33 - California Flashcards
length of California from north to south
1100 km
(til sammenligning: Norge er 1700 km)
influence on climate for California
- latitude plays a relatively small role
- the exceptionally cold California Ocean Current is much more crucial
- north of Los Angeles the coast line of California is mountainous
–> shield much of the state from the cooling effect of the ocean
–> in areas that are affected, the cooling effect can be marked -
cold air, often accompanied by fogs, is drawn in from the ocean in the evening
–> lowering night-time temperatures
–> the time it takes for the sun to burn off the fog in the morning means that the cooling influence extends well into the day - the cooling effect can be so dramatic in vy near the coast that, in some years, grapes can struggle to fully ripen
- where there are gaps in the mountains, the cooling effect can reach well inland
- valleys that lie at right angles to the ocean, such as those in Monterey & Santa Barbara Counties, act as funnels for the cold air
- where there is no exposure to the ocean, such as in the Central Valley, the climate is hot
- hazard in California
- how to avoid
- positive
- lack of rain during the ripening season –> water shortage are a real concers
- drip irrigation is widely practised
- scarcity of autumn rain has always allowed growers to leave the grapes on the vine long into the season
–> this extra ‘hang time’ results in very ripe grapes with very concentrated flavours & very high sugar levels
–> more recently, there has been a greater appreciation of freshness, and many growers are now picking slightly earlier
most widely planted black grape in California
CS
CS in California
- the most widely planted black grape
- full-bodied
- very concentrated ripe cassis flavours
- prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels
- some producers choose to make CS in a less rich style, with fresher blackcurrant flavours
Black grapes in California (5)
- CS
- Zinfandel
- Merlot
- PN
- Syrah
California’s ‘own’ grape variety
Zinfandel
Zinfandel in California
- ripen unevenly
Red
- concentrated, full-bodied
- high alcohol
- sometimes with small amounts of residual sugar
- red & black fruits, dried berries, liquorice
- some can display a subtle herbaceous quality from underripe grapes
Rosé
- early-picked grapes
- white zinfandel
- fruity
- pale in colour
- medium-sweet
- low in alcohol
Merlot in California
- general
- largest plantings
- better-quality
- widely planted
- approachable wines
- soft tannins
- ripe black fruit
largest plantings
- San Joaquin in Central Valley
- simple, inexpensive wines
better-quality
- from cooler sites such as Monterey & the North Coast regions, especially Napa & Sonoma
- deeply coloured
- soft, velvety tannins
- luscious body
- high alcohol
- classic varietal flavours of blackberry & plum
premium Pinot Noir in California can come from
(3 ex)
moderate regions such as
- Russian River Valley
- Los Carneros
- Santa Maria Valley
styles of Pinot Noir in California
- styles range widely, according to the vy site & wm practices
some:
- light in colour
- classic gamey & vegetal notes
most:
- rich layers of ripe red fruit flavours
(red cherry, strawberry & notes of sweet spice from oak maturation)
Syrah in California
- planted across the state
- typically made in a full-bodied, rich style
- some producers make leaner, more peppery styles
white varieties in California (2)
- Chardonnay
- SB
most planted grape variety in California
Chardonnay
style of Chardonnay in California
- wide variation of production styles
inexpensive, high-volume wines from the Central Valley
- fruity
- low-medium acidity
- sometimes a toasty note from oak staves or chips
high-quality - in the past:
- full-bodied
- high in alcohol
- low in acidity
- obvious flavours of oak, hazelnut & butter
- peach & banana fruit flavours
high-quality - today
- wide variety
- restrained examples with less oak from cooler regions such as Los Carneros & Russian River Valley
Sauvignon Blanc in California
best: coastal regions
- high acidity
- ripe citrus flavours
affordable, fruity, everyday wines
- come from warmer regions such as the Central Valley
- Fumé Blanc is sometimes used to indicate an oaked styel, but some producers use this term for unoaked wines
- the majority of California wine is produced …
- why?
- primarily in the Central Valley
- the soil is very fertile & irrigation is used to increase yield
- How many regions are the principal vineyards of California grouped into?
- What are the 3 regions which contain the majority of the well-known County Appellations & AVAs
- 5
1. North Coast
2. Central Coast
3. Central Valley
3 regions in California, 5 counties, and its AVAs (19+7+1)
North Coast
–> Napa County (12)
- Los Carneros
- Stags Leap District
- Yountville
- Oakville
- Rutherford
- Saint Helena
- Calistoga
- Howell Mountain
- Atlas Peak
- Diamont Mountain District
- Spring Mountain District
- Mount Veeder
–> Sonoma County (5)
- Russian River Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
- Alexander Valley
- Sonoma Coast
- Sonoma Valley
–> Mendocino County (2)
- Anderson Valley
- Mendocino
Central Coast
- Santa Cruz Mountains
- Monterey
- Santa Lucia Highlands
- Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County
- Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County
- Santa Ynez Valley
- Sta. Rita Hills
Central Valley
(encompasses the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys)
- Lodi
3 counties & AVAs of the North Coast of California (12+5+2)
North Coast
–> Napa County (12)
- Los Carneros
- Stags Leap District
- Yountville
- Oakville
- Rutherford
- Saint Helena
- Calistoga
- Howell Mountain
- Atlas Peak
- Diamont Mountain District
- Spring Mountain District
- Mount Veeder
–> Sonoma County (5)
- Russian River Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
- Alexander Valley
- Sonoma Coast
- Sonoma Valley
–> Mendocino County (2)
- Anderson Valley
- Mendocino
AVAs of Napa County (12)
- Los Carneros
- Stags Leap District
- Yountville
- Oakville
- Rutherford
- Saint Helena
- Calistoga
- Howell Mountain
- Atlas Peak
- Diamont Mountain District
- Spring Mountain District
- Mount Veeder
AVAs of Sonoma County (5)
- Russian River Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
- Alexander Valley
- Sonoma Coast
- Sonoma Valley
AVAs of Mendocino County (2)
- Anderson Valley
- Mendocino
AVAs of the Central Coast of California (7)
Central Coast
- Santa Cruz Mountains
- Monterey
- Santa Lucia Highlands
- Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County
- Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County
- Santa Ynez Valley
- Sta. Rita Hills
2 valleys, and 1 AVA of the Central Valley of California
- encompasses the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys
- Lodi AVA
California’s North Coast comprises the vineyards to the north of …
San Francisco Bay
climate & influences of the North Coast of California
- strongly influenced by the ocean, bringing fog & cool breezes that flow through the gaps in th coastal ranges & river valleys
- this affects the average temperatures & diurnal temperature ranges that determine grape plantings
length & width of Napa Valley AVA
50 km x 5 km
what AVA has the most expensive vy land & some of the most prestigious wineries of California
Napa Valley AVA
Mountains between Napa & Sonoma
Mayacamas Mountains
Mountains between Napa & the northern part of the Central Valley
the Vaca Mountains
mountains to the west & east of Napa Valley
- west: Mayacamas Mountains
- east: the Vaca Mountains
where are the Mayacamas Mountains
between Napa & Sonoma
where are the Vaca Mountains
between Napa & the northern part of the Central Valley
where are the vy found in Napa
both on the valley floor & on each valley side
Napa County is subject to a number of …. influences, providing a diverse range of … & leading to the production of a range of different …
- cooling
- climates
- wine styles
the most significant influences on climate in Napa County
- the morning fogs & cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay (the norhern extension of the San Francisco Bay) that moderate the temperatures of the vy to the south of the valley
most southerly vy area on the valley floor in Napa County
Los Carneros AVA
Los Carneros AVA
- in Napa County & Sonoma County
- cool enough to be a source of high-quality PN & Chardonnay
–> still wines & trad.met. sparkling wines - cooling influence from San Pablo Bay
–> morning fogs
–> cool afternoon breezes
3 AVAs on the valley floor north of Los Carneros, warm enough to ripen CS
- Stags Leap District
- Oakville
- Rutherford
Stags Leap District
1. where
2. climate
3. renowned for
4. other red grapes
5. white grapes
- in Napa County
- warm enough to ripen CS
- renowned for making premium wines from CS
- Merlot is also widely planted
- Chardonnay & SB are the main white varieties (ripe tropical fruit flavours)
Oakville
1. where
2. climate
3. renowned for
4. other red grapes
5. white grapes
- in Napa County
- warm enough to ripen CS
- renowned for making premium wines from CS
- Merlot is also widely planted
- Chardonnay & SB are the main white varieties (ripe tropical fruit flavours)
Rutherford
1. where
2. climate
3. renowned for
4. other red grapes
5. white grapes
- in Napa County
- warm enough to ripen CS
–> warmest during the day of Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford
–> red wine: often considered to have the most power & structure - renowned for making premium wines from CS
- Merlot is also widely planted
- Chardonnay & SB are the main white varieties (ripe tropical fruit flavours)
- 2 AVAs in the north of the valley of Napa County
- climate, influences & temperature
- grapes
- wines
- Saint Helena AVA & Calistoga AVA
- climate, infl. & temp.:
- the warmest daytime temperatures
- cool air through the Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas Mountains can provide some relief from oppressive afternoon temperatures & much cooler night-time temperatures help to retain acidity in the grapes - CS, Zinfandel, Syrah
- can produce some of the most concentrated, full-bodied wines in the valley
where is Saint Helena
AVA in Napa County
where is Calistoga
AVA in Napa County
many of the vy on the valley sides of Napa County lie above … & are instead cooled by their …
- the fog layer
- altitude
2 important effects on vy climate for vy on the valley sides of Napa County
- altitude
- aspect
west facing vineyards in Napa County (on valley sides)
- Howell Mountain AVA
- Atlas Peak AVA
east facing vineyards in Napa County (on valley sides)
- Diamond Mountain District AVA
- Spring Mountain District AVA
- Mount Veeder AVA
how does the aspect affect the vy & the wines on the valley sides of Napa County
- west facing vy get full exposure to the hot afternoon sun, & therefore tend to be warmer than those facing east
- giving fuller-bodied wines with higher alcohol levels
wines on the valley sides of Napa County compared to those on the valley floor
- the red wines of the valley sides tend to have greater levels of tannin, & less richness on the palate than those of the valley floor
- Chardonnay: citrus, stone fruit with higher levels of acidity than those of the valley floor
grapes on the valley sides of Napa Valley
- CS is the principal variety
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Zinfandel are also grown depending on the location
- Chardonnay is the main white variety
Sonoma County is … than Napa County, with a … variety of climates
- lager
- greater
- where is Russian River Valley
- climatic influences
- wines
- Sonoma County
- Petaluma Gap: a break in the coastal ranges –> very cool, foggy conditions
- high-quality, elegant PN & Chardonnays, as well as sparkling wines
the AVAs to the north of Russian River Valley are perceptibly …
warmer
- where is Dry Creek Valley
- planted & grapes
- Sonoma County, north of Russian River Valley, south-west of Alexander Valley
- planted densely both on its hillsides & its floor
–> hillsides above the fog layer: high-quality old vine Zinfandels
–> valley floor: SB
–> Rhône varieties & CS are also popular
temperature & wines of Alexander Valley compared to Dry Creek Valley/other Sonoma AVAs
- Alexander Valley is warmer than Dry Creek Valley (warmer than Russian River)
- tend to be more fleshy & full-bodied than those of the other Sonoma AVAs
where is Alexander Valley
- Sonoma County
- north of Russian River Valley
- north-east of Dry Creek Valley
- Alexander Valley AVA has built a reputation for …
- in addition … perform well
- soft-textured, full-bodied CS
- a range of international varieties
where is Sonoma Coast AVA
(West of …)
to the west of Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley & Alexander Valley
- the climate in Sonoma Coast AVA
- vy
- greatly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean
- vy are often planted on south facing slopes to help maximise ripening
AVA towards the south of Sonoma County, parallel to Napa Valley
Sonoma Valley AVA
where is Sonoma Valley
- towards the south of Sonoma County
- parallel to Napa Valley
- climate in Sonoma Valley AVA
- grapes & wines
- similar to Napa Valley - cooled by the breezes & fogs from the San Pablo Bay
- high-quality Chardonnays & old Zinfandels
what/where is Mendocino
County at the North Coast of California
very cool AVA in Mendocino County
Anderson Valley AVA
Anderson Valley
(where, temp., wines, grapes)
- in Mendocino County, North Coast California
- very cool
- source of grapes for aromatic white wines such as Rsl & Gew.tr., as well as sparkling wines
Mendocino AVA
(where, climate, infl., wines, grapes)
- in Mendocino County, North Coast California
- much warmer, drier conditions than Anderson Valley AVA
- protected behind coastal hills that rise up to 900 m
- full-bodied with soft tannins
- CS, Zinfandel, Syrah
what/where is Santa Cruz Mountains
AVA on the Central Coast of California
Santa Cruz Mountains
(where, vy, grapes/wines)
- diverse region in the north of the Central Coast
- includes hillside locations with infertile soils
- some of California’s most elegant CS are produced in this moderate climate
- some high-quality Chardonnays & PN
Monterey
1. what/where
2. climate infl.
3. grapes, vy
- AVA in the Central Coast of California
- strongly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean
-
Chardonnay & PN have been heavily planted closer to the coast where strong cool winds blow in on a daily basis
Merlot, CS, Syrah: further along the valley where the cool winds become less evident
Santa Lucia Highlands
1. what/where
2. grape/wine
- AVA in Monterey County, Central Coast, California
- source of high-quality Chardonnay with citrus & tropical fruit flavours & balanced acidity
where is San Luis Obispo
County in the southern part of Central Coast, California
San Luis Obispo
1. where
2. infl.
3. AVA
- southern part of Central Coast, California
- the mountains lie east-west, rather than north-south, thus encouraging the flow of cool ocean breezes onto the mainland
- Paso Robles AVA
Paso Robles
1. where
2. climatic infl., grapes/wine
- San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California
- 2 distinct zones
east: hot, sunny weather, deep fertile soils
–> supple fruity wines for high-volume brands
west: cooled by marine air
–> has gained a reputation for high-quality Zinfandel & Rhône varieties
Santa Maria Valley
1. where
2. climatic infl., wine
3. grapes/wine
- AVA in Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
- exposed coastal, significantly cooler.
In low-lying areas fog can cover the vy during the day, encouraging a slow ripening process, & yielding wines with concentrated fruit flavours balanced by high acidity - premium PN & Chardonnay
Santa Ynez Valley
1. where
2. temp compared to area
3. grapes/wine
- Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
- slightly warmer than Santa Maria Valley
- produces red wines from both Syrah & Bx varieties
Sta. Rita Hills
1. where
2. climatic infl.
3. grape/wine
- west of Santa Ynez,
Santa Barbara Conty, Central Coast, California - much cooler & strongly influenced by the ocean
- PN, Chardonnay & a number of aromatic varieties
- Central Valley, California encompasses …
- produces …
- the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys
- the vast majority of Californian wine, much of which is used in high-volume, inexpensive brands
climate of Central Valley, California
mostly hot & dry
& irrigation is widely practised
new grape varieties bred in California
- Rubyred
- Ruby Cabernet
Rubyred & Ruby Cabernet
- new grape varieties bred in California to make the most of the climatic conditions (hot, dry, irrigation)
grapes grown in Central Valley, California (8)
- Rubired
- Ruby Cabernet
- CS
- Merlot
- Chardonnay
- Colombard
- Chenin Blanc
- Barbera
AVA in Central Valley
Lodi AVA
Lodi
1. where
2. climatic infl.
3. grapes
- the Lodi AVA straddles the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys, in the middle of the Central VAlley
- east of the huge Sacramento Delta
–> cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay - most varieties are grown. Some of the oldest & best Zinfandel vy in the state
