A Toast to Toro!

48492374 - champagne glassesNews of the Wine World: The Toro DO (located in Spain’s Castilla y León comunidad autónoma) has updated its rules and regulation and now allows for the production of sparkling wines. ¡Chinchín!

 This update was approved by the EU and published in the Journal of the European Union on November 14, 2024. The new products so approved include quality sparkling wines produced using the traditional method of sparkling wine production in red, white, and rosé styles.

  • The allowed grape varieties include the following:
    • White grapes: Malvasía Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), Verdejo, and/or Albillo Real
    • Red grapes: Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and/or Garnacha Tinta (Grenache Noir)

TO ToroAccording to the Pliego de Condiciones, these grapes make the ideal base for a sparkling wine with “small intense bubbles and a persistent crown.”

  • The rules regarding Toro Sparkling Wines also include the following conditions:
    • Minimum of 11.% abv
    • Minimum 9 months of lees aging
    • White sparkling wines: pale yellow to golden yellow in color, clean and fruity aromas with evidence of lees aging
    • Rosé sparkling wines: pale pink to salmon in color, clean and fruity aromas with evidence of lees aging; must include a minimum of 25% red grapes
    • Red sparkling wines: cherry red to terracotta in color, clean and fruity aromas with evidence of lees aging

Note: as with all such updates, the paperwork is still winding its way through the bureaucratic back offices of the EU. As such, while this update has been approved and announced by the EU, the website of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) has not yet posted an update to the Toro Pliego de Condiciones.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Welcome to the World, Vino de Pago Urbezo!

Photo of the Urbezo PDO via www.mapa.gob.es

Photo of the Urbezo PDO via www.mapa.gob.es

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, MAPA) has announced the approval of a new Denominación de Origen Protegida (PDO) for wine: the Vino de Pago Urbezo! As of October 26 (2024) the EU has also announced its approval of the new appellation.  At last count, this makes for a new total of 26 vinos de pago for Spain.

The new appellation is located in the autonomous community (comunidad autónoma) of Aragón (in the province of Zaragoza, just north-west of the municipality—and wine region) of Cariñena.

The Vino de Pago (PDO) Urbezo is approved for the production of dry wines, to include white (blanco), rosé (rosado), and red (tinto) wines. Wines may be unaged, or they may be labeled with a defined aging designation such as crianza, reserva, or gran reserva. One very interesting point of differentiation in this new appellation is that grape growing and winemaking is required to be certified as organic (as defined by EU Regulation (EC) No 834/2007). Other rules for these wines are discussed below:

  • White wine (blanco)
    • Authorized grape varieties: Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanco (White Grenache), Moscatel de Alejandría (Muscat of Alexandria)
    • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 12.5%
    • Maximum residual sugar (RS): 9 g/L
    • Other notes: Straw yellow in color (some greenish hues), aromas of stone fruit, tropical fruit, and flowers; medium to high acidity, medium to high aromatic/flavor intensity.
  • Rosé wine (rosado)
    • Authorized grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta (Red Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan), Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo
    • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 12.5%
    • Maximum residual sugar (RS): 9 g/L
    • Other notes: Clear and pink in color with notes of violet and fuchsia; aromas of red fruit and flowers; medium to high acidity; medium aromatic/flavor intensity; well-balanced and crisp
  • Red wine (tinto)
    • Authorized grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta (Red Grenache), Mazuelo (Carignan), Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo
    • Minimum alcohol by volume (abv) in the finished wine: 13%
    • Maximum residual sugar (RS): 9 g/L
    • Other notes: Cherry-red in color (with notes of violet, ruby, and ink-red); aromas of red fruit, black fruit, and flowers; medium to high acidity; medium to high aromatic/flavor intensity; complex and structures; long finish
    • Additional styles of red wine may be produced using carbonic maceration and a range of optional oak-aging regimes (see the attached pliego de condicones for details).

Welcome to the world, Vino de Pago Urbezo!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Welcome to the World—Beverly, Washington AVA!

