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WSET Diploma D3 - Wines of the World > 23. California - Intro & North Coast > Flashcards

23. California - Intro & North Coast Flashcards

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1
Q

Why is the Pacific Ocean by California cooler than the Atlantic Ocean by the east coast? (2)

A

1) The California current bringing cold water from the north
2) Upwelling (the process whereby deep cold water rises to the surface)

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2
Q

What are the four main overarching regions within the North Coast of California?

A

1) North Coast - Mendocino
2) North Coast - Lake County
3) North Coast - Sonoma County
4) North Coast - Napa County

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3
Q

What are the four main overarching regions outside of the North Coast of California?

A

1) Central Coast
2) Central Valley
3) South Coast
4) Sierra Foothills

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4
Q

Fog can form in California’s wine regions. What is a positive and a negative this can have?

A

1) Creates a cooling effect
2) Can inhibit sunlight onto the vines

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5
Q

Why is sunlight intense in California’s wine regions?

A

Its latitude of 32–42° N

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6
Q

Altitude can be a cooling influence in some areas but why might they not benefit from the cooling influence of fog?

A

They’re above the layer of fog exposing them to intense low latitude sunlight

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7
Q

What are three key weather hazards affecting viticulture in California?

A

1) Drought
2) Fire/smoke
3) Spring frost

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8
Q

What is California’s general climate?

A

Mediterranean - dry during the growing season

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9
Q

What is a bacterial disease of concern in California?

A

Pierce’s disease, spread by leafhopper insects

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10
Q

Why is the level of organic certification low in California?

A

In the USA, to be labelled as Organic Wine, there must have been no addition of SO2 in the winemaking process

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11
Q

What are the two most planted grape varieties in California?

A

1) Chardonnay
2) Cabernet Sauvignon

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12
Q

What are five other significant red varieties planted in California?

A

1) Pinot Noir
2) Zinfandel
3) Merlot
4) Syrah
5) Petite Sirah/Durif

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13
Q

California Cabernet is generally matured in what type of oak?

A

New French

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14
Q

When does Petite Sirah ripen?

A

Late so is best grown in the state’s warmer areas

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15
Q

What are three other significant white varieties planted in California?

A

1) French Colombard
2) Pinot Gris
3) Sauvignon Blanc

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16
Q

What might Sauvignon Blanc also be labelled as in California?

A

Fume Blanc

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17
Q

What is Zinfandel prone to in the vineyard?

A

Uneven ripening

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18
Q

Zinfandel often sees maturation in what type of oak?

A

American

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19
Q

Where a single grape variety is mentioned what per cent of the wine must be from that named variety?

A

75%

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20
Q

How is White Zinfandel produced? (3)

A

1) Short maceration
2) Cool fermentation in steel
3) Arrested fermentation around 10.5-11%

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21
Q

At least what per cent of the grapes must come from any named county?

A

75%

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22
Q

Premium Merlot can be found in what two Napa AVAs?

A

1) Stags Leap
2) Oak Knoll

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23
Q

If an AVA is mentioned on a label, at least what per cent of the grapes must come from that AVA?

A

85%

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24
Q

Vineyard names may appear on the label if at least what per cent of the grapes are from that vineyard?

A

95%

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25
Q

At least what per cent of the grapes must come from any stated vintage if the wine is labelled with
an AVA?

A

95%

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26
Q

At least what per cent of the grapes must come from any stated vintage if the wine is labelled with a county or the state?

A

85%

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27
Q

What has led to the creation and approval of a number of very large AVAs permitting some of the state’s largest producers that may have vineyards and wineries far apart to legitimately label some of their premium wines as ‘estate bottled’?

A

Wineries can only use the term ‘estate bottled’ if the wine has been made and bottled at the producer’s winery, and from grapes from vineyards owned or controlled by the producer that are within the same AVA.

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28
Q

What model prevalent across California means producers can make a wide variety of wines?

A

Many wine producers are merchants or grower-merchants i.e. a lot of fruit is bought from growers to create a wide range of styles

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29
Q

Grape prices can vary according to supply and demand. What practice has become prevalent to keep up with the latest consumer demands?

A

Head-grafting

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30
Q

What is the California trade body called?

A

Wine Institute of California

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31
Q

What is the world’s largest wine company founded in California?

A

E & J Gallo

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32
Q

Name a cult California winery

A

Screaming Eagle

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33
Q

What runs through the middle of the North Coast AVA dividing Mendocino and Lake County?

A

The Mayacamas Mountains

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34
Q

What is the most well known Mendocino County AVA?

A

Anderson Valley AVA

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35
Q

What is a viticultural hazard for Anderson Valley?

A

(Spring) frost

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36
Q

Along which river is cold air and fog funnelled inland to the Anderson Valley AVA?

A

Navarro River

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37
Q

What are the two most commonly planted varieties in Anderson Valley AVA?

A

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

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38
Q

Name an inland AVA of Mendocino County and a variety it specialises in

A

1) Redwood Valley
2) Zinfandel

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39
Q

Name a significant producer of Anderson Valley AVA

A

Littorai

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40
Q

Explain why Lake County AVA is warm and dry?

