-/med body
Apple, lemon, peach
Protective winemaking

Question 7

Describe Cabernet Franc in Finger Lakes:

Answer 7

Mid-ripening
Winter hardy
Less new oak use
Med-/Med body
Med-/Med tannin
Red cherry, cranberry, black plum, herbaceous

Question 8

Describe Long Island AVA:

Answer 8

Cool maritime
Long growing season
High humidity
Merlot, Bordeaux varietals, Chardonnay
Sub-AVAs North Fork and Hamptons

Question 9

Describe North Fork:

Answer 9

Slightly warmer
Majority of vineyards
Sandy, infertile soils

Question 10

Describe Hudson River AVA:

Answer 10

Home of first commercial winery (1827) and oldest active winery in US (1839)
Cool continental
Slate/shale/limestone
Spring frost/winter freeze
Seyval Blanc, Vidal, Riesling, Chard, Cab Franc

Question 11

Wine business in NY:

Answer 11

Majority sold in state
New York Farm Winery Act (1976) - limited large wineries (50000gal max)
470 wineries statewide

Question 12

Breakdown of US wine by state?

Answer 12

California - over 80%
Washington - 5%
New York - 4%
Oregon - 1.4%
All others remainder

Question 13

Total wineries in US? Worldwide ranking?

Answer 13

10,000 over 50 states
4th largest producer worldwide

Question 14

Foundation of US wines?

Answer 14

Alexander - found in Pennsylvania, cross of Vitis Lambrusca and Vinifera
Vinifera grapes in Mexico - present day New Mexico, Texas, California

Question 15

AVA’s and Appellations of Origin?

Answer 15

246 AVA’s
140 AVA’s in Cali
Sub-AVA’s common
Appellation of Origin - county/state /country

Question 16

Generic labeling laws in US?

Answer 16

Varietal: 75% if listed; if multiple listed on label, %’s must be listed
Appellation of Origin: 75% from origin
AVA: 85%
Vintage: 85%
Vintage + AVA: 95%

Question 17

US Wine Market conditions:

Answer 17

Largest in world
Highest import value
8th export value
50 largest wine companies are 90%+ of wine sold