33 - California Flashcards
What is California’s climate?
warm, bright sun, cooling influences from ocean and altitude.
California Ocean Current is exceptionally cold and is one of major influences. The coast line is mountainous and protects CA from some of the cooling influence.
Fogs draw in the cold air in the evening and lower night time temps and extend into daytime.
Sometimes the cooling influence from ocean is so dramatic that grapes struggle ripen during day.
Lack of rain during ripening season. This allows growers to allow grapes on vine for longer, giving them more time to concentrate flavors and accumulate sugar.
What is the most widely planted black grape in California? What are its key characteristics?
Cabernet Sauvignon
full-bodied, ripe cassis flavors, prominent spice aromas from new oak.
can also be made in less rich style with fresher blackcurrant flavors.
What are the key characteristics of Zinfandel, California’s ‘own’ grape variety?
harvested fruit can include raisined and underripe grapes. the raising leads to full-bodied and concentrated reds with high alcohol, sometimes with R.S.
red and black fruits, dried berries, licorice. Subtle herbaceousness from underripe grapes sometimes.
Rose Zinfandel (commonly referred to as White Zinfandel) is made from grapes picked early - fruity, pale, medium-sweet, low alcohol.
Aside from Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, what are the black grapes commonly planted in California and what are their characteristics?
Merlot: approachable, soft tannins, ripe black fruit. Largest plantings in San Joaquin valley but better quality come from cooler sites (Monterey, North Coast, Napa and Sonoma). - Soft, velvety tannins, luscious body, high alcohol, classic varietal blackberry plum.
Pinot Noir: premium Pinot from moderate regions (Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Santa Maria Vallye). Styles range widely, some are light colo, gamey and vegetal, most show ripe red fruit and sweet spice from oak.
Syrah: planted across CA - usually made in full bodied rich style, though some producers make a leaner, more peppery style
What are the main white varieties of California and what are their characteristics?
Chardonnay: most planted variety (black or white) of CA. varies widely in style from inexpensive high volume wines from Central Valley (fruity, low to medium acid, toasty from oak), to the well-known style known in the past of premium Chard that was high alc, full bodied, peach, hazelnut, butter. these days there is wide variety including more restrained examples with less oak from cooler regions like Los Carneros and Russian river valley.
Sauvignon Blanc: best examples from California’s coastal regions. ->high acid, ripe citrus
Central Valley produces affordable, fruity wines.
sometimes oaked style of Sauvignon BLanc is called Fume blanc.
Where is the majority of California wine produced and why is this area important?
Central Valley - soil is fertile. Irrigation is used to increase yield.
What are the three region of California that contain the majority of the well-known County Appellations and AVAs?
North Coast, Central Coast and Central Valley
Where is California’s North Coast located? What is the climate here?
vineyards to north of San Francisco bay.
Climate: strongly influenced by the ocean, which brings fog and breezes that flow through gaps in coastal ranges and river valleys.
What are the main counties located in the North Coast?
Napa County and Sonoma and Mendocino counties
True/False: Napa Valley AVA has the most expensive vineyard land and some of the most prestigious wineries of California
True
What are the climate influences of Napa Valley AVA?
The most significant influences are the morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay (to north of San Francisco Bay) that moderate temps.
What are the AVAs of Napa County?
Napa Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Stags leap District (Oakville and Rutherford), Saint Helena AVA, Calistoga AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Mount Veeder AVA
What are the characteristics of wines produced from the principal AVAs of Napa County?
Los Carneros AVA: the most southerly vineyard area. source of high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. still and sparkling.
Stags Leap District: Oakville and Rutherford AVA. further north than Los Carneros, climate becomes warmer and able to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon. Rutherford is particularly warm during day - red wines with most power and structure. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are main white grapes in these AVAs with ripe tropical fruit. Merlot also widely planted.
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA: warmest daytime temperatures and can produce some of the most full-bodied wines in the valley. These are further north than Los Carneros/rutherford/Oakville. focus is on Cabernet, but Zinfandel and Syrah also grown.
Valley side vineyards (as opposed to those on valley floor):
Howell Mountain AVA: full exposure to hot afternoon sun due to the aspect which is west-facing.
Mount Veeder AVA: fuller-bodied wine, higher alcohol. Red wines of valley sides have greater levels of tannin, less richness on the palate than those of the valley floor. Cabernet is main variety. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel also grown (depending on location). Chardonnay is amin white variety. The valley sides’ Chardonnay has greater acidity with citrus and stone fruit.
What are the AVAs of Sonoma County and what are their characteristics?
Sonoma is larger than Napa county - greater variety of climates.
Russian River Valley AVA: very cool, foggy conditions due to break in coastal ranges called Petaluma Gap. known for high quality, elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays and sparkling wines from Pinot and Chardonnay.
AVAs to north of Russian River Valley are warmer:
Dry Creek Valley AVA: planted densely on hillsides and its floor.
Alexander Valley AVA - warm, wines are fleshy and full-bodied. reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma Coast AVA to the west - climate is influenced by cold Pacific Ocean. Vineyards are often planted on south facing slopes, to maximize ripening.
Where is Mendocino County located? What are characteristics of its wines?
It is north of Sonoma County on Pacific Coast. it is a large and diverse region.
Aromatic white wines from Anderson Valley - Riesling and Gewurtztraminer, and sparkling wines.
Mendocino AVA - warmer and drier. Full body, soft tannin, often made from Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Syrah.
