33 - California

Question 1

Describe the California wine growing region?

Answer 1

Extending 1100km from north to south, there are are vineyards all across its length, despite this latitude plays a small role in determining climate. The cold California Ocean Current is much more crucial. North of L.A the coast line is mountainous which shield most vineyards from the cooling effect of the ocean.

Question 2

Cold air and fog in California, effects grape growing how?

Answer 2

Cold air often drawn in by the fog can lower night time temperatures. Additionally the time it takes for the sun to burn out early morning fog can mean the cooling influences extend well into the day.

Question 3

When there are gaps in the mountains, the cooling effect can reach well inland. What are two valleys that lie at right angles to the sea creating wind tunnels for the cold air?

Answer 3

Monterey and Santa Barbara County. By comparison the Central Valley with no gaps has a very hot climate.

Question 4

What other weather affects California’s wine regions?

Answer 4

Lack of rainfall during ripening season. Water shortages are a real problem and drip irrigation is common. This has always allowed growers leave the grapes on the vines long into the season, resulting in very ripe grapes with concentrated flavours and sugar levels.

Question 5

What is the most widely planted black grape in California?

Answer 5

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 6

Describe the common profile of a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 6

Many wines are full bodied, with high concentrated ripe cassis flavours and prominent spice flavours from new oak barrels. Some producers show more restraint and make a less rich style, with fresher blackcurrant flavours.

Question 7

What varietal is regarded as California’s “own grape”?

Answer 7

Zinfandel, which is made in a variety of styles. It tends to ripen unevenly which means raisined and underripe grapes can be harvested.

Question 8

Raisining of Zinfandel results in what sort of wines?

Answer 8

Concentrated, full bodied red wines with high alcohol levels, sometimes with small amounts of residual sugar. Flavours include red and black fruits, dried berries, and liquorice. Some can display a subtle herbaecous qaulity from underripe grapes.

Question 9

What is White Zinfandel?

Answer 9

Rose Zinfandel, large volumes of which are made from early picked grapes. Typically fruity, pale in colour, med sweet and low in alcohol.

Question 10

What 3 other black grapes are commonly grown in California?

Answer 10

Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

Question 11

Describe the common profile of Syrah in California?

Answer 11

Full bodied, rich style, Some producers make leaner, more peppery styles.

Question 12

Describe the common profile of Merlot in California?

Answer 12

Approachable wines with soft tannins and ripe black fruit. San Joaquin in Central Valley has the largest plantings, making simple, inexpensive wines.

Question 13

Better quality Californian Merlots now come from?

Answer 13

Cooler sites such as Monterey and the north coast regions, especially Napa and Sonoma. These deeply coloured wines have soft, velvety tannins, a lucious body, high alcohol and classic varietal flavours of blackberry and plum.

Question 14

Premium Pinot Noir can come from which Californian regions?

Answer 14

Russian River Valley, Los Carneros and Santa Maria Valley. Styles range widely, according to the vineyard site and winemaking practices. Most are light in colour, with classic gamey and vegetal notes, although most show rich layers of ripe red fruit flavours and notes of sweet spice from oak maturation.

Question 15

What is the most widely planted white grape in California?

Answer 15

Chardonnay. Throughout the state there is a wide variation of production styles: the inexpensive, high volume wines from the Central Valley tend to be fruity with low to medium acidity and sometimes a toasty note from oak staves or chips.

Question 16

Describe the common profile of high quality Californian Chardonnay?

Answer 16

A reputation for being very full bodied, high in alcohol and low in acidity, with obvious flavours of oak, hazlenut and butter underpinning the peach and banana fruit flavours.

Question 17

Restrained Californian premium Chardonnay is being produced where?

Answer 17

Los Carneros and Russian River Valley. A more restrained style with less oak influence.

Question 18

What other white varietal is common in California?

