23.4 - 23.7 - Central Coast and Valley, Sierra Foothills, South Coast

Question 1

Describe the size and situation of the Central Coast AVA.

Answer 1

Large AVA running from San Francisco to Santa Barbara - 450km long, 95km inland

Question 2

Name the key moderating influences in Central Coast and give examples of AVAs which are exposed to them.

Answer 2

1. Coastal breezes - all have valleys that funnel cool air

• Monterey
• Edna Valley
• Santa Maria Valley

2. Altitude

• Santa Cruz Mountains
• Paso Robles

Question 3

Describe the growing environment of Monterey. Relate it to the style and quality of wine produced.

1. Climate
2. Topography
3. Soils
4. Grapes
5. Quality

Answer 3

Climate cooling influence from Bay, diminishing inland

Topography largely flat

Soils sandy loam + gravel → req irrigation from River

Grapes varied → temp diff. Chard 50%, PN, Riesling → near ocean; Cab, Merlot, Zin → further inland

Quality flat land + availability of irrigation water → high vol, inexp wines labelled cross-regional blends

Question 4

Describe the size, situation and growing environment of Paso Robles. Relate it to the style and quality of wine produced.

Answer 4

Size 3x Napa → broken down into many sub-AVAs → varied growing conditions

Situation S Monterey AVA

Topography valley floor → mountains 670m

Climate warmer E further from ocean; breeze 2 W

Soils Calcareous soil (uncommon in California) + clay allow dry farming

Grapes Mainly black, Cab (40%), Rhone varieties

Quality Inexp/high vol → some HQ

Question 5

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?

Answer 5

• Transverse Ranges run W→E = powerful funnel effect
• Temps lower + air circulation reduces frost/fungal risk
• Known for P.N + Chard with highish acid + high alcohol

Some S.B, Cab, Rhone varieties

Question 6

Name 3 notable AVAs in Santa Barbara County. Describe what makes them notable.

Answer 6

Santa Ynez Valley cool coastal + warm inland temps:

1. Sta. Rita Hills W, coolest + calcium-rich soils → prem P.N
2. Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara E, valley turns N-S → blocks ocean influence but altitude mod → Cab, S.B, Syrah, Grenache

Question 7

Contrast the growing environment of the Central Valley with coastal areas.

Answer 7

• Oceanic influence reduced
• Topography flat
• Rainfall very low → irrigation
• Soil fertile

Question 8

What grape varieties are commonly grown in the Central Valley area. Describe the style of wine for each (5)

Answer 8

Colombard blended + labelled as another variety (only need 75% for SV) or labelled “dry white/fruity white”

Chardonnay RS, med acid, unoaked/oak alt

Muscat aromatic simple wines, dry or RS

Zinfandel reds (jammy, oak alt), rose (med pink, med-dry, low alc, med acid, confected)

Merlot med acid/tannin, plummy unoaked/oak alt

Question 9

How is most wine made in Central Valley labelled?

Answer 9

“California”

Question 10

How does the growing environment of Lodi AVA differ from Central Valley?

how is it similar?

Answer 10

Lodi → cooling breezes from Bay

Similarities…

• hot Med
• flat
• irrigated vines → soils(free-draining)
• high evapotranspiration
• low rainfall

Question 11

Outline differences and similarities in vineyard management between Lodi AVA and the rest of Central Valley

Answer 11

Similarities

• vines trained/pruned → mechanisation
• varieties

Differences

• old bush vine Zin - sandy soil means no phylloxera

Question 12

Describe the range of price-quality produced in Lodi.

Which sub-AVA is best known for quality Zinfandel?

Answer 12

Good-VG, some outst, inexp-prem

Mokelumne River AVA - old-vine Zin

Question 13

Where is Clarksburg AVA? Describe its growing environment. Which unusual grapes is it known for?

Answer 13

• W Lodi
• Similar Lodi climate esp. mod via Delta
• Chenin Blanc + Petite Sirah

Question 14

Describe the key differences in growing conditions between the Central Valley and the Sierra Foothills (3).

Answer 14

both hot climates with temps 35-40c …

• Sierra Foothills mod by altitude → 1000m in El Dorado AVA
• Sandy loam from granite → enables dry farming
• Best known for better Q wine esp. old vine Zin

Question 15

Describe the siutation, growing environment and wines of the South Coast.

What challenges has this large AVA encountered?

Answer 15

Situation LA to Mexico

Growing environment Warm/hot (latitude), mod coastal breeze

Wines Chard, Cab, Zin, Chenin

Challenges Vineyard land had to compete with development, Pierce’s