A

It is in the rain shadow of the Mayacamas Mountains to the west and the Vaca Range to the east

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41
Q

What is the Largest AVA of Lake County with four sub-AVAs?

A

Clear Lake AVA (4 sub-AVAs)

42
Q

Describe the topography of Lake County AVA (2)

A

1) The lake takes up half the AVA provides afternoon breezes.
2) Vineyards are planted on the slopes and ridges around the lake at 400–450m

43
Q

Describe the orientation of Anderson Valley AVA

A

Runs from north-west, only a few kms from the Pacific, to south-east further inland

44
Q

Besides Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, what other wine style/varieties might be found in Anderson Valley AVA

A

Aromatic Alsace-style white wines

45
Q

What are the two main varieties of Lake County and what are they often used for?

A

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Sauvignon Blanc
3) Inexpensive multi-regional blends

46
Q

What are the three large, overarching, overlapping Sonoma County AVAs?

A

1) Northern Sonoma AVA
2) Sonoma Coast AVA
3) Sonoma Valley AVA

47
Q

What are four exclusive AVAs incorporated into Northern Sonoma AVA?

A

1) Alexander Valley
2) Knights Valley
3) Rockpile
4) Dry Creek Valley

48
Q

What are two AVAs that overlap between Northern Sonoma and Sonoma Coast?

A

1) Chalk Hill
2) Russian River Valley

49
Q

What two geographical features help define Northern Sonoma AVA?

A

1) Mayacamas mountains to the east
2) The Russian River, which flows
through filling underground aquifers providing water for
vineyards

50
Q

The Petaluma Gap cools which three AVAs (excluding the eponymous AVA)

A

1) Alexander Valley AVA
2) Russian River Valley AVA
3) Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA

51
Q

Describe the two vineyard locations and their soils of Alexander Valley AVA

A

1) Valley floor (100m) with fertile soils
2) West/southwest facing slopes and benchlands of the Mayacamas mountains (750mm) with less fertile soil

52
Q

What is the most planted variety in Alexander Valley AVA and what style is it produced in?

A

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Full-bodied with ripe flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, dried herbs and chocolate

53
Q

Explain the difference in flavour profile between low altitude and high altitude Cabernet in Alexander Valley AVA

A

1) Valley floor tend to have less tannin
2) Slopes and benchlands tend to be more structured and concentrated due to high sunshine and altitude extending ripening

54
Q

What is the warmest Sonoma Coast AVA? Why? (2)

A

1) Knights Valley AVA
2) Inland
3) Sheltered by hills from the Pacific

55
Q

What are the soils of Knights Valley AVA

A

Free-draining volcanic

56
Q

What two varieties is Dry Creek Valley AVA best known for?

A

1) Old vine Zinfandel
2) Sauvignon Blanc

57
Q

What are the two geographical factors that impact Dry Creek Valley AVA?

A

1) Sheltered by coastal mountains to the west
2) Mountains on either side of the valley funnel cool ocean air and fogs from San Pablo Bay in the south

58
Q

What impact does the San Pablo Bay have on Dry Creek Valley AVA?

A

Cool ocean air and fog in the afternoon and evenings gives cooler nights helping to retain acidity in the grapes

59
Q

What are the soils of Dry Creek Valley AVA?

A

1) Gravel sandy loam on the valley floor
2) Gravel red clay loam on the slopes and benches.

60
Q

In which two areas of Dry Creek Valley AVA are the Zinfandels riper, jammier?

A

1) In the North
And/or
2) West-facing

61
Q

Name a key producer of Dry Creek Valley AVA

A

Ridge

62
Q

Explain the vineyard topography of Rockpile AVA

A

The vineyards are planted on steep rocky slopes and must be above 244m (up to 650m) to be within the AVA

63
Q

What impact does Lake Sonoma have on Rockpile AVA?

A

The lake creates an inversion layer, which keeps the vineyards relatively warm at night.

64
Q

What does the compulsory elevation of Rockpile AVA mean for the growing environment?

A

The vineyards sit above the fog layer, which stays close to the lake, meaning that they are exposed to long hours of sunshine.

65
Q

Why are the yields often low and the fruit concentrated in Rockpile AVA?

A

Shallow, free-draining soils and windy conditions lead to high evapotranspiration

66
Q

Name a Rockpile AVA producer

A

Seghesio

67
Q

What are the two sub-AVAs of Russian River AVA?

A

1) Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA
2) Chalk Hill AVA

68
Q

What are the two most planted varieties in Russian River Valley AVA?

A

Chardonnay
Pinot Noir

69
Q

What varieties are planted in the inland and northeast corner of Russian River Valley AVA? (4)

A

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Merlot
3) Zinfandel
4) Riper styles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

70
Q

What are the two AVAs located solely in Sonoma Coast AVA?

