23.4 - 23.7 - Central Coast and Valley, Sierra Foothills, South Coast Flashcards
Describe the size and situation of the Central Coast AVA.
Large AVA running from San Francisco to Santa Barbara - 450km long, 95km inland
Name the key moderating influences in Central Coast and give examples of AVAs which are exposed to them.
1. Coastal breezes
Monterey - Monterey Bay is has a deep canyon –> afternoon breezes are cold and powerful running through the Salinas River Valley
Edna Valley - just 8km from Ocean with a NW-SE valley to funnel cold air, one of the coolest Californian AVAs
Santa Maria Valley - west-east valley which funnels cool air
2. Altitude
Santa Cruz Mountains - up to 800m ridgeline, cool air slips down in evening so nights are relatively warm
Santa Lucia Highlands - alluvial terraces above Salinas Valley, vineyards planted up to 350m (also cooled by afternoon breeze and fog –> can slow ripening due to closed stomata)
Paso Robles - varied growing environment but some vineyards up to 670m of elevation
Give an example of two AVAs in Central Coast that encompass different growing environments. How do they alter the wine they produce?
Monterey - north of valley is very exposed to cool sea breeze –> Pinot Noir, Riesling; inland valley less exposed –> Cab, Merlot, Syrah, Zin; Chardonnay is main planting and grows in both areas
Arroyo Seco - valley floor are exposed to sea breeze –> Chardonnay, Riesling; vineyards in the Canyon are protected –> warmer –> Cab, Syrah, Zinfandel
Describe the growing environment of Monterey. Relate it to the style and quality of wine produced.
Climate sometimes powerful cooling influence from Monterey Bay, diminishing inland
Topography largely flat
Soils sandy loam and gravel –> requires irrigation from Salinas River
Grapes varied due to temp differences. Chardonnay is 50% of plantings. Pinot Noir, Riesling near ocean; Cab, Merlot, Zin further inland
Quality flat land and availability of irrigation water –> high vol, inexpensive wines labelled including cross-regional blends
Describe the size, situation and growing environment of Paso Robles. Relate it to the style and quality of wine produced.
Size 250,000ha, three times size of Napa –> broken down into 11 sub-AVAs due to varied growing conditions
Situation San Luis Obispo county, directly south of Monterey AVA
Topography valley floor –> mountains 670m
Climate warmer in east further from ocean; Templeton Gap allows breeze to reach further inland to westerly AVAs
Soils Calcareous soil (uncommon in California) + clay allow dry farming
Grapes Mainly black with Cab (40% of total plantings), usual suspects + Rhone varieties
Quality Inexpensive/high vol with some HQ wines e.g. Tablas Creek
How do the AVAs in Santa Barbara county differ from those in the rest of the Central Coast?
What styles of wine are they known for?
Transverse Ranges range runs west-east which provides a powerful funnelling effect
Temps are significantly lower + air circulation reduces frost and fungal disease risk
Known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with med(+)-high acid, med-med(+) body and high alcohol
Some AVAs also produce Savvy B, Cab, Rhone varieties
Name three notable AVAs in Santa Barbara County. Describe what makes them notable.
Santa Ynez Valley cool coastal + warm inland temps incl…
Sta. Rita Hills western edge of Santa Ynez with coolest temperatures + calcium-rich soils –> especially known for PN which can command premium/SP prices
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara eastern most end, valley turns N-S which blocks ocean influence but altitude moderates –> Cab, Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache
Contrast the growing environment of the Central Valley with coastal areas.
Oceanic influence is greatly/entirely reduced, day time temps 35-40c
Topography is flat throughout much of the valley
Rainfall very low –> vineyards require irrigation
Soil fertile throughout valley
What grape varieties are commonly grown in the Central Valley area. Describe the style of wine for each (5)
Colombard neutral white often blended with others and labelled as another variety (only need 75% to label single variety) or labelled “dry white/fruity white”
Chardonnay some RS, med acid, unoaked or oak alternatives
Muscat aromatic simple wines made dry or with RS
Zinfandel either for reds (soft, jammy, oak alternatives) or rose (med pink, med-dry, low alc, med acid, med body, confected)
Merlot med acid and tannin, plummy unoaked or with oak alternative
Name two notable producers in Central Valley.
E & J Gallo - largest wine company globally, sells 6.3 mhL
Bronco Wine Company - many brands including Charles Shaw
How is most wine made in Central Valley labelled?
“California” - Central Valley nor San Joaquin Valley nor Sacramento Valley have AVAs
How does the growing environment of Lodi AVA differ from Central Valley?
Otherwise, how is it similar?
Lodi is exposed to cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay and Sacra-San Joaquin Delta
Similarities…
Climate remains hot and Mediterranean, if less so than the rest of Central Valley
Topography is flat
Free draining sand/clay-loam soils –> irrigation is a necessity
Outline differences and similarities in vineyard management between Lodi AVA and the rest of Central Valley
Similarities
Almost vineyards are irrigated due to free-draining soil, high evapotranspiration and low rainfall
Most vineyards pruned and trained to allow for mechanisation –> cordon=trained and VSP (RCP requires more labour)
All grapes planted in CV are also seen in Lodi especially Zinfandel
Differences
Some bush vines especially old vine Zin - sandy soil means no phylloxera
Wider array of grapes from across the world including
Describe the range of price-quality produced in Lodi.
Which sub-AVA is best known for quality Zinfandel?
Good-VG, some outstanding priced at inexpensive-premium
Mokelumne River AVA - home to most of Lodi’s old-vine Zinfandel
Where is Clarksburg AVA? Describe its growing environment. Which unusual grapes is it known for?
SW of Sacramento, near Lodi
Similar Lodi climate esp. moderating via Delta
Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah
