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WSET 3 > 33 - California > Flashcards

33 - California Flashcards

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1
Q

length of California from north to south

A

1100 km
(til sammenligning: Norge er 1700 km)

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2
Q

influence on climate for California

A
  • 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
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3
Q
  1. hazard in California
  2. how to avoid
  3. positive
A
  1. lack of rain during the ripening season –> water shortage are a real concers
  2. drip irrigation is widely practised
  3. 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
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4
Q

most widely planted black grape in California

A

CS

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5
Q

CS in California

A
  • 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
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6
Q

Black grapes in California (5)

A
  • CS
  • Zinfandel
  • Merlot
  • PN
  • Syrah
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7
Q

California’s ‘own’ grape variety

A

Zinfandel

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8
Q

Zinfandel in California

A
  • 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

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9
Q

Merlot in California
- general
- largest plantings
- better-quality

A
  • 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

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10
Q

premium Pinot Noir in California can come from
(3 ex)

A

moderate regions such as
- Russian River Valley
- Los Carneros
- Santa Maria Valley

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11
Q

styles of Pinot Noir in California

A
  • 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)

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12
Q

Syrah in California

A
  • planted across the state
  • typically made in a full-bodied, rich style
  • some producers make leaner, more peppery styles
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13
Q

white varieties in California (2)

A
  1. Chardonnay
  2. SB
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14
Q

most planted grape variety in California

A

Chardonnay

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15
Q

style of Chardonnay in California

A
  • 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

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16
Q

Sauvignon Blanc in California

A

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

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17
Q
  1. the majority of California wine is produced …
  2. why?
A
  1. primarily in the Central Valley
  2. the soil is very fertile & irrigation is used to increase yield
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18
Q
  • 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
A
  • 5
    1. North Coast
    2. Central Coast
    3. Central Valley
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19
Q

3 regions in California, 5 counties, and its AVAs (19+7+1)

A

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

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20
Q

3 counties & AVAs of the North Coast of California (12+5+2)

A

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

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21
Q

AVAs of Napa County (12)

A
  • Los Carneros
  • Stags Leap District
  • Yountville
  • Oakville
  • Rutherford
  • Saint Helena
  • Calistoga
  • Howell Mountain
  • Atlas Peak
  • Diamont Mountain District
  • Spring Mountain District
  • Mount Veeder
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22
Q

AVAs of Sonoma County (5)

A
  • Russian River Valley
  • Dry Creek Valley
  • Alexander Valley
  • Sonoma Coast
  • Sonoma Valley
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23
Q

AVAs of Mendocino County (2)

A
  • Anderson Valley
  • Mendocino
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24
Q

AVAs of the Central Coast of California (7)

A

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

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25
Q

2 valleys, and 1 AVA of the Central Valley of California

A
  • encompasses the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys
  • Lodi AVA
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26
Q

California’s North Coast comprises the vineyards to the north of …

A

San Francisco Bay

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27
Q

climate & influences of the North Coast of California

A
  • 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
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28
Q

length & width of Napa Valley AVA

A

50 km x 5 km

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29
Q

what AVA has the most expensive vy land & some of the most prestigious wineries of California

A

Napa Valley AVA

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30
Q

Mountains between Napa & Sonoma

A

Mayacamas Mountains

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31
Q

Mountains between Napa & the northern part of the Central Valley

A

the Vaca Mountains

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32
Q

mountains to the west & east of Napa Valley

A
  • west: Mayacamas Mountains
  • east: the Vaca Mountains
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33
Q

where are the Mayacamas Mountains

A

between Napa & Sonoma

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34
Q

where are the Vaca Mountains

A

between Napa & the northern part of the Central Valley

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35
Q

where are the vy found in Napa

A

both on the valley floor & on each valley side

36
Q

Napa County is subject to a number of …. influences, providing a diverse range of … & leading to the production of a range of different …

A
  1. cooling
  2. climates
  3. wine styles
37
Q

the most significant influences on climate in Napa County

A
  • 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
38
Q

most southerly vy area on the valley floor in Napa County

A

Los Carneros AVA

39
Q

Los Carneros AVA

A
  • 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
40
Q

3 AVAs on the valley floor north of Los Carneros, warm enough to ripen CS

A
  1. Stags Leap District
  2. Oakville
  3. Rutherford
41
Q

Stags Leap District
1. where
2. climate
3. renowned for
4. other red grapes
5. white grapes

A
  1. in Napa County
  2. warm enough to ripen CS
  3. renowned for making premium wines from CS
  4. Merlot is also widely planted
  5. Chardonnay & SB are the main white varieties (ripe tropical fruit flavours)
42
Q

Oakville
1. where
2. climate
3. renowned for
4. other red grapes
5. white grapes

A
  1. in Napa County
  2. warm enough to ripen CS
  3. renowned for making premium wines from CS
  4. Merlot is also widely planted
  5. Chardonnay & SB are the main white varieties (ripe tropical fruit flavours)
43
Q

Rutherford
1. where
2. climate
3. renowned for
4. other red grapes
5. white grapes

A
  1. in Napa County
  2. 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
  3. renowned for making premium wines from CS
  4. Merlot is also widely planted
  5. Chardonnay & SB are the main white varieties (ripe tropical fruit flavours)
44
Q
  1. 2 AVAs in the north of the valley of Napa County
  2. climate, influences & temperature
  3. grapes
  4. wines
A
  1. Saint Helena AVA & Calistoga AVA
  2. 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
  3. CS, Zinfandel, Syrah
  4. can produce some of the most concentrated, full-bodied wines in the valley
45
Q

where is Saint Helena

A

AVA in Napa County

46
Q

where is Calistoga

A

AVA in Napa County

47
Q

many of the vy on the valley sides of Napa County lie above … & are instead cooled by their …

A
  1. the fog layer
  2. altitude
48
Q

2 important effects on vy climate for vy on the valley sides of Napa County

A
  • altitude
  • aspect
49
Q

west facing vineyards in Napa County (on valley sides)

A
  1. Howell Mountain AVA
  2. Atlas Peak AVA
50
Q

east facing vineyards in Napa County (on valley sides)

A
  1. Diamond Mountain District AVA
  2. Spring Mountain District AVA
  3. Mount Veeder AVA
51
Q

how does the aspect affect the vy & the wines on the valley sides of Napa County

A
  • 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
52
Q

wines on the valley sides of Napa County compared to those on the valley floor

A
  • 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
53
Q

grapes on the valley sides of Napa Valley

A
  • CS is the principal variety
  • Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Zinfandel are also grown depending on the location
  • Chardonnay is the main white variety
54
Q

Sonoma County is … than Napa County, with a … variety of climates

A
  1. lager
  2. greater
55
Q
  1. where is Russian River Valley
  2. climatic influences
  3. wines
A
  1. Sonoma County
  2. Petaluma Gap: a break in the coastal ranges –> very cool, foggy conditions
  3. high-quality, elegant PN & Chardonnays, as well as sparkling wines
56
Q

the AVAs to the north of Russian River Valley are perceptibly …

A

warmer

57
Q
  1. where is Dry Creek Valley
  2. planted & grapes
A
  1. Sonoma County, north of Russian River Valley, south-west of Alexander Valley
  2. 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
58
Q

temperature & wines of Alexander Valley compared to Dry Creek Valley/other Sonoma AVAs

A
  • 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
59
Q

where is Alexander Valley

A
  • Sonoma County
  • north of Russian River Valley
  • north-east of Dry Creek Valley
60
Q
  1. Alexander Valley AVA has built a reputation for …
  2. in addition … perform well
A
  1. soft-textured, full-bodied CS
  2. a range of international varieties
61
Q

where is Sonoma Coast AVA
(West of …)

A

to the west of Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley & Alexander Valley

