USA WSET DIPLOMA

Question 1

Regulations system in USA?

Answer 1

2 levels:
FEDERAL LAW: AVA ( American Viticultural Areas). Set up to create an appellation system that is still evolving.
You need to apply to TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
AVA guarantee source but not quality or production methods.
Anyone can petition to get an AVA created of any size meaning some AVA cover just one winery.
Requirements:
Vintage Date: 95% of fruit comes from stated vintage
Source of Fruit: 85% of fruit comes from AVA
Varietal Labelling: 75% of fruit must be that stated on label
Estate bottling: 100% of grapes controlled by winery. Winery must be in AVA.

STATE LAW: varies from state to state.
Oregon states a wine must contain 95% of the variety as written on the label and 100% of fruit must be sourced from within the stated AVA.
Washington State requires 85%
California and all other states 75% of the stated variety, AVA and vintage.
New York State allows up to 35% addition of sugar and water ( for climatic reasons).

Question 2

Tell me the most important areas grown grapes in USA

Answer 2

California
Oregon
Washington State
New York State

Question 3

California

Answer 3

Since 1960 has been a proliferation of boutique wineries, and also few enormous wineries (Gallo, Kendal Jackson, Mondavi) that are producing millions of cases a year. The range of the prices is huge.
The most Californian wine is sold as just commercial wines. There are some effort to improve the quality from the side of the big wineries.

Question 4

California Climate

Answer 4

1. 1100 km from north to the south with vineyards along entire length leads to a large range of climates.
2. One factor in common: a lack of rain during the ripening season.
3. Irrigation used to counter lack of rain in the growing season made from drip or sprinkler.
4. University of Davis created a zonal classification for California based on degree days.
5. In this system, regional climates are ranged on a scale of I ( the coolest) to V ( the hottest)
6. Using this system all the potential vineyard have been classified and grape varieties most suited to each zona have been identified.
7. Zones I to III are considered to be the most suitable for the production of premium wines.
8. Increasing wine market in America means California is struggling with demand.

Question 5

The roll of current of the Pacific in California Climate

Answer 5

1. In the Coastal Regions, the currents of the Pacific Ocean have a major role to play in the climate, creating cooling mists and fogs that roll in during the morning and provide not only temperature contrasts but also, much needed humidity.
2. The fog is particularly prevalent during the growing season as the Central Valley land mass warms up and pulls the fog in from the cool Pacific Ocean through any gap in the coastal ranges.
3. This helps the grapes to ripen more slowly, develop fruit intensity, retain acidity and thus add finesse to the wines.
4. In Central Valley, that it is not exposure to the ocean
   , summer temperatures reach 40C, so vineyard are often planted at altitude, as lower down the temperature.

Question 6

Areas inside of California

Answer 6

North Coast Region.  (Napa and Sonoma)
North Central Coast ( Santa Cruz mountains and Monterey and Santa Barbara).
North Central Valley 
Sierra Foothills
Southern California

Question 7

North Coast Region

Answer 7

1. North of San Francisco Bay.
2. Wide range of climates, ranging from warm Mediterranean through to cool where spring frost are a problem.
3. Napa Valley AVA. Expensive vineyard land and prestigious wineries. Morning mist rolls in from the bay, cooling the climate.
4. Carneros AVA. Runs along the bottom of the Napa and Sonoma AVA. There is a significant cooling effect from the ocean; it is Davis Zone I. Specializes in producing premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for making sparkling wine.
5. Sonoma County with Russian River Valley. High growing reputation with cool conditions and is the best known for high quality elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Alexander Valley AVA, has a reputation for soft-textured, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
   Dry Creek Valley AVA is a source of high quality old vine fruit for Zinfandel.
6. Mendocino County includes the very cool Anderson Valley, with a supreme source of grapes for aromatic white wines such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer and sparkling wines.