Base Map via the TTB AVA Explorer

Base Map via the TTB AVA Explorer

On October 29, 2024, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States approved the Beverly, Washington American Viticultural Area (AVA). The new AVA is located in Washington State’s Grant County and lies entirely within the previously established Columbia Valley AVA.

The original petition for the Beverly, Washington AVA was accepted by the TTB in 2022 under the proposed name “Wanapum Village AVA.” A request to change the name to “Beverly, Washington” was submitted and approved in October of 2023.

According to these documents, the area’s distinguishing features are primarily its topography and soil. These features are discussed below.

Topography: The Beverly, Washington AVA is located close to the eastern shores of the Columbia River. The area is comprised of low, gently rolling hills with elevations ranging from 515 to 950 feet above sea level. The vineyard slopes are generally south- and southwest-facing, tucked into the edge of the Frenchman Hills (where they meet the Columbia River).

Base Map via the TTB AVA Explorer

Base Map via the TTB AVA Explorer

Soil: According to the petition, the soil is the primary point of differentiation between the Beverly, Washington AVA and the surrounding Columbia Valley AVA. Soils within the new AVA are largely derived of topsoil deposited by the Missoula floods—a series of floods that occurred at the end of the last ice age. These soils—consisting mainly of sand and gravel atop basalt bedrock—tend to be very well-drained and quite coarse. These coarse soils are less prone to erosion than the finer-grained soils found elsewhere in the Columbia Valley. As such, there is no need for cover crops (as might be used to control erosion). In addition, coarse soils absorb heat faster than finer soils—and the resulting warmer soils promote earlier onset of budbreak, veraison, and other ripening stages of the grapes.

The Beverly, Washington AVA is a relatively tiny area located directly to the south of the Royal Slope AVA. According to the original petition, there are currently two commercial vineyards in the area.

When the Beverley, Washington AVA is brought into force—on November 29, 2024—the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 276. Of these, 21 will be in Washington State.

Welcome to the world, Beverly, Washington AVA!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from Terre di Pisa

Photo via: www.viniterredipisa.com

Photo via: www.viniterredipisa.com

News flash: the Terre di Pisa DOC—first approved as a producer of Tuscan red wines in 2011—has amended its disciplinare to allow for several new styles of wine, to include white wines and rosato (rosé).

Previously, the only styles of wine allowed to be made in the Terre di Pisa DOC were dry red table wines known as Terre di Pisa Rosso (typically based on a blend of red grapes, and required to contain a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and/or Syrah) and Terre di Pisa Sangiovese (minimum 85% Sangiovese). These wines require a minimum of 12.5% alcohol by volume (abv).

  • The new styles of wine permitted under the Terre di Pisa DOC include the following:
    • Terre di Pisa Bianco (white): A dry white wine produced using a minimum of 70% Vermentino and/or  Trebbiano Toscano. The remainder may comprise any white grape present in the vineyards and suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Minimum alcohol: 11% abv.
    • Terre di Pisa Vermentino: A dry white wine produced using a minimum of 85% Vermentino. The remainder may comprise any white grape present in the vineyards and suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Minimum alcohol: 11% abv.
    • Terre di Pisa Rosato (rosé): A dry, pink wine produced using a minimum of 50% Sangiovese. The remainder may comprise any red grape present in the vineyards and suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Minimum alcohol: 11% abv.

In addition, a “riserva” category has been approved for Terre di Pisa Rosso. The use of the term riserva is allowed for those wines that have been aged for at least two years. Red wines not using the riserva label term must have been aged for a minimum of 1 year (Terre di Pisa Rosso) or 18 months (Terre di Pisa Sangiovese).

The Terre di Pisa appellation includes 16 of the 37 municipalities (communi/communes) within the province of Pisa. It is centered around the rolling hills about 12 miles south of the city of Pisa (and about 10 miles inland from the city of Livorno).

If you’ve never heard of Terre di Pisa before, don’t beat yourself up. This is a small appellation—total vineyard area is about 150 acres/60 hectares and total production (including around 15 wineries) is less than 10,000 cases a year.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Welcome to the World, Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA!

