Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTRODUCTION
This module will introduce you to the primary wine regions around the world.
The Methode Champenoise, or Champagne method, involves a secondary fermentation that takes place in the bottle. This method is used throughout the world to make fine sparkling wines. Only sparkling wines made in the Champagne region of France can legally be called Champagne; all others are simply sparkling wine.
Dry white wines from Viognier and dry red wines from Syrah are made in the Northern Rhone. Dry white wines from Marssanne and Rousanne, dry ross from Grenache blends, and dry reds from Grenache blends are made in the Southern Rhone.
Look for Viogniers from Condrieu, Syrahs from Cte Rotie and Hermitage, and Grenache blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
There has been an important recent move to emphasize the best dry wines from the great vineyards.
REVIEW
You should now have a good introduction to: The primary international wine regions around the world
OVERVIEW OF CALIFORNIA
INTRODUCTION
This overview of California will give you a brief introduction to the winemaking history and frequently asked questions for California in general and Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast.
MODULE OBJECTIVES
In this module you will learn: What an AVA or appellation is and the appropriate grape content in each An overview of the geography for Napa, Sonoma and Central Coast Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the wine industry in these regions
CALIFORNIA FACTS
1841 Californias first winery-(in Sonoma, General VallejoLachryma Montis Tears of the Mountain) California statehood Beringer Vineyards established
1850 1876
192033 Prohibition Winemaking stopped. (Beringer made wine for the churches during Prohibition)
South: Carneros, Napa, Yountville are Cool (like Coonawarra, North Okanagon, Northern Burgundy). Commonly planted varieties include; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah.
North: St. Helena, Howell Mtn, Spring Mtn are Warm (like Barossa Valley , Southern Rhone and Bordeaux). Commonly planted varieties include; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.
SONOMA GEOGRAPHY
Sonoma County is 58 miles (93 KM) long and 24 miles (38 KM) wide (double Napa's size) Sonoma Mountains west and Mayacamas Mountains east Sonoma has 14 AVAs South and West are cool which includes Carneros, Sonoma Coast, Russian River, (like Burgundy and Eden Valley) North and East are warm which includes Sonoma Valley, Knights Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek (like Hunter Valley, Bordeaux and Tuscany)
SONOMA FACTS
Sonoma: Indian for earth village (Jack London named it Valley of the Moon) 1841 Sonoma established Californias first winery (General Vallejo) 1858 Agonston Haraszthy Father of California Wine Established Buena Vista Winery (Charles Krug apprentice)
REVIEW
You should now have a good understanding of: What an AVA or appellation is and the appropriate grape content in each An overview of the geography for Napa, Sonoma and Central Coast
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the wine industry in these regions
OVERVIEW OF AUSTRALIA
INTRODUCTION TO AUSTRALIA
This overview of Australia will teach you about the Australian Geographical Indications. There is a brief summary of the most prominent wine regions of Australia and the grape varieties grown there.
MODULE OBJECTIVES
In this module you will learn: How Australian wine regions are defined by the Geographical Indications and how they relate to California's AVA's. The primary growing regions of Austalia and the grape varieties grown there.
ABOUT AUSTRALIA
One of the worlds preeminent wine producing countries An innovator in vineyard and winery management Size: roughly the equivalent of Western Europe or the continental U.S.
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATATIONS
Restructuring and redefining Australian wine appellations Originated in 1994 with European Union agreement allowing Australia access to European markets Resolving appellations vs. blending issue and the creation of the South-Eastern Australia appellation A work in progress
State of Origin: Next most specific category Super Zone: Adelaide Zone: Barossa Valley
Sub-regions: Smaller appellations within a region
State of Origin = California Super zone = North Coast Zone = Napa County
High Eden Sub-regions = Carneros
Includes parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia Produces over 70% of Australias wine principal wine producing companies established in Barossa, most subscribe to multiregional blending
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
White grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc Red grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache
BAROSSA VALLEY
Warm dry climate requiring drip irrigation, established 1847 Low humidity, warm dry heat
MCLAREN VALE
ADELAIDE HILLS
The hills overlooking Adelaide
Vineyards planted at up to 1500 ft Wide variety of soil types and micro-climates
Together with the Yarra Valley they are two of Australias definitive cool climate regions
Cool climate varieties Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir
COONAWARRA
Area: 5x1 miles / 7x1.5 km Finest Australian Cabernet Sauvignon but also excellent Shiraz Cool climate with an abundance of underlying water (great artesian basin) Terra Rossa soils (red sandy loam over chalk)
REVIEW
You should now have a good understanding of: How Australian wine regions are defined by the Geographical Indications and how they relate to the American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). The primary growing regions of Australia and the grape varieties grown there.