Question 8

Napa Valley

Answer 8

1. Is inside of California. Inside of North Coast Region.
2. Napa Valley AVA. Expensive vineyard land and prestigious wineries. Morning mist rolls in from the bay, cooling the climate.
3. On its western side, low level of rainfall during the winter, need irrigation during harvest season.
4. On its east, morning fogs roll in from San Pablo Bay, cooling the climate to the south with Davis Zone II.
   On its east north, coolings effects of fogs, to Davis Zone III, with a warm Mediterranean climate.
5. Spring frost may be a problem.
6. The valley is divided into AVA lisk Rutherford, with several high quality vineyard, also Oakville AVA and Yountville AVA.
7. The soils are volcanic, relatively fertile, but free.draining.
   Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape variety, and high quality versions are made with ripe, dark cherry fruit, medium to high alcohol and soft-textured tannins.
8. There also other AVAS in the hills, where there is no moderating effect from the fog, and the Cabernet wines have riper, darker fruit, higher alcohol levels and firmer tannins.

Question 9

Central Coast Region in California

Answer 9

It is divided in 2 areas: North Central Coast and South Central Coast.
2. NORTH CENTRAL COAST is divided in Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, that it is very cool Zone I, with infertile soils. Producing some of the most elegant Cabernet Sauvignons, and excellents Chardonnays and Pinot Noir.
2.1 Also, Monterey County is part of the North Central Coast. In the north part, influence of cold Pacific Oceans. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been heavily planted closer to the coast where the strong winds blow in on a daily basis.
2.2. Here in Salinas Valley AVA, produce a Chardonnay with excellent acidity with crisp citrus and tropical fruit flavorus, ripe fruit stylish Pinot Noir and Merlots with firm tannins anr rich dark berry fruit.
2.3 Inside, or more inland, the winds blow less and Rhone varietals are planted now performing well, including Viognier. Davis move the classification from I to Zone III.
3 SOUTH CENTRAL COAST. Mountains range lies east-west instead north-south facilitating the flow of cool ocean breezes.
3.1 Much recent planting as the regions potential has been recognised.
3.2 Two different areas: Paso Robles AVA in San Luis Obispo County has been expanding with notable plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
Further south in the exposed coastal there is Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez County. Pinot Noir has been the focus. These regions were given a boost by the film Sideways which brought Pinot Noir to the attention of a much wider public.

Question 10

Central Valley in California

Answer 10

1. The 80% of Californian wine is produced here.
2. Quantity is the focus of production in this hot Zones 4 and 5 region.
3. University of Davis develop a new variety called Ruby Cabernet and Rubiret.
4. In Fresno produces grapes on an industrial scale with the mayor international of blending grape varieties. Yields are high facilitating competitively priced California varietal selling in bulk for export.
5. Wine Cooler and brandies also produced to use excess production.
6. Lodi AVa situated at the norther end of the valley produces better wines in a cooler climate.
7. Lodi AVA has become the largest quality production area in California with 40.000 hectares. Lodi is the home of oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards in the state.
8. Many famous labels like Woodbridge are coming from Lodi.
9. In Lodi were pioneered of sustainable viticulture program and improved so much the quality also for sparkling wine.

Question 11

Sierra Foothills in California

Answer 11

Sierra Foothills lie at the foothills of Sierra Nevada Mountains where planted during the Gold Rush.
Hot days and cool nights ensures good fruit concentration.
Old vine Zinfandel and italian varieties as well.

Question 12

Southern California

Answer 12

1. Vineyards between Los Angeles and San Diego.
2. Pressure of urban sprawl and Pierce´s disease.
   Few vineyards now remain.

Question 13

Future Developments in California

Answer 13

1. California is fortunate that it has a its door one of the largest, wealthiest wine markets in the world.
2. Like many other region, it is finding it difficult to match production to demands.
3. It has largely overcome the ravages of Phylloxera through extensive, and expensive replanting and is finding ways to live with the threat of Pierces´s Disease.
4. Disease is also a current problem. Poor research as University of Davis led to planting on rootstock ARX1 not tolerant to Phylloxera, mean half of Napa vineyards needed to be replanted.
5. Pierce´s Disease, carried by sharp shooters, and is incurable and fatal problem in Southern California.
6. Its international reputation as the source of a bewildering diversity of quality varietals and powerful brands is building, but it will need to demonstrate that it has the flexibility to address both:
   - 1. demonstrate that it has the flexibility to address both the needs of a huge and still developing home market, -2. and an unforgiving and competitive world market in which it will seek to prove itself.