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer Map

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer Map

On October 16, 2024, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States approved the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). The new AVA is located in California’s Napa County and lies entirely within the previously established North Coast and Napa Valley AVAs.

According to the original petition—submitted in 2020 by Stephen Burgess on behalf of Burgess Cellars and other wine growers in the area—the defining characteristics of the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA include the area’s topography, climate, and soil. These features are discussed below.

Topography: The Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA is tucked into the western face of the Vaca Range. The petition describes the area as “all hillside” with no flat areas. Elevation ranges from 1,400 feet asl at the northern border (where the new AVA abuts the Howell Mountain and Calistoga AVAs) to 400 feet asl at the area’s southern boundary (shared with the St. Helena AVA). Slope angles range from 15% to 40% and are generally west-to-southwesterly in aspect, thus increasing the amount of solar radiation received (in comparison to north- and east-facing slopes).

Climate: The all-slope topography of the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA also lends its most distinctive climate features. These include the abundant sunshine (as measured by solar radiation), the lack of the risk of frost, and the subsequent long ripening season. According to the petition, every other AVA in the area has a significant risk of frost and often require interventions such as those offered by orchard fans, heaters, sprinklers, or misters.

Base Map via the TTB Explorer Map

Base Map via the TTB Explorer Map

This part of the Vaca Range consists mainly of volcanic bedrock. Topsoil, while often quite thin and diverse in parent materials, is largely made up of igneous rock but also includes compacted volcanic ash as well as other weathered metamorphic and sedimentary soils.

The Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA covers a total of approximately 4,000 total acres, with 230 acres currently planted to vineyards. There are approximately 30 commercial vineyards located within the region. The leading grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc.

When the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA is brought into force—on November 15, 2024—the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 275. Of these, 154 will be in California, and 18 will be in Napa County.

Welcome to the world, Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Welcome to the World, IGP Lorraine!

vineyards lorraineAs published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 6 (2024), France has a new Vin de Pays/Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP) for quality sparkling wine: The Lorraine IGP.

This new appellation covers rouge (red), rosé, and blanc (white) sparkling wines produced using the traditional method of sparkling wine production. The appellation covers the French departments of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, and Moselle—all located in the north-east of the country within the area historically known as Lorraine and now part of the Grand Est administrative region. This cool-climate area is defined by the foothills of the Vosges Mountains as well as a series of river valleys derived from the Meuse, Ornain, and Moselle Rivers. Sparkling wine—historically referred to as Grand Mousseux Lorrain—has been produced in the area since the 1870s.

  • The cahier des charges lists a total of 17 allowed grape varieties.
    • Allowed white grapes include Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Aubin, Auxerrois, Müller-Thurgau, Johanniter, Muscaris, and Solaris
    • Allowed red grapes include Pinot Noir, Gamay, Meunier, Cabernet Cortis, Gamaret, and Pinotin
    • Other allowed grapes include Pinot Gris and Souvignier Gris
  • Other requirements for Lorraine IGP wines include the following:
    • The wine may be produced from any grape or grape varieties; the only stipulation is that Riesling may comprise no more than 30% of any given product.
    • The wines must be produced using the traditional method of sparkling wine production (meaning the second fermentation occurs in the same bottle in which it is to be sold) and they require a minimum of 9 months of lees aging.
    • White wines should be pale yellow to deep gold in color; rosé should be salmon-pink, deep pink or “coppery” in color; red wines should have a cherry-red or garnet hue.

We look forward to seeing these sparkling wines on the shelves soon! Welcome to the world, Lorraine IGP!

References/for more information:

Conference Agenda: SWE’s Virtual Mini-Conference—A Deep Dive into Pinot Noir!

SWE Mini Conference - Pinot NoirComing on Saturday, October 19: SWE’s Virtual Mini-Conference—A Deep Dive into Pinot Noir!

This event is offered free-of-charge for members of SWE. Space is limited, however, and pre-registration is required. If you have any questions about this event (or to request a spot), please contact Jane Nickles at jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

The Conference Website (including speaker information, handouts, and a link to the webinar platform) will be emailed to registered attendees on October 14. We hope to see you there!

