Ever Wonder? What is an AVA?

There are so many wine terms, acronyms and abbreviations that can be quite confusing. And, wine labels are often a place where this confusion is on display.

In the U.S., the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which is part of the Treasury, is responsible for regulating the wine industry. Wine labeling is one of the topics they regulate.

Per the TTB’s guidance “An American viticultural area (AVA) is a type of appellation specific to grape wine. It is a defined grape-growing region having a name, distinguishing features, and a delineated boundary…” That’s a lot of words to say that an AVA is a unique wine-growing region.

So, an AVA is not just a wine growing region, it is a very specific wine growing region. And, their words “distinguishing features” are key to defining an AVA.

At first, one might assume that a Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a Cabernet Sauvignon grape no matter where it is grown. And, while that is basically true, there are subtle nuances that make a Cabernet Sauvignon grape grown in Napa Valley different than one grown in Arizona. The interaction of the soil, climate, topography and grape variety in a specific site, imprints the wine and making of each wine with specific unique characteristics. And, the wine world refers to this concept as the “terroir” (te-war). That is, specific geographic or climatic features of a wine growing region will distinguish it from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown.

So, an AVA is an American Viticultural Area that has unique grape-growing characteristics.

Next time, we’ll explore some fun facts about AVAs such as wine labeling requirements, how AVAs get created and how many there are in the U.S. Until then, cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Cline Hat Strap Chardonnay

2021 Cline Hat Strap Chardonnay ($25)

Cline Family Cellars, a certified sustainable family-owned and operated winery and vineyard holder based in the Carneros wine appellation of Sonoma County, California, has recently announced the introduction of Cline Family Cellars Sonoma AVA Series, a collection of four varietal wines sourced from the best growing regions in Sonoma County.

In 1991, Fred and Nancy Cline moved Cline Family Cellars from Oakley to a 350-acre horse ranch in Sonoma-Carneros. They began planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other noble Rhône-style varietals that best suited the growing conditions of the area. Now, as the next generation assumes leadership positions within the winery, they are fulfilling their heartfelt commitment to promote Sonoma County with the introduction of this new tier of wines to showcase local Viticultural areas that produce the best expression of a signature varietal.

Hat Strap Chardonnay is sourced from the Cline family’s J. Poppe vineyard, the oldest Sonoma vineyard on the winery’s estate. “Afternoon winds are felt throughout the Carneros region and especially on the Eastern facing slopes of Wildcat Mountain where we farm our stellar Hat Strap Chardonnay,” said Fred Cline. “Winds come up from the San Pablo Bay directly pulling in cooler coastal air. The wind is so strong that I need to hang on to my hat when inspecting the vineyard,” remarked Fred. Hence, the name ‘Hat Strap’ for this wine.

This 2021 Cline Hat Strap Chardonnay is produced from 100% Chardonnay that is hand harvested. The grapes are immediately pressed and settled for 24 hours to remove some solid, while retaining enough to create a full textured wine. After inoculation, a cool fermentation begins in a mixture of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels. It then undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation. It then spends extended time on lees with periodic stirring. The wine is aged for 10 months in 35% new French Oak barrels, 35% in neutral barrels and the balance in stainless steel tanks.

This Cline Chardonnay is medium-gold in color with aromas of baked apple and pear. On the palate it is creamy smooth with hints of apple, pear and citrus. It finishes really nice. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Cline Cellars via Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Josh Cellars Prosecco

Josh Prosecco

Many years ago, Josh Cellars founder Joseph Carr worked at a winery in Italy, falling in love with the country and with Italian wines. These sparkling wines are the first from Josh Cellars. They were created in 2019 in partnership with the Pozzi Family - a small family wine producer in Italy - as a ode to this their beautiful country.

Josh Prosecco ($14.99)

The grapes for this sparkling wine are from vineyards between Conegliano Veneto and Valdobbiadene in the Prosecco DOC appellation. The grapes were pressed immediately following harvest to extract maximum flavor. The juice was then fermented twice in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and produce the carbonation. On the nose, this Prosecco has hints of green apples, pear and citrus. On the palate it is lightly effervescent with refreshing acidity and a very light touch of sweetness.

Josh Prosecco Rosé ($14.99)

The grapes for this sparkling rosé are also from vineyards between Conegliano Veneto and Valdobbiadene in the Prosecco DOC appellation. The grapes include Glera and Pinot Noir. After pressing, the juice is kept in contact with the Pinot Noir skins for a short time to give it the beautiful rosé color. Again, this Prosecco Rosé is fermented twice. On the nose it has delicate aromas while on the palate it has nice notes of cherry and berry, refreshing acidity and a wonderful light touch of sweetness on the finish.

Both of these Josh Prosecco sparkling wines are available on-line from Josh Cellars as well as nationwide on Drizly, Total Wine and more. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Samples Provided by Josh Cellars

Behind the Cork™ - Vilarnau Organic Cavas

Vilarnau Cava

These two wonderful Cavas are from Vilarnau in Spain. And, they are made with organic grapes!

The winery is a small, artisanal, hand crafted Cava house located outside of Barcelona that dates back to 1949. Made in the traditional méthode champenoise, the Vilarnau bottles honor their Catalan roots with wrapping that reflects the beautiful avant-­garde imagery of Antoni Gaudí.

  • Vilarnau Brut Reserva NV ($14.99) This Brut Cava is made from three varietals: 50% Macabeo, 35% Parellada, 15% Xarel.lo. They are each made separately. The first fermentation for each varietal takes place over 30 days before being blended. The second fermentation occurs the traditional way, in the bottle, where the yeast turns the wines in to Cava with its characteristic bubbles. It is classified as a "Reserva" because it was aged for more than 15 months in the bottle.

  • Vilarnau Brut Reserva Rosé NV ($15.99) This rosé Cava is produced from 85% Garnacha and 15% Pinot Noir. They are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks for 30 days. They are then blended and bottled to start the second fermentation which takes about six weeks. It then stays in contact with the yeast for at least 15 months in the bottle during the aging process which qualifies this Cava as a “Reserva.” It has delicate flavors of ripe strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. It’s smooth, creamy and refreshing. This bottle is always a strong favorite when served!

Vilarnau cavas are imported by González Byass USA and are distributed nationally. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Samples Provided by González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Levendi Sweetwater Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Levendi Sweetwater Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($60)

According to Lavendi Winery, “The Mediterranean cultures know how to celebrate. A good meal and a good wine seem reason enough to call together the people that matter most. And that's how the Levendi legacy began—around the family table with laughter and a wish to produce something special and unique. We think that spirit is reflected throughout the vineyards, winery and within each bottle—a testament to our family and founders.”

This Sweetwater Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in color with very delicate dark fruit aromas. This wine is full-bodied with rich dark fruit flavors, medium oak flavors, firm tannin and a rich finish that is long-lasting.

Levendi states “We live in the vineyards. We know our vines. We hand-harvest our grapes. And we're committed to producing intriguing wines from using primarily French oak barrels.”

This Levendi Sweetwater Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is a great find. It’s available directly from Levendi Winery and can also be found at Total Wine. At this price for a Napa Cab, it’s a super fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Levendi Winery