Category Archives: Testable Material for the CWE Exam

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

On July 5 (2023), the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) of the United States announced the approval of the Long Valley-Lake County American Viticultural Area (AVA). The new AVA is located entirely within Lake County (California).

It should be noted that at the same time as this ruling, the TTB expanded the area of the already-established High Valley AVA to create a solid boundary between the two appellations. In addition, the area of the larger, previously established North Coast AVA was expanded in order to encompass the entirety of the Long Valley-Lake County AVA, making the new AVA entirely contained within the North Coast AVA.

According to the original petition—drafted by Terry Dereniuk (owner of Terry Dereniuk Consulting), Don Van Pelt (of Cache Creek Vineyards), and Clay Shannon (of the Shannon Family of Wines) on behalf of Long Valley wine grape growers and originally submitted in 2018—the distinguishing features of the Long Valley-Lake County AVA include its topography (elevation), geology (soil), and climate—as described below.

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

Topography and elevation: The area inside the Long Valley-Lake County AVA consists of a long, narrow valley floor—situated at a medium elevation of 1,322 feet/403 m above sea level—surrounded by the hills of the High Valley Ridge and the Rocky Ridge. Long Valley Creek runs along the valley floor. The foothills and benchlands within the AVA rise an additional 200 feet/61 m to 500 feet/152 m above the valley floor. During the growing season, cool air blowing down from the hills helps to cool the vines from the heat of the day and allows some protection from early spring frosts. Elevation differentiates the Long Valley-Lake County AVA from the surrounding areas (such the High Valley and Red Hills AVA); these areas have higher elevations and steeper hillsides.

Geology (soil): The Long Valley–Lake County AVA sits atop the Cache Formation—an area of fossilized deposits left over from the Jurassic Period, when Lake County was covered by water. The Cache Formation—which forms basis of the area’s soils—consists mainly of freshwater lake deposits, volcanic rock, tuff (lithified volcanic ash), limestone, sand, and gravel. In many areas, these soils rest atop blue clay, limestone, and shale.

Climate: The climate of the Long Valley-Lake County AVA differs from the climate of the surrounding areas in terms of annual rainfall as well as heat accumulation (growing degree days) during the growing season. Rainfall in Long Valley averages between 27 and 33 inches per year, with the larger numbers typically experienced in the western edge of the area. These numbers are higher than those typically experienced in the areas to the south and east of the appellation, and quite a bit lower than those experienced to the northwest (where rainfall can average up to 45 inches per year).

Base map via the TTB AVA Explorer (click to enlarge)

According to the petition, the Long Valley-Lake County AVA is classified as Region III on the Winkler scale and is (on average) a bit cooler than the surrounding areas. In terms of average growing degree days (GDD), the Long Valley-Lake County AVA has an average heat accumulation of 3,378. Of the surrounding areas, the High Valley AVA averages 3,548 GDD, while the Red Hills-Lake County AVA averages 3,595.

The new appellation covers a total of 7,605 acres, of which approximately 149 acres are currently planted with commercial vineyards; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah, and Syrah are the leading grape varieties. There are currently three wineries located within the new AVA, including Noggle Vineyards and Winery, Cache Creek Vineyards and Winery, and Stonehouse Cellars.

When the Long Valley-Lake County AVA is brought into force—on August 4, 2023—the total number of AVAs in the United States will be 268; of these, 148 will be in California.

Welcome to the world, Long Valley-Lake County AVA!

References/for more information:

• Establishment of the Long Valley-Lake County AVA July 2023
• Long Valley AVA petition

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

Heads up, wine students! The Chianti Classico Consortium has recently adopted some updates to the rules and regulation of their Gran Selezione sub-appellation. These changes were announced via publication in the Gazzetta Ufficale delle Republica Italiana on July 1, 2023. Some of these will be adopted right away, and some will not come into force until several years from now.

