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2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM > C33 - California /checked > Flashcards

C33 - California /checked Flashcards

1
Q

What is the biggest cooling influence in California?

A

The exceptionally cold California Ocean Current

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2
Q

Where are most of the vineyards of California located?

A

North of Los Angeles

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3
Q

What is the climatic role of the mountains in California?

A

They shield much of the state from the cooling effect of the ocean

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4
Q

What is common evening weather for California?

A

Cold air, often accompanied by fogs is drawn in from the ocean, lowering night-time temperatures

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5
Q

How and when do Californian fogs dissipate? How does this affect the vineyard climate?

A

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

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6
Q

Describe the cooling effect of Californian fogs

A

Some years, the effect can be so dramatic that grapes can struggle to ripen fully

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7
Q

Where in California does the cooling fog penetrate further inland?

A

Where there are gaps in the mountains

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8
Q

Give examples of areas of California that act as funnels for the cold coastal air.

Why do they have this effect?

A

Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties

They are valleys at right angles to the ocean

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9
Q

What is the climate like in areas of California that have no exposure to the ocean?

Give an example

A

Hot

Central Valley

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10
Q

What is the second climatic feature that links all of California’s wine regions?

A

A lack of rain during the ripening season

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11
Q

How is the lack of rain in California’s ripening season counteracted by grape growers?

A

Using drip irrigation

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12
Q

What has been the effect of the lack of rain during autumn in California?

A

It has allowed growers to leave grapes on the vine for long into the season

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13
Q

What has been the result on grapes of the longer ripening season in California?

A

They have concentrated flavours and very high sugar levels

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14
Q

What has been the recent trend in Californian winemaking?

A

There has recently been a greater appreciation for freshness and many growers are picking slightly earlier

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15
Q

What is the most widely planted BLACK grape in California?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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16
Q

Give an overview of Cabernets from prime sites in California

A

They can produce extremely expressive wines that rival the quality of the best produced anywhere

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17
Q

What is regarded as California’s ‘own’ grape variety?

A

Zinfandel

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18
Q

What is the biggest viticultural difficulty with Zinfandel?

A

It tends to ripen UNEVENLY, with the result that harvested fruit can include raisined and underripe grapes

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19
Q

How are underripe/early-picked Zinfandel grapes often used in California?

A

For large volumes of rosé wine

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20
Q

How are Zinfandel-based rosés of California commonly labelled?

A

White Zinfandel

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21
Q

Describe White Zinfandel

Flavour, colour, sweetness, alcohol

A
  • Fruity
  • Pale in colour
  • Medium-sweet
  • Low in alcohol
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22
Q

Give an overview of Merlot-based wines in California

A

Approachable wines with soft tannins and ripe black fruit

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23
Q

Which area of California has the largest plantings of Merlot?

A

San Joaquin in Central Valley

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24
Q

What are the Merlot wines of San Joaquin, Central Valley like?

A

Simple and inexpensive

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25
Q

Give examples of areas that produce better qualities of Merlot in California (3)

What do they have in common?

A
  1. Monterey
  2. Napa
  3. Sonoma

They are cooler sites

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26
Q

Describe the better quality Merlots of California

body, colour, tannin, alcohol, flavours

A 
Luscious body
Deeply coloured
Soft, velvety tannins
High alcohol
Classic varietal flavours of blackberry and plum
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27
Q

Where in California do its premium Pinot Noirs typically come from? (3)

A

Moderate regions:

  1. Russian River Valley
  2. Los Carneros
  3. Santa Maria Valley
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28
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety in California?

A

Chardonnay

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29
Q

Describe the inexpensive, high volume examples of Chardonnay in California
flavour, acidity, oak

Where are they mostly made?

A

Fruity
Low to medium acidity
Sometimes a toasty note from oak staves or chips

Central Valley

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30
Q

Where are the more restrained, less oaky styles of Chardonnay being produced in California?

A
  1. Los Carneros

2. Russian River Valley

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31
Q

What is California’s ‘second’ white variety?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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32
Q

Where does the best Sauvignon Blanc in California come from?

A

The coastal regions

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33
Q

Give an overview of the best Sauvignon Blancs in California

acidity, flavours

A

High acidity and ripe citrus flavours

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34
Q

Where are the more affordable fruity, everyday Sauvignon Blancs of California from?

A

Warmer regions such as Central Valley

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35
Q

What does Fumé Blanc sometimes indicate when used in California?

A

An oaked style of Sauvignon Blanc, but some producers use this term for unoaked wines

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36
Q

Where in California is the majority of wine produced?

A

Central Valley

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37
Q

Briefly describe viticulture in Central Valley, California

A

Soil is very fertile and irrigation is used to increase yield

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38
Q

Where are California’s premium wine regions located?

A

Primarily along the coast

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39
Q

Which 3 of California’s five wine-making regions contain the majority of the state’s well known County Appellations and AVAs?

A
  1. North Coast
  2. Central Coast
  3. Central Valley
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40
Q

What are the principal winemaking counties of North Coast region in California?

A
  1. Napa County
  2. Sonoma County
  3. Mendocino County
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41
Q

Describe the climate of the vineyards in North Coast region

A
  • Strongly influenced by the ocean

- Fog and cool breezes flow through the gaps in the coastal ranges and river valleys

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42
Q

What effect do the fogs and cool breezes of North Coast have on climate?