62
Q
  1. the climate in Sonoma Coast AVA
  2. vy
A
  1. greatly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean
  2. vy are often planted on south facing slopes to help maximise ripening
63
Q

AVA towards the south of Sonoma County, parallel to Napa Valley

A

Sonoma Valley AVA

64
Q

where is Sonoma Valley

A
  • towards the south of Sonoma County
  • parallel to Napa Valley
65
Q
  1. climate in Sonoma Valley AVA
  2. grapes & wines
A
  1. similar to Napa Valley - cooled by the breezes & fogs from the San Pablo Bay
  2. high-quality Chardonnays & old Zinfandels
66
Q

what/where is Mendocino

A

County at the North Coast of California

67
Q

very cool AVA in Mendocino County

A

Anderson Valley AVA

68
Q

Anderson Valley
(where, temp., wines, grapes)

A
  • 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
69
Q

Mendocino AVA
(where, climate, infl., wines, grapes)

A
  • 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
70
Q

what/where is Santa Cruz Mountains

A

AVA on the Central Coast of California

71
Q

Santa Cruz Mountains
(where, vy, grapes/wines)

A
  • 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
72
Q

Monterey
1. what/where
2. climate infl.
3. grapes, vy

A
  1. AVA in the Central Coast of California
  2. strongly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean
  3. 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
73
Q

Santa Lucia Highlands
1. what/where
2. grape/wine

A
  1. AVA in Monterey County, Central Coast, California
  2. source of high-quality Chardonnay with citrus & tropical fruit flavours & balanced acidity
74
Q

where is San Luis Obispo

A

County in the southern part of Central Coast, California

75
Q

San Luis Obispo
1. where
2. infl.
3. AVA

A
  1. southern part of Central Coast, California
  2. the mountains lie east-west, rather than north-south, thus encouraging the flow of cool ocean breezes onto the mainland
  3. Paso Robles AVA
76
Q

Paso Robles
1. where
2. climatic infl., grapes/wine

A
  1. San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California
  2. 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
77
Q

Santa Maria Valley
1. where
2. climatic infl., wine
3. grapes/wine

A
  1. AVA in Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
  2. 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
  3. premium PN & Chardonnay
78
Q

Santa Ynez Valley
1. where
2. temp compared to area
3. grapes/wine

A
  1. Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California
  2. slightly warmer than Santa Maria Valley
  3. produces red wines from both Syrah & Bx varieties
79
Q

Sta. Rita Hills
1. where
2. climatic infl.
3. grape/wine

A
  1. west of Santa Ynez,
    Santa Barbara Conty, Central Coast, California
  2. much cooler & strongly influenced by the ocean
  3. PN, Chardonnay & a number of aromatic varieties
80
Q
  1. Central Valley, California encompasses …
  2. produces …
A
  1. the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys
  2. the vast majority of Californian wine, much of which is used in high-volume, inexpensive brands
81
Q

climate of Central Valley, California

A

mostly hot & dry
& irrigation is widely practised

82
Q

new grape varieties bred in California

A
  • Rubyred
  • Ruby Cabernet
83
Q

Rubyred & Ruby Cabernet

A
  • new grape varieties bred in California to make the most of the climatic conditions (hot, dry, irrigation)
84
Q

grapes grown in Central Valley, California (8)

A
  1. Rubired
  2. Ruby Cabernet
  3. CS
  4. Merlot
  5. Chardonnay
  6. Colombard
  7. Chenin Blanc
  8. Barbera
85
Q

AVA in Central Valley

A

Lodi AVA

86
Q

Lodi
1. where
2. climatic infl.
3. grapes

A
  1. the Lodi AVA straddles the Sacramento & San Joaquin Valleys, in the middle of the Central VAlley
  2. east of the huge Sacramento Delta
    –> cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay
  3. most varieties are grown. Some of the oldest & best Zinfandel vy in the state

WSET 3 (45 decks)

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