A bit of background: The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione category was adopted as an “upper tier” quality level for the wines of the Chianti Classico DOCG in 2014. The designation currently carries with it slightly higher production standards (in terms of minimum alcohol levels and aging) than the wines of the Chianti Classico DOCG and the Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG. In addition, the grapes must come from a an estate-owned vineyard.

https://www.chianticlassico.com/

The immediate changes—subzones: The 30-mile-/48-km-long Chianti Classico region has been sub-divided into a set of eight distinct (non-overlapping) subzones. These subzones—officially known as Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive or UGAs—are available only to Chianti Classico DOCG wines bearing the Gran Selezione designation. The use of UGAs for eligible wines will be allowed beginning with the wines of the 2022 vintage, scheduled to be released in 2025 (at the earliest).

• The UGAs are—for the most part—drawn according to the boundaries of the political areas (communes) found within the appellation’s borders.
• The communes of Castellina, Gaiole, and Radda—as well as the sections of the communes of San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Castelnuovo Berardenga that are within the boundaries of the DOCG—form five of the individual UGAs.
• Two communes—Barberino Tavarnelle and Poggibonsi, both of which are partially located within the Chianti Classico DOCG—have been combined to form the San Donato in Poggio UGA.
• Two UGAs have been carved out of the commune of Greve. The Panzano UGA comprises the frazione or hamlet of Panzano in Chianti; the remainder of the commune is a separate subzone known as the Greve UGA.
• Click here to view a map of the new UGAs, via the website of the Chianti Classico Consortium. 

Changes for the future—modification of the required blend: The required blend for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is currently the same as the blend required for all styles of Chianti Classico, namely, that the wine contain a minimum of 80% Sangiovese, The remaining 20% may comprise any grape (or grapes) from a long list of red grapes suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. However, with the wines of the 2027 vintage (due to be released in 2030), the rules change. The new regulations will require Chianti Classico Gran Selezione to contain a minimum of 90% Sangiovese; the remaining 10% (if not Sangiovese) must be a native Italian variety (or varieties). The list of allowed native Italian varieties includes Colorino, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Mammolo, Pugnitello, Malvasia Nera, Foglia Tonda, and Sanforte (Maiolica).

• In addition, three more specific UGAs—Montefioralle, Lamole, and Vagliagli—are scheduled to be introduced along with the 2027 vintage.

Note: As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU authorization; however, as the government of Italy has granted their approval, the changes are considered to be in force. If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulations will be rescinded.

References/for more information:

• Gazzetta Ufficiale-July 1 2023-Updates to Chianti Classico DOCG (see page 17)
• Click here for more information, including a map of the new UGAs, via the website of the Chianti Classico Consortium.

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

Photo via: www.astidocg.it

And then there were 77: with the recent registration and publication of the Canelli DOCG, Italy now has 77 wines that can claim the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) title.

The Canelli DOCG is approved for sweet, frizzante wines produced from 100% Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) grapes. This style of wine—produced in the larger Asti DOCG where it is known as Moscato d’Asti—is already well-known and widely popular.

The Canelli DOCG—formerly a sub-zone of the larger Asti DOCG—is the 19^th DOCG to be approved in Piedmont, cementing the area’s claim to the most DOCGs of any region of Italy. (The number two place goes to Veneto, currently home to 14 DOCGs.)

The area covered by the Canelli DOCG covers 18 communes within the provinces of Asti and Cuneo; this makes the region quite a bit smaller than the larger, surrounding Asti DOCG (which is spread over the area now covered by the Canelli DOCG as well as an additional 5 communes).  There are currently just over 40 estates eligible to produce Canelli DOCG, and it is estimated that annual production will—for the next few years—be just over 500,000 bottles. It is, however, anticipated that the establishment of the new Canelli DOCG will drive some growth in the wine’s popularity and subsequent production.

• In accordance with the regulations of the Canelli DOCG, hand harvesting is mandatory, yields are strict, and the vineyards must be planted on the area’s rolling hills at elevations between 540 feet/165 m and 1,640 feet/500 m. Other regulations governing the wines of the Canelli DOCG include the following:
  • 100% Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) grapes
  • Frizzante (lightly sparkling) with a maximum of 2.5 atmospheres of pressure
  • Minimum alcohol level: 4.5% by volume; maximum 6.5%

Residual sugar is not specifically mandated; however, there are standards for minimum potential alcohol at harvest (11.0%) and maximum abv in the finished product. As a result, the average wine will contain approximately 8% residual sugar.