A

1) Fort Ross Seaview AVA
2) Petaluma Gap AVA

71
Q

Where within Russian River Valley is Chalk Hill AVA?

A

The northeast corner bordering with Sonoma where it is inland and blocked from some the of Pacific breezes meaning Cabernet is planted here

72
Q

What AVA overlaps between Napa and Sonoma Coast?

A

Los Carneros

73
Q

What is a regulation of Fort Ross Seaview AVA’s vineyards and what does it mean?

A

1) Wines must be made from vineyards over 280m.
2) This altitude means the vineyards sit above the fog layer and so gain longer hours of sunshine and warmth

74
Q

What is specific about Petaluma Gap AVA?

A

It’s open to the Pacific at one end and the San Pablo Bay at the other meaning high-speed (12km/h) coastal winds flow throughout the AVA

75
Q

What viticultural hazard is caused by the wind in the Petaluma Gap AVA?

A

The wind is strong enough to cause leaf stomata to close, slowing respiration and photosynthesis

76
Q

Where is the Sonoma Valley AVA?

A

Located in the south eastern part of Sonoma Count and the southern end opens straight on to San Pablo Bay.

77
Q

Sonoma Valley includes which three smaller sub-appellations?

A

1) Sonoma Mountain AVA
2) Bennett Valley AVA
3) Carneros AVA towards the south

78
Q

Describe the growing conditions of Sonoma Mountain AVA (3)

A

1) East-facing, steep slopes (730m) within the Sonoma mountain range
2) Above the fog line
4) Cold air coming down from the mountains can give cool nights

79
Q

What are the four leading varieties planted in the warmer sites of Sonoma Mountain AVA?

A

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Merlot
3) Zinfandel
4) Syrah

80
Q

Sonoma Mountain AVA’s cooler, west sites are planted with which three varieties?

A

1) Chardonnay
2) Sauvignon Blanc
3) Semillon

81
Q

Describe the growing conditions of Bennett Valley AVA (2)

A

1) Surrounded by hills giving warm sheltered conditions in the day
2) Cool air and fog flows into the valley through a break in the hills at night

82
Q

Carneros AVA’s proximity to the San Pablo Bay means what?

A

It’s affected by fog and cold winds in the morning and evening, though daytimes are usually warm and sunny

83
Q

Name a Carneros producer

A

Kistler

84
Q

What two varieties is Carneros AVA best known for?

A

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, sometimes made into sparkling

85
Q

How big in km2 is the Napa Valley?

A

50 kilometres long by 8 wide

86
Q

What mountains are to the west of Napa Valley?

A

Mayacamas mountains providing shelter the valley from the cold Pacific Ocean

87
Q

What mountains are to the east of Napa Valley?

A

Vaca mountains providing shelter from the hot Central Valley

88
Q

What bay is Napa Valley open to?

A

San Pablo Bay in the south

89
Q

What impact does the San Pablo Bay have on Napa Valley?

A

As the vineyards heat up during the day, air rises and pulls cool air and
fog from the bay up the valley in the afternoon.

90
Q

Provide three Napa AVA examples where the cold air and fog is particularly felt and why

A

1) Carneros AVA
2) Coombsville AVA
3) Oak Knoll AVA
4) The valley floor vineyards sit under the fog layer

91
Q

Explain the reason for the high diurnal range of Napa’s valley floor AVAs

A

The fog doesn’t burn off until well into the morning limiting the hours of warmth and sunlight

92
Q

What is the main grape variety of Coombsville and Oak Knoll AVAs?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

93
Q

Provide four examples of Napa AVAs further north on the valley floor less impacted by the San Pablo Bay’s extremes and what is their main black and white grape variety?

A

1) Yountville AVA
2) Stags Leap District AVA
3) Oakville AVA
4) Rutherford AVA

Cabernet Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc

94
Q

What are two furthest north valley floor AVAs with barely any SBP influence?

A

1) St Helena AVA
2) Calistoga AVA

95
Q

What are five Napa Valley AVAs on the mountain sides with cooling influences due to elevation above the fog layer

A

1) Mount Veeder AVA
2) Atlas Peak AVA
3) Howell Mountain AVA
4) Spring Mountain District AVA
5) Diamond Mountain District AVA

96
Q

Describe the typical Napa Valley mountain soil

A

Thin and poor in nutrients, restricting vigour and leading to reduced yields of small, concentrated grapes.

97
Q

Describe the soils middle and east of the Napa Valley floor

A

High fertility silt and clay

98
Q

Other than the popularity and prestige of Napa Valley wines, what also contributes to the high prices of its wines?

A

Almost all viable and permitted vineyard land has been planted.

99
Q

How are Napa Valley vines typically trained and pruned?

A

Cordon or replacement spur, with VSP trellising

100
Q

What variety accounts for 40% of plantings and 55% of crop value in Napa?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

101
Q

What three Sonoma AVAs sit above the fog line?

A

1) Rockpile AVA
2) Fort Ross Seaview AVA
3) Sonoma Mountain AVA

WSET Diploma D3 - Wines of the World (42 decks)

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