Question 14

Oregon

Answer 14

1. Climate influenced by Pacific Ocean and warm North Pacific Drift.
2. Maritime climate.
3. Willamette Valley AVA ( south of Portland) has a cool and wet winter. Most rainfall occurs in growing season. It has a dry and warm summers.
4. Temperatures are moderates due to the influence of the Pacific .
5. Willamette enjoy of the highest amount of daylight hours in Oregon.
6. Mild winters and warm summers.
7. The good sunny conditions encourage the grapes ripes well and healthy, to develop the aromas and the complexity, while retains the natural acidity.
   8The moderate maritime climate is good to develop burgundian grapes like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.
8. High quality wines. Constantly improving the clonal selection.

Question 15

South Oregon

Answer 15

Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley ( south of Willamette) this is the warmest area in Oregon but there are also areas that are cooler within its hillsides that allow to grow grapes from Cabernet to Viognier.

Question 16

Washington State

Answer 16

1. Most of vineyards are planted in the bleak and infertile area of Columbia Valley AVA.
   2 Inside of Columbia Valley AVa it is Yakima and Walla Walla Valley AVA ( it is the warmest area to growing grapes in Oregon.
2. Columbia Valley is semi arid with 200ml per year of rainfall, making irrigation with river water a necessity.
3. Winemaker can take as advantage a long sunlight hours and consistent summer temperatures.
4. The fruit that obtained is optimal ripeness due to the sunny days and cool nights that help maintain the natural levels of acidity and ripe fruit characters.
5. A major problem is the freezes occur with some regularity, killing ofl portion of the vineyards, which then need to be replanted.
6. Phylloxera it is not a problem due to the sandy soil.
7. GRAPES: Chardonnay, Merlot and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon are the most important, although a dark, intensely concentrated Syrah is showing a great deal of promise in Walla Walla. Riesling it is a successfully part of the new grapes
   Extreme continental climate. Severe winters frost threat.
   One major winery group with small independent growers.

Question 17

New York State

Answer 17

1. Third most important state for grape growing ( wine, table, jams).
2. Farm Wineries act 1976 increased vinifera plantisn, a move away from the American varieties that had dominated, but nowadays it is still a 10% of the wine produced.
3. Finger Lakes AVA in the west central area, the deep glacial lakes store heat well into November raising the temperature. Good for aromatic Riesling, Chardonnay Chablis style.
4. The lake Eric AVa it is ok. Wine is also produced along the Hudson Riverand Long Island where the Atlacic Ocean, provide a temperate for cool cliamte grape varieties.
5. Virginia is showing a great promise for elegants reds made from Bordeaux varieties, and crisp perfumed Viogniers.

Question 18

Zinfandel

Answer 18

California own grape, used for blends, varietally and for blush rose.
DNA fingerprint shows that it is like Primitivo or Croatian grape called Crljenak Kastelanski.
Young vineyard can show a rich and full body, red wine.
Tendency to ripe unevenly , so by the time that the whole bunch of grapes it is full some of the grapes are raisin.
The resulting concentrations leads to intense red berry flavours and extreme alcohol levels, sometimes with small amounts of residual sugar.
Large volumes of rosé Zinfandel are also made, referred as White Zinfandel are typically fruity, pale in color low in alcohol and have a medium sweetness.

Question 19

Cabernet Sauvignon in California

Answer 19

The most planting grape in California with 25% of the full amount.
Many produced in the Central Valley. Prime sites from Napa rival Bordeaux for quality.
Soft, juicy blanc cherry with light tannin. Fruit is left until complete phenolic ripeness creating an expressive wine with powerful toasty flavours from American oak.
Premium californian wines: the long hang time of the fruit, which result in an opulent, complex spectrum of ripe flavours in the grapes, although it can lead to unbalanced, high alcohol.
And the second thing is stric selection of grapes, high tech equipment and temperature-controlled barrel cellars, which result in wines that are very well crafted, often with powerful, toasty flavours from new French oak.
Very high quality also in Washington States.

Question 20

Merlot in California

Answer 20

Fashionable, often cheap with soft tannins and little character.
Quality Merlot with blackberry and plum flavours, velvety tannins and high alcohol is found in Monterey and Napa.