CONFERENCE AGENDA (all times central)

  • Saturday, October 19—10:00 am: Pinot Noir in South Africa with Jim Clarke. Pinot Noir first came to South Africa in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until intrepid growers began exploring the Cape South Coast in the 1970s that the grape began to find its home and show off what it’s capable of in the Rainbow Nation. Today it’s still only found in small quantities, but punches far beyond its weight when it comes to reputation and critical regard. Wines of South Africa Country Manager Jim Clarke, author of the Classic Wine Library’s Wines of South Africa, will lead viewers through the story of Pinot Noir in South Africa, exploring its history, taking apart prominent regions where the grape excels, and highlighting the grape’s leading producers.
  • Saturday, October 19—12:00 noon: Exploring Chile and the Future of World-Class Pinot Noir with Elijah B. Smith. While Chile gets a lot of attention for its Cabernet Sauvignon and brawny red blends, the country also contains a plethora of cooler-climate wine regions—including the well-known Casablanca Valley and the up-and-coming southern reaches—where Pinot Noir can shine. In this session, join Elijah B. Smith CWE on a tour of the many producers and regions of Chile that are primed to produce world-class Pinot Noir.
  • Saturday, October 19—2:00 pm: Oregon—The Future of Premium Pinot Noir with Carrie Kalscheuer. Discover all the reasons—including the climate, location, soils, and resources—why Oregon enjoys its well-deserved reputation as a leading producer of premium Pinot Noir. We’ll look at the state’s viticultural history—including the rise of Oregon Pinot Noir—as well as its well-documented diversity in terms of terroir. Join In this session, join Carrie Kalscheuer (Chief Brand Officer of Ponzi Vineyards) for an in-depth look at Oregon’s commitment to sustainability, quality, and affordability. 
  • Saturday, October 19—4:00 pm: Pinot Noir Across Terroir with Tanya Morning Star. Discover the rich diversity of Bourgogne’s red wines with Tanya Morning Star, CWE. Pinot Noir is one of the most ancient and captivating grape varieties on the planet! Native to the famed region of Bourgogne in Eastern France, Pinot Noir is a true chameleon of the wine world, effortlessly adapting to its surroundings and crafting wines that sing with the unique essence of each terroir, from village to village, plot to plot. This grape has been beloved since Roman times, and for good reason – its ability to translate the land into a bottle of wine, from humble table wines to the world’s most prized bottles, is nothing short of magical. Join Tanya Morning Star for a deep dive into the heart and soul of one of the world’s most expressive grapes, uncovering Pinot Noir’s remarkable ability to shape-shift and tell the stories of its origins.

Welcome to the World, San Luis Rey AVA!

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer Map

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer

On August 30, 2024, the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States approved the San Luis Rey American Viticultural Area (AVA). The new AVA is located in California’s San Diego County, entirely within the previously established South Coast AVA. The AVA extends from the coastal city of Oceanside inland to the Merriman Mountains and Moosa Canyon.

The area is named for the San Luis Rey River, which runs through the northern edge of the area and drains into the Pacific Ocean; and for Mission San Luis Rey—founded in 1798 and built close to the banks of the river. The defining characteristics of the San Luis Rey AVA include the area’s topography, climate, and soil. These features are discussed below.

Topography and Climate: The San Luis Rey AVA sits at relatively low elevations (the mean elevation is 563 feet above sea level) and is located close to the Pacific Coastline. This situation allows cool ocean breezes to flow through the region, thus creating an overall cool, maritime climate. The average annual maximum temperature of the San Luis Rey AVA is significantly cooler than the surrounding areas (including the Temecula Valley AVA, San Pasqual Valley AVA, and Ramona Valley AVA).

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer

Soil: Compared with the surrounding area, the bedrock supporting the San Luis Rey AVA is generally older and richer in sandy loam (an ideal texture for commercial viticulture, and a point of differentiation and potential advantage over much of the rest of the South Coast AVA).  Soil parent materials include granite, sandstone and quartz.