Answer 18

Sauvignon Blanc. Mainly grown in coastal regions, giving wines with high acidity and ripe citrus flavours. Affordable, fruity, everyday wines come from warmer regions such as Central Valley. The term Fume Blanc is used to indicate and oaked style, but not always.

Question 19

Where is the majority of wine produced in California?

Answer 19

The central valley, where the soil is very fertile and irrigation is used to increase yield.

Question 20

The principal vineyards of California are grouped into five regions, three of which contain the majority of the well known County Appellations and AVA’s. What are they called?

Answer 20

North Coast, Central Coast and Central Valley.

Question 21

Describe the North Coast growing region?

Answer 21

Compromising the vineyards to the north of San Francisco Bay. The climate here is strongly influenced by the ocean, bringing fog and cool breezes through the gaps in the coastal ranges and river valleys. This affects the average temperature and diurnal temperature ranges that determine grape plantings.

Question 22

Describe the Napa Valley AVA?

Answer 22

Runs north to south for about 50km. It has the most the expensive vineyard land and some of the most prestigous wineries of California. To the west the Mayacamas Mountains form the boundary with Sonoma County. To the east the Vaca Mountains separate the Napa Valley from the Central Valley. The differing climatic effects in this region leads varying styles of wines.

Question 23

What is the most significant climatic influence in the Napa Valley?

Answer 23

Morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay that moderate temperatures in the south of the valley.

Question 24

Describe the Los Carneros AVA?

Answer 24

The most southernly vineyard area on the valley floor and extends into Sonoma County. It’s cool enough to be able to source high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which is used to make still wines and sparkling wines.

Question 25

Moving along the Napa Valley floor, which AVA’s become warm enough to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 25

Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford AVA’s. They are known for making premium wines from this grape.

Question 26

Which AVA on the Napa Valley floor has the least influence from the San Pablo Bay?

Answer 26

Rutherford AVA is the warmest during the day and it red wines are often considered to have the most power and structure.

Question 27

What other varietals are often planted in The Napa Valley floor?

Answer 27

Merlot is the other red varietal commonly planted, whilst Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. These whites display ripe tropical fruit flavours.

Question 28

What two AVA’s in the north of the Napa Valley often receive the warmest day time temperatures and produce the the most concentrated, full bodied wines in the valley?

Answer 28

Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA. Cool air sometimes comes through the the Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas Mountains to give relief from oppressive afternoon heat. Much cooler night time temperatures help to retain acidity in the grapes. As well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah are also grown commonly here.

Question 29

Many of the vineyards on the valley sides lie above the fog layer, how are the cooled instead?

Answer 29

They’re cooled by altitude.

Question 30

Aspect has a big impact on growing, which west facing vineyards get full exposure to the hot afternoon sun and therefore tend to be warmer?

Answer 30

Diamond Mountain District, Spring Mountain District and Mount Veeder AVA’s. Giving fuller bodied wines, with higher alcohol levels.

Question 31

Describe the typical profile of of red wines the valley sides?

Answer 31

Greater levels of tannin, less richness on the palate than those of the valley floor. Cabernet Sauvignon is the principal variety but Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel are also grown dependent on location. Chardonnay is the main white varietal and displays citrus and stone fruit with higher levels of acidity than those on the valley floor.

Question 32

Sonoma County is larger than Napa County, with a greater variety of climates. What is the gap in the break of coastal ranges here?

Answer 32

The Petaluma Gap.

Question 33

Which AVA is affected hugely by the Petaluma Gap?

Answer 33

Russian River Valley AVA. It has very cool, foggy conditions and best known for high quality, elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, plus sparkling wines too.

Question 34

Which AVA to the north of Russian River Valley is perceptibly warmer?

Answer 34

Dry Creek Valley AVA. It’s planted densely on both it’s hillsides and its floor.

Question 35

Describe the Dry Creek Valley AVA?

Answer 35

The hillsides are above the fog layer are home to high quality old Zinfandels, whereas the valley floor vineyards are better suited to Sauvignon Blanc. Rhone varieties and Cabernet Sauvignon are also popular.

