In what year was California's Santa Clara Valley recognized as an AVA (American Viticultural Area)?
1989
The Santa Clara Valley AVA extends south of the San Francisco Bay, along the Santa Cruz Mountains, in California's Central Coast area, and has winemaking and viticultural history dating back to the Spanish missionaries of the area in 1798. During the gold rush of the 1850s, European immigrants from France, Italy, Germany, and Spain recognized the potential of the area for grape-growing, and planting well-known varieties from their countries. It was recognized as an AVA in 1989. Today, the Santa Clara Valley AVA is home to about 30 wineries.
Which grape is also known by the names Mazuelo, Bovale Grande, Gragnano, and Pinot Evara?
Carignan
One a big ingredient of California jug wine, and now seeing a renewed quality focus throughout that state, Carignan is also known by many other names, such as Carinena, Carinyena, Carignane, Carignano, and Samso.
Which grape comes from a cross of varieties that includes Grenache?
Alicante Bouschet
Alicante Bouschet is a cross of Grenache and Petit Bouschet. It's known particularly for its deep, dark color, being one of the only noble teinturier grapes, which have colored (rather than clear) juice. Its leaves tend to turn a picturesque shade of purple in late Autumn.
Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and what other grape?
Pelorsin
Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and the Pelorsin grape. The "Petite" in its name refers not to the vine itself (which is notoriously vigorous) or its leaves (which are notably large), but to the size of the berries that it produces.
True or False: Zinfandel is the tenth-most planted grape in California?
False
Zinfandel has been planted in nearly all of California's grape-growing areas. According to the 2017 California Grape Acreage Report, Zinfandel is that state's third-most planted grape, behind only Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
True or False: The first vineyard-designated wine in California was a Chardonnay?
False
According to the California Wine Institute, the first vineyard-designated wine in California was not a Chardonnay, but a Cabernet Sauvignon: Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1966 (from an area that would later become Napa Valley's Oakville AVA). At release, the wine cost about $7 per bottle - considered an exorbitant amount, given the list price of Heitz's regular Cabernet Sauvignon release at the time ($1.63 per bottle).
True or False: The California wine industry generates over 100 billion dollars USD in annual economic activity?
True
According to the 2015 Economic Impact Report on Wine, the wine industry in California employs over 785,000 people, generating $114 billion in economic activity annually (and paying a whopping $15.2 billion in taxes every year).
Which of the following is NOT a "Grand Cru" Prosecco area that can be included in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG?
Santo Domingo
Prosecco's Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG region covers only 107 hectares of vineyards, roughly in the shape of a pentagon. Those vineyards are in the steepest hillsides of San Pietro di Barbozza, Santo Stefano and Saccol, all in the commune of Valdobbiadene.
What does the word "Rive" mean with respect to the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG in Italy?
Slope
In the local dialect of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco production area, "Rive" means "slope" and refers to the steep hills characteristic of the 43 delimited areas from which this special sparkling wine is made. Rive Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG wines have strict grape yield requirements, and are hand-picked.
