33.California Flashcards
What is the major climatic influence on California’s vineyards?
Cold California Ocean Current
Name another cooling factor which moderates the hot weather in California other than Cold California Ocean Current
Fog (prominent on valley floors)
What is the most common climatic hazard in California? How do the grape growers overcome this threat?
- Drought
- Drip irrigation is widely practiced
What is the advantage of scarcity of autumn rains in California?
Growers leave the grapes on the vine longer and this extra hang-time results in very ripe grapes with very concentrated flavour and very high sugar levels
What is the most widely planted grape variety in California?
Chardonnay
What is the most widely planted black grape variety in California?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting notes for a typical high quality California Cabernet Sauvignon
- Full bodied
- Very concentrated ripe cassis flavours
- Prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels
Which problem is frequent during the ripening of Zinfandel grape? What are the consequences of this situation?
- Uneven ripening. Harvested fruit include both raisined and underripe grapes.
- The raisining results in concentrated, full-bodied red wines with high alcohol and residual sugar
- Underripe grapes can cause subtle herbaceous quality
Tasting notes for a typical high quality California Merlot
- Deep colored
- Soft velvety tannins
- Luscious body
- High alcohol
- Blackberry and plum flavours
Tasting notes for a typical high quality California Chardonnay
- Full bodied
- High alcohol
- Low in acidity
- Peach and banana flavours
- Obvious flavours of oak, hazelnut and butter
Which mountains form the boundaries of Napa valley to the east and to the west?
- West: Mayacamas mountains
- East: Vaca mountains
What is the coolest AVA in Napa?
Los Carneros AVA. Cool enough to produce high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What are the most significant influences which cools Napa?
- Morning fogs
- Cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo bay
- Altitude (on the valley sides)
- Aspect: Vineyards facing east on the valley sides Diamond Mountain District AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, Mount veeder AVA) are cooler than those facing west (Howell Mountain AVA, Atlas Peak AVA)
Compare the red wines produced in the valley sides and on the valley floor in Napa Valley
The wines from the valley sides have
- More tannin
- Less richness on the palate
What is the coolest region of Sonoma Valley? How is it cooled?
- Russian River Valley
- From the break in the coastal ranges (Petaluma Gap) cool winds and fog enter
- Cool enough to produce high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Which grapes are grown
a. In the hillsides
b. On the valley floor
in Dry Creek AVA?
a. High quality old vine Zinfandel
b. Sauvignon Blanc
Which AVA produces the more fleshy and fuller bodied red wines in Sonoma?
Alexander Valley
Where are most of the vineyards planted in Sonoma Coast AVA? Why?
On the south facing slopes to help maximise ripening because climate is greatly influenced by cold Pacific Ocean
How is Anderson Valley AVA different than Mendocino County AVA?
It is much cooler than the warmer and drier Mendocino County AVA.
Which type of wines are produced in Anderson Valley?
- Aromatic wines like Riesling and Gewurztraminer as well as sparkling wines.
Which area in California has the largest plantings of Merlot?
San Joaquin in Central Valley
High quality Merlot is grown in which regions of California?
Cooler sites like
- Monterey
- Napa
- Sonoma
Which regions produce Pinot Noir in California?
- Los Carneros
- Russian River Valley
- Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara
Describe 2 styles of Pinot Noir production in California
- Light in color, classic gamey and vegetal notes
2. Rich layers of ripe fruit (red cherry, strawberry) and sweet spice from oak
What are the main AVAs of Central Coast?
- Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
- Monterey AVA
- San Lois Obispo County
- Paso Robles AVA
- Santa Barbara County
- Santa Maria Valley AVA
What varieties of grapes are grown in Monterey?
- Closer to the coast: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Further along the valley: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
Compare the climate and wine production of east and west parts of Paso Robles AVA in San Lois Obispo County
- East: Hot sunny weather, deep fertile soils produce supple fruity wines for high volume brands
- West: Cooled by marine air, reputation for high quality Zinfandel and Rhone varieties
Which areas of Santa Barbara County are specialized in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production?
The cooler areas
- Santa Maria Valley AVA
- Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Compare the climates of Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley AVAs
Santa Ynez Valley is slightly warmer
Which area produces the vast majority of Californian wine?
Central Valley
Why is the climate of Lodi AVA is different than the Central Valley?
Because of the cooling breezes from San Fransisco Bay
Lodi AVA is famous for which grape variety?
Old vine Zinfandel