Sounds delicious…welcome to the world, Canelli DOCG!

References/for more information:

• Disciplinare-Canelli DOCG-in Italian
• Canelli DOCG registration-EU Official Journal-June 2023

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

The Cariñena Denominación de Origen (DO Cariñena) is a well-established wine region located along the Heurva River in Aragón (an autonomous community in northeastern Spain). Originally established in 1932, the DO Cariñena produces a range of wine styles—including tinto, blanco, and rosado in versions from dry-to-sweet; plus sparkling wine, semi-sparkling wine (vino de aguja), and fortified wine (vino de licor).

All of these wines are allowed to be produced using a long list of grapes, sorted into those considered “principal“ and those considered “secondary.”  In order to use the label term “Superior,” the wine must contain a minimum of 85% principal grape varieties (variedades de uva principales). It comes as no surprise that Cariñena is listed among the appellation’s principal grape varieties.

Cariñena—a vigorous, high-tannin red variety—is a grape of many names; in France, it is known as Carignan; in Catalonia, it is known as Samsó; and much of the world knows it as Mazuelo. It is believed that Mazuelo was the original name, derived from the town of Mazuelo de Muñó (located in Burgos [Castilla y León]). It is further believed that the locally preferred name Cariñena derives from the town of the same name (one of the 16 towns of the Zaragoza Province included within the confines of the DO).

The white mutation of the grape—redolent with citrus aromas and often used in white blends—is known across Spain as Cariñena Blanca, Mazuelo Blanco, or Samsó Blanco. As it stands to reason, in France it goes by Carignan Blanc. Loyal readers of this blog might recall that Cariñena Blanca was only quite recently added to the official list of approved varieties in Spain, and that the Empordà DO was the first appellation to allow its use in the PDO wines of the region. (At the time, I received many comments relating that it seemed odd that it was not year approved in the Cariñena DO—agreed!)

However, it seems that the Cariñena DO has come around and—as of February of 2023—Cariñena Blanca has been approved for use (as a secondary variety) in the white wines and sparkling wines of the appellation (fortified wines must be produced solely from principal varieties).

It is believed that viticulture in Aragón began in the area near the town of Cariñena. The area was formerly a Roman town known as Carae, whose inhabitants of Carae were known to have enjoyed a locally produced wine mixed with home as far back as the third century BCE. Documentation concerning planting restrictions on vineyards dates back to 1696.

The Cariñena DO contains a diverse range of soil types and is characterized by low rainfall, extreme temperatures, and a strong, dry, northerly wind known as the cierzo.

Note: The complete list of principal grape varieties of the DO Cariñena includes the following grapes in addition to Cariñena: Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, and Macabeo. The list of secondary varieties includes the following (in addition to Cariñena Blanca): Juan Ibáñez (Moristel), Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Vidadillo (Vidalillo de Almonacid), Muscat of Alexandria (Moscatel de Alejandría), Parellada, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo.

References/for more information:

• EU Journal regarding Carinena DO 2023
• Pliego de condiciones Cariñena DO updated 2023
• The Cierzo Wind— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cierzo

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

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News flash from Spain: After previous approval by the Government of Andalucía (Junta de Andalucía), the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) has published a new-and-revised Pliego de Condiciones for the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO. While these changes represent some significant updates to the time-honored production requirements of Sherry, they do not encompass all of the changes that were expected; other updates are still awaiting approval.

The changes to the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO include the following:

New grapes allowed: In addition to the traditional three varieties (Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel de Alejandría), the following grape varieties are now approved for use in Sherry: Beba, Perruno, and Vigiriega. These grapes were common to the region prior to phylloxera.

Introducing…Fino Viejo: Fino Viejo is a new category of wine, representing biologically aged wines with an average of seven years of solera aging; these wines must show substantial oxidative character.