Question 36

Even more north than Dry Creek Valley AVA, which AVA is even warmer still?

Answer 36

Alexander Valley AVA. It’s wines tend to be more fleshy and full bodied than those of other Sonoma AVA’s. Particularly a reputation for soft textured, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignons, but a range of international varieties perform well.

Question 37

To the west of Sonoma, which AVA is greatly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean?

Answer 37

Sonoma Coast AVA. Vineyards are often planted on south facing slopes to help maximise ripening.

Question 38

Which Sonoma County AVA that runs parallel to Napa Valley is affected greatly by the San Pablo Bay?

Answer 38

Sonoma Valley AVA. This region produces high quality Chardonnays, but is also known for its old vine Zinfandels.

Question 39

Which county is north of Sonoma County?

Answer 39

Mendocino County. It’s large and very diverse and includes the very cool Anderson Valley AVA. Which is a source of grapes for aromatic wines such as Gewurtztraminer and Riesling. Plus sparkling wines.

Question 40

Describe the Mendocino AVA?

Answer 40

It experiences much warmer drier conditions, protected behind coastal hills that rise up 900 metres. Wines here are often full bodied with soft tannins and often made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah.

Question 41

The Central Coast of California is made up of which regions?

Answer 41

Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbera Counties.

Question 42

Describe the Santa Cruz Mountain AVA?

Answer 42

A diverse region in the north of the Central Coast, thast includes hillside locations with infertile soils. Some of California’s most elegant Cabernet sauvignons are produced in this moderate climate, as well some high quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

Question 43

Describe the Monterey AVA?

Answer 43

Following the path of the Salinas Valleyit’s strongly affected by the cold Pacific Ocean. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been heavily planted closer to the coast, where strong winds blow in on a daily basis. Further along the valley cool winds become less evident and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are grown.

Question 44

Which other AVA in the Salinas Valley makes notable wines?

Answer 44

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. A source of high quality Chardonnay with citrus and tropical fruit flavours and balanced acidity.

Question 45

Describe the area of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbera Counties?

Answer 45

Located in the souther part of the Central Coast, the mountains lie east-west, rather than north-south, thus encouraging the flow of cool ocean breezes onto the mainland.

Question 46

Describe Paso Robles AVA?

Answer 46

in San Luis Obispo County, it has notable plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. It has two distinct zones. The east experiences hot, sunny weather and has deep fertile soils producing supple fruity wines for high volume brands. The west is cooled by marines air and has gained a reputation for high quality Zinfandel and Rhone Varieties.

Question 47

Describe the Santa Maria Valley AVA?

Answer 47

Further south in Santa Barbara County and exposed to the coast, it’s significantly cooler and well suited to growing premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. In low-lying areas fog can cover the vineyards during the day, encouraging a slow ripening process, and yielding wines with concentrated fruit flavours balanced by high acidity. Conditions are slightly warmer in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, which produces red wines from both Syrah and Bordeaux varietals.

Question 48

Describe the Sta. Rita Hills AVA?

Answer 48

In the far west of Santa Ynez, it’s much cooler and strongly influenced by the ocean. Like Santa Maria Valley it specialises in Pinot Noir, backed up by Chardonnay and a number of aromatic varieties.

Question 49

Describe the Central Valley region in California?

Answer 49

A vast area that encompasses the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys and produces the vast majority of Californian wine, much of which is used in high volume , inexpensive brands. Climate is mostly hot and dry, irrigation is widely practiced.

Question 50

What new grape varieties were made to benefit the conditions in the Central Valley?

Answer 50

Rubired and Ruby Cabernet. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay are widely planted as well as Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Barbera.

Question 51

Describe the Lodi AVA?

Answer 51

Straddling the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, in the middle of the Central Valley. The AVA lies east of the huge Sacrament Delta and thus benefits form the cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay. Most varieties are grown here, but it’s home to some the oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards in the state.