RELATIONSHIPS
Key varieties: from Cabernet to Riesling: perspectives for comparison
Read geography, grape resources, and production processes separately.
Red
Cabernet, Pinot, Zinfandel, etc.
White
Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Winemaking
Blend, fermentation, ageing
This is a schematic diagram summarizing the main text. It does not represent production areas or quality rankings. Sources and reference materials
FIELD NOTE 01
Entry point for red wines
Focus on Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, and Oregon Pinot Noir. In Washington State, Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah are also important. Including Virginia Cabernet Franc helps ensure the study of red wines is not limited to the western U.S.
FIELD NOTE 02
White entry point
Chardonnay is studied in California or Oregon, Riesling in Finger Lakes or Washington. Pinot Gris is also important in Oregon. You cannot determine the presence of oak aromas or malolactic fermentation just from the grape name Chardonnay alone.
FIELD NOTE 03
Single variety and blend
Grape variety on the label does not always mean 100%. Ridge Lytton Springs, for example, is based on Zinfandel but uses several varieties. If you lay out blend ratios, fermentation, and maturation vessels as listed in the documentation, you can move from a grape variety explanation to understanding a specific wine’s production.
Distinguish and confirm the label's minimum required information from actual producer data.
PAUSE & REFLECT
Check your understanding.
Can you determine the presence of barrel aging or blend percentages just from the grape variety name?
Read the explanation ＋
Distinguish and confirm the label's minimum required information from actual producer data.
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Sources and reference materials
These are the reference materials for the main text. For details of production regulations, consult the current documents. For individual wine specifications, refer to materials for the relevant vintage.
- Napa Valley Vintners｜Topography and Climate ↗
- Sonoma County Vintners | All AVAs ↗
- Oregon Wine Board: Grapes ↗
- Washington State Wine Commission｜Columbia Valley ↗
- New York Wine & Grape Foundation｜Grapes ↗
- Virginia Wine｜Major State Varieties ↗
- Ridge Vineyards｜Lytton Springs 2023 ↗