Minimum sugar levels have been lowered: The minimum required sugar content has been lowered (from 5 grams per liter) to 4 g/L.

Official sub-zones have been listed: Sub-zones, referred to as Pagos or Unidades Geográficas Menores de la Zona Delimitada (minor geographic units of the delimited zone) have been defined. There are over 100 pagos currently so designated. Click here for a list and a map of the pagos, via the website of the consejo regulador.

Note: As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU authorization; however, as the government of Spain has granted their approval, the changes are considered to be in force. If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulation will be rescinded.

References/for more information:

• Pliego de Condicones Jerez-Xerez-Sherry updated March 2023

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

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News flash from the Government of Andalucía (Junta de Andalucía), the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación), and the European Commission: some substantial updates have been made to the rules and regulations regarding the Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO.

These changes relate to the widely reported and much-anticipated revisions that are underway for the larger Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO. However, these updates—concerning Manzanilla—stand on their own. (For the record, the expected updates to the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO are still awaiting publication on the website of the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación and approval of the EU/European Commission.)

The substantive changes to the Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO include the following:

• The name “Manzanilla/Manzanilla DO” is added as a protected term—equivalent to the still-applicable “Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO”.
• The minimum required sugar content has been lowered (from 5 grams per liter) to 4 g/L.
• The requirement for Manzanilla products to be fortified (vinos generosos) remains; however, the language has been updated to reflect the term fortificación, rather than the archaic term encabezado (as used previously).
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  Map of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO and Manzanilla DO via https://www.sherry.wine

  A minimum 7-year oak aging period has been specified for Manzanilla Pasada (this replaces the much less specific requirement for prolonged maturing).

• Palomino (aka Palomino Fino or Listán Blanco) is the only grape now allowed for use in Manzanilla DO. (This means that Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel are no longer approved.)
• The new document confirms the standard that grapes used in the production of Manzanilla DO may be grown anywhere within the confines of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO, but specifies that the product must be aged (in oak barrels for at least two years) within the confines of the municipality of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

The location of Sanlúcar de Barrameda—on the Atlantic coast and adjacent to the Guadalquivir River—provides an ideal (warm and humid) environment for intense flor yeast activity. As stated on the updated pliego de condiciones for the Manzanilla DO, la proximité de la mer et le niveau élevé d’humidité favorisent une activité intense et prolongée de la levure, qui confère au vin Manzanilla des caractéristiques particulières. (“The proximity to the sea and the high humidity are conducive to intense yeast activity over a long period of time, giving Manzanilla wines their unique characteristics.”)

References/for more information:

• EU Journal-Manzanilla Updates March 2023
• Pliego de Condiciones Manzanilla DO-updated 2022

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

Now—as of December 2022—it seems like the grape modifications are marching onward, as three appellations located on Bordeaux’s Left Bank—Médoc AOC, Haut-Médoc AOC and Listrac-Médoc AOC—have embraced the changes as well.

These three appellations are all approved for red wines only (although there are rumors that the Médoc AOC may soon adopt the production of white wines). As such, the classic list of red Bordeaux grapes in these appellations—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and  Carmenère—has been supplanted with Arinarnoa, Castets, Marselan, and Touriga Nacional.

As is true with the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs, the new grapes are allowed to comprise a maximum of 5% of the vineyard area of any estate and no more than 10% of the final blend of any wine. Besides these limitations (and the still-concise list of approved grapes), the wines of all three appellations—Médoc AOC, Haut-Médoc AOC and Listrac-Médoc AOC—have no other rules concerning the number (or amounts) of grapes in the blend.

Stay tuned! More changes are in the works.

Note: As with all such updates, this change will need to wind its way through EU authorization; however, as the government of France has granted their approval, the changes are considered to be in force. If the EU fails to approve the amendment, the regulation will be rescinded.

References/for more information:

• Cahier des Charges Medoc AOC-Dec 2022
• Cahier des Charges Haut-Medoc AOC-Dec 2022
• Cahier des Charges Listrac-Medoc AOC-Dec 2022