The San Luis Rey AVA covers a total of approximately 97,733 acres, with 256 acres currently planted to vineyards (with another 29 acres of planned vineyards). There are 44 commercial vineyards and just over 20 bonded wineries—including Fallbrook Winery and Lionsgate Estate Winery—located within the region. The leading grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Grenache.

When the San Luis Rey AVA is brought into force—on September 30, 2024—the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 274. Of these, 153 will be in California.

Welcome to the world, San Luis Rey AVA!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Alsace Grand Cru Vorbourg Sees Red!

Wine village and vineyards in the Alsace region in FranceAs of July 2024, the INAO (Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité of France) has approved the production of Pinot Noir-based red wines in the Alsace Grand Cru Vorbourg AOC. As such, Vorbourg becomes the third Alsatian Grand Cru approved for the production of red wines. Two others—Alsace Grand Cru Hengst and Alsace Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr—were approved for the production of Pinot Noir in May of 2022. The remaining 48 Grands Crus of Alsace remain approved only for white wines.

Vorbourg—largely planted to Gewurztraminer—is located near the southern end of the Haut-Rhin Départment, tucked alongside several other Alsace Grands Crus in the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains. Vorbourg (covering about 180 acres/73 hectares) contains one of the region’s most famous walled vineyards—the Clos Saint Landelin, owned by the Mure family.

Located just north of the Ohmbach River, Vorbourg is composed mainly of a series of south- and southeast-facing slopes. This means the vines receive abundant sunshine, making it an ideal choice for ripening Pinot Noir in this overall cool-climate region. The soils of Vorbourg include granite and limestone on the hillsides, along with clay and loess closer to the river.

According to the Wines of Alsace (vinsalace) website, the white wines of Vorbourg are known for fruity aromas (citrus, peach, and pear), are full-bodied, and show a good deal of minerality. The red wine (Pinot Noir) has a deep red color, rich texture, fine tannins, and aromas of fruit, spice (anise), and mineral.

We look forward to trying a Grand Cru Pinot Noir from Vorbourg!

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Dispatch from the Vicenza DOC (with ramato and rosé)!

Map Vincenza One plotThe Vicenza DOC—established in 2000—is located somewhat in the center of Italy’s Veneto Region. It surrounds the city of Vicenza and covers most of the surrounding Vicenza Province. The Vicenza DOC overlaps the Gamberella DOC/Recioto di Gamberella DOCG as well as a portion of the Colli Berici DOC.

The Vicenza DOC stretches from Monti Berico—its highest point—in the northwest and extends across the flatter plains form by the Bacchiglione River. The finest vineyards in the appellation are considered the hillside vineyards in the north and west of the area.

The Vicenza DOC is approved for a long list of grape varieties and wine styles. These include red and white wines (in still, sparkling, frizzante, and passito styles) made from blends or varietals. The leading grape varieties of the include Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Moscato, Garganega, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), among others.

  • In addition to the previously approved wines, on as of July 2024, the EU as approved the following revisions to the wines allowed under the Vicenza DOC:
    • Pinot Grigio Superiore DOC: A new product—Vicenza Pinot Grigio Superiore DOC—has been approved and will be required to contain a minimum of 11.5% abv.
    • Rosato and Ramato approved: Vicenza Pinot Grigio will now be allowed to be produced via skin-contact and labeled as Pinot Grigio Rosato (rosé) and well as Pinot Grigio Ramato. In accordance with this change, the approved description of the color of Vicenza Pinot Grigio has been updated to read as follows: As implied by the change in name of the Vicenza Pinot Grigio  type to Vicenza Pinot Grigio / Pinot Grigio Rosato / Pinot Grigio Ramato, the description of the color also changes, from “from straw yellow to golden yellow, sometimes with hints of pink”’ to “from straw yellow to golden yellow, pink or copper.”

We look forward to tasting Vicenza Pinot Grigio Ramato  (or Rosato) in the near future!

Note: as is typical of appellation updates, this change has been approved by the local consortium, Italy’s National Wine Committee, and the EU. However, we have not yet seen an updated disciplinare uploaded to a public database. We have attached the proposal (which has been approved), below.

References/for more information:

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org