35. California Flashcards
True or False: Zinfandel grapes are difficult to grow and often require extra “hang time” in California.
True, ripening can be uneven within a bunch
What makes Sonoma County’s climate unique within the North Coast wine region?
The valleys have two sources of fog: one from the Pacific Ocean and the other from San Francisco Bay
AVAs regulate just one thing. What is it?
Geographical boundaries
In what year did California wines win the Franco-American International Wine Competition in Paris, an event that launched them onto the world stage?
1976
What two historical events nearly destroyed the early California wine industry?
Phylloxera blight and Prohibition
What percentage of California wineries sell fewer than 5,000 cases a year?
About half, implying a huge number of very small operations
What is the warmest area of the Central Coast AVA? A. Paso Robles B. Monterey C. Santa Barbara D. Alameda
Paso Robles
When did the growth of quality and quantity come to California after Prohibition?
1960’s.
Is irrigation common in California?
yes (dry summers)
What is the common denominator of climate throughout California?
dry summers
What are three effects of fog on viticulture?
slow ripening, increased fruit intensity, retain acidity
Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with deep color, velvet tannins, full body, high alcohol and flavors of blackberry and plum?
Merlot
Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with pale color, and rich layers of red cherry and strawberry?
Pinot Noir (could also have gamey and vegetal notes)
What two factors lead to the best expression of California Cabernet Sauvignon?
long hang-time of the fruit and high-tech winemaking
Which California grape produces the largest crop?
Chardonnay
What is the most harvested red grape in California?
Zinfindel
What is the most widely planted red grape in California?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with full body, high alcohol, low acidity and flavors of oak, hazelnut and butter?
classic style Chardonnay, also with peach and banana flavors
Which Davis zones of degree days are best for premium wine?
coolest (zones I to III)
What property of Zinfindel grape most influences the wine product?
a tendency to ripen unevenly
Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with intense red berry flavors and high alcohol level, possibly with residual sugar?
Zinfandel
Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with pale in color, fruity, low alcohol and medium sweetness?
Zinfandel (White Zinfandel)
Sauvignon Blanc in California is made in a style that is similar to what International benchmark?
California Sauvignon Blanc can be made in two basic styles. One is the New Zealand-style with fresh aromatics with high acid. Second is a ripe, rich, oak-aged similar to Bordeaux (Fume Blanc.)
What is the western boundary of Napa Valley AVA?
Mayacamas Mountains
What is the eastern boundary of Napa Valley AVA?
Vaca Mountains
What is the Davis Climate Zone of Napa Valley AVA?
II in the south and III in the north (thus cooler in the south with more fog as proximity to coast is a bigger factor than latitude or altitude)
What is the main viticultural hazard in Napa Valley
spring frost
Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with ripe, dark cherry fruit, medium to high alcohol and soft-textured tannins?
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley AVA (e.g. Rutherford AVA, Oakville AVA)
What are the main grapes in Carneros AVA?
this is a cooler AVA, best for premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (often blended for sparkling wines)
Name a Napa Valley AVA that does not have moderating effect of fog.
Mount Veeder AVA
Which area of the California North Coast specializes in aromatic white wines?
Mendocino County (Anderson Valley) for Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
What are the two main AVA’s of Santa Barbara County?
Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Santa Maria Valley AVA
What is the main premium grape of Santa Barbara County?
Pinot Noir
What is the main AVA of San Luis Obispo County
Paso Robles AVA
What is the main premium grape of Paso Robles AVA?
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Name 3 AVA’s in Sonoma County.
Russian River Valley AVA, Alexander ValleyAVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA
What is the main premium grape of Russian River Valley AVA?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What is the main premium grape of Alexander Valley AVA?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the main premium grape of Dry Creek Valley AVA?
Zinfandel
Name an area in California where Rhone varieties are common.
inland Salinas Valley of Monterey County
What region produces 80% of California wine?
Central Valley Region
Which AVA in the Central Valley Region benefits from cooling breezes of San Francisco Bay?
Lodi AVA (most promising area of Central Valley for fine wines)
What is the main premium grape of Sierra Nevada Region?
Zinfandel and Italian varieties in Sierra Foothills AVA
What percent of American wine is grown in California?
90%, a production greater than any other country outside of Europe
Where is the hottest, driest wine region in the world?
California Central Valley (San Joaquin Valley)
Name 3 American areas where high quality Pinot Noir is made.
Cooler regions such as Russian River Valley, Carneros and Santa Lucia Highlands (east facing vineyards in Salinas Valley)
Where does Salinas Valley empty into ocean?
North of Monterrey, North Central Coast.
What river runs through Alexander Valley?
Russian River
What river runs through Russian River Valley?
Russian River
What city lies within Chalk Hill AVA?
Windsor
What city lies within Russian River Valley?
Santa Rosa
Bodega Bay is a landmark within which AVA?
Sonoma Coast
Name 4 AVA’s that border or enclose Healdsburg.
Dry Creek Valley, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley
Chalk Hill is a parcel within which AVA?
Russian River Valley
Which area grows more grapes, Sonoma or Napa?
Sonoma
What is the most planted grape in Sonoma?
Chardonnay
What percent of California wine comes from Napa Valley/
4%
What percent of the value of all California wine comes from Napa Valley?
20%
What river runs through Anderson Valley in Mendocino?
Navarro River (not to be confused with Navarra wine region along the Ebro in Spain)
What river runs through the Mendocino AVA?
Russian River
Mount Veeder AVA is located where?
southwestern aspect of Napa Valley in the Mayacamas Mountains.
What is the Davis Zone for Carneros?
I, very cool
Which California North Coast area is well suited for aromatic white wine and sparkling wine?
Anderson Valley
Name 3 distinct soil zones of a typical California wine producing valley.
valley floor, benchland and hillsides
Order the Napa Valley areas from north to south: Calistoga, Napa, Oak Knoll District, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Yountville.
Callistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Oak Knoll District, Napa
What is the best known Napa Valley AVA on the valley floor?
Rutherford (for Cabernet Sauvignon) {Oakville may be a close second]
In which AVA is Silver Oak winery located?
Oakville!
In which AVA is Screaming Eagle winery located?
Oakville
Which aspect of Napa Valley produces “softer” wines?
Eastern slopes (facing West) benefit from afternoon sunlight (may result in higher alcohol)
Name 3 AVA’s in the Mayacamas Mountains of Napa Valley.
(from south to north) Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain District, Diamond Mountain
Name 2 AVA’s in the Vacas Mountains of Napa Valley.
(from north to south) Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak
Where is Edna Valley?
San Luis Obispo County in California, southern aspect of Central Coast Region
What is the difference between Edna Valley and Eden Valley.
Edna Valley is cool climate area in Central Coast California, Eden Valley is a moderate to warm climate area in Barossa Zone of South Australia (cooler areas grow Riesling) [mneumonic EdNA is Not Australia]
