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WSET 3 by Sarp Sarac > 33.California > Flashcards

33.California Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the major climatic influence on California’s vineyards?

A

Cold California Ocean Current

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2
Q

Name another cooling factor which moderates the hot weather in California other than Cold California Ocean Current

A

Fog (prominent on valley floors)

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3
Q

What is the most common climatic hazard in California? How do the grape growers overcome this threat?

A
  • Drought

- Drip irrigation is widely practiced

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4
Q

What is the advantage of scarcity of autumn rains in California?

A

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

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5
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety in California?

A

Chardonnay

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6
Q

What is the most widely planted black grape variety in California?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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7
Q

Tasting notes for a typical high quality California Cabernet Sauvignon

A
  • Full bodied
  • Very concentrated ripe cassis flavours
  • Prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels
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8
Q

Which problem is frequent during the ripening of Zinfandel grape? What are the consequences of this situation?

A
  • 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
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9
Q

Tasting notes for a typical high quality California Merlot

A
  • Deep colored
  • Soft velvety tannins
  • Luscious body
  • High alcohol
  • Blackberry and plum flavours
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10
Q

Tasting notes for a typical high quality California Chardonnay

A
  • Full bodied
  • High alcohol
  • Low in acidity
  • Peach and banana flavours
  • Obvious flavours of oak, hazelnut and butter
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11
Q

Which mountains form the boundaries of Napa valley to the east and to the west?

A
  • West: Mayacamas mountains

- East: Vaca mountains

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12
Q

What is the coolest AVA in Napa?

A

Los Carneros AVA. Cool enough to produce high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

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13
Q

What are the most significant influences which cools Napa?

A
  • 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)
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14
Q

Compare the red wines produced in the valley sides and on the valley floor in Napa Valley

A

The wines from the valley sides have

  • More tannin
  • Less richness on the palate
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15
Q

What is the coolest region of Sonoma Valley? How is it cooled?

A
  • 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
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16
Q

Which grapes are grown
a. In the hillsides
b. On the valley floor
in Dry Creek AVA?

A

a. High quality old vine Zinfandel

b. Sauvignon Blanc

17
Q

Which AVA produces the more fleshy and fuller bodied red wines in Sonoma?

A

Alexander Valley

18
Q

Where are most of the vineyards planted in Sonoma Coast AVA? Why?

A

On the south facing slopes to help maximise ripening because climate is greatly influenced by cold Pacific Ocean

19
Q

How is Anderson Valley AVA different than Mendocino County AVA?

A

It is much cooler than the warmer and drier Mendocino County AVA.

20
Q

Which type of wines are produced in Anderson Valley?

A
  • Aromatic wines like Riesling and Gewurztraminer as well as sparkling wines.
21
Q

Which area in California has the largest plantings of Merlot?

A

San Joaquin in Central Valley

22
Q

High quality Merlot is grown in which regions of California?

A

Cooler sites like

  • Monterey
  • Napa
  • Sonoma
23
Q

Which regions produce Pinot Noir in California?

A
  • Los Carneros
  • Russian River Valley
  • Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara
24
Q

Describe 2 styles of Pinot Noir production in California

A
  1. Light in color, classic gamey and vegetal notes

2. Rich layers of ripe fruit (red cherry, strawberry) and sweet spice from oak

25
Q

What are the main AVAs of Central Coast?

A
  • Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
  • Monterey AVA
  • San Lois Obispo County
    • Paso Robles AVA
  • Santa Barbara County
    • Santa Maria Valley AVA
26
Q

What varieties of grapes are grown in Monterey?

A
  • Closer to the coast: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

- Further along the valley: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz

27
Q

Compare the climate and wine production of east and west parts of Paso Robles AVA in San Lois Obispo County

A
  • 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
28
Q

Which areas of Santa Barbara County are specialized in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production?

A

The cooler areas

  • Santa Maria Valley AVA
  • Sta. Rita Hills AVA
29
Q

Compare the climates of Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley AVAs

A

Santa Ynez Valley is slightly warmer

30
Q

Which area produces the vast majority of Californian wine?

A

Central Valley

31
Q

Why is the climate of Lodi AVA is different than the Central Valley?

A

Because of the cooling breezes from San Fransisco Bay

32
Q

Lodi AVA is famous for which grape variety?

A

Old vine Zinfandel

WSET 3 by Sarp Sarac (36 decks)

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