A

They affect average and diurnal temperature ranges that affect grape-plantings

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43
Q

Which AVA has the most expensive land and some of the most prestigious wineries of California?

A

Napa Valley AVA

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44
Q

What marks the boundary of Napa Valley AVA with Sonoma County?

A

The MAYACAMAS Mountains to the west

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45
Q

What do the Vaca mountains separate Napa Valley AVA from?

A

The northern part of the Central Valley

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46
Q

Where within Napa Valley AVA are the vineyards found?

A

On the valley floor and each valley side

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47
Q

What creates the diverse range of styles available in Napa Valley AVA?

A

The variety of cooling influences which creates a diverse range of climates

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48
Q

What are the most significant cooling influences of Napa Valley AVA?

A

The morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from SAN PABLO BAY

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49
Q

What essentially is San Pablo Bay?

A

The northern extension of San Francisco Bay

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50
Q

Which area of Napa Valley AVA do the San Pablo Bay fogs and breezes moderate?

A

The southern part

51
Q

What is the most southerly vineyard area on the valley floor of Napa Valley AVA?

A

Los Carneros AVA

52
Q

What counties does Los Carneros AVA cover?

A
  1. Sonoma County

2. Napa Valley

53
Q

What 2 grapes are notably produced to a high quality level in Sonoma County? Why is this possible?

A

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

It is cool enough to produce them to a high quality

54
Q

What styles of wine are made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Los Carneros AVA?

A

Still and traditional method sparkling

55
Q

What are the (first) 4 principal AVAs just north of Los Carneros AVA along the valley floor?

A
  1. Stags Leap District
  2. Yountville
  3. Oakville
  4. Rutherford
56
Q

What are Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford primarily renowned for?

A

Premium Cabernets Sauvignon

57
Q

Of the areas most renowned for Cabernet within Napa Valley AVA, which has the least exposure to the cooling influences of San Pablo Bay? What is the result?

A

RutherfordIt’s the warmest during the day

58
Q

Which of the AVAs just north of Los Carneros AVA produces wines with the most power and structure? Why?

A

RutherfordIt’s the least exposed to the cooling influences of San Pablo Bay and so is warmest during the day

59
Q

Which other 3 varieties are widely planted in Napa’s premium Cabernet AVAs?

A
  1. Merlot
  2. Chardonnay
  3. Sauvignon Blanc
60
Q

Describe the flavours produced by whites of Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford

A

They all typically show white TROPICAL fruit

61
Q

What are the AVAs in the upper north of Napa Valley which receive the warmest daytime temperatures?

A
  1. Saint Helena AVA

2. Calistoga AVA

62
Q

What is the result of northern Napa’s warm temperatures on its wines?

A

They can be some of the most concentrated, full-bodied wines in the valley

63
Q

How is the warmth of Napa’s most northerly AVAs moderated? (3)

What is the effect on grapes?

A
  1. Cool air through the Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas
  2. Mountains can provide some relief from afternoon temperatures
  3. Much cooler night-time temperatures help to retain grape-acidity
64
Q

What is the 3 main grape produced in Saint Helena and Calistoga?

A
  1. Cabernet Sauvignon
  2. Zinfandel
  3. Syrah
65
Q

How are the vineyards of the valley sides in Napa Valley cooled, if not by the fog?

A

By their altitude

66
Q

Other than altitude, what else has an important effect on vineyard climate in the vineyards of the valley sides in Napa Valley?

67
Q

Which 2 AVAs of Napa County have west-facing vineyards?

What is the result?

A
  1. Howell Mountain AVA
  2. Atlas Peak AVA

They get full exposure to the hot afternoon sun and tend to be warmer than those facing east

68
Q

Which 3 AVAs of Napa County have east-facing vineyards?

What is the result?

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

Less/no exposure to the hot afternoon sun
Cooler than those on west-facing sites

69
Q

What is the result on wines of the warmer afternoon exposure received in vineyards of Howell Mountain AVA and Atlas Peak AVA?

body, alcohol

A

They tend to be fuller-bodied and with higher alcohol levels

70
Q

What is the general structural difference in the red wines of the valley sides in Napa Valley?

tannin

A

They tend to have higher levels of tannins and less richness on the palate than those on the valley floor

71
Q

What are the principal variety of wines made from vineyards of the valley sides in Napa Valley?

5, ranked

A
  1. Cabernet Sauvignon
  2. Merlot
  3. Cabernet Franc
  4. Zinfandel
  5. Chardonnay
72
Q

Which is the larger of Sonoma and Napa County?

A

Sonoma County

73
Q

Which of Sonoma and Napa has the greater variety of climates?

A

Sonoma County

74
Q

Where is Russian River Valley AVA?

A

Sonoma County, to the west of Napa County

75
Q

What are the weather conditions like in Russian River Valley AVA?

Why?

A

Very cool and foggy

Due to a break in the coastal ranges, known as the Petaluma gap

76
Q

What wines is Russian River Valley AVA known for?

A

High quality, elegant (sparkling) wines made from:

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

77
Q

What are the 3 main AVAs to the north of Russian River Valley AVA?

A
  1. Russian River Valley AVA
  2. Dry Creek Valley AVA
  3. Alexander Valley AVA
78
Q

What is the climate like in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley AVA?

A

Perceptibly warmer than Russian River Valley AVA

79
Q

What 2 varieties are planted chiefly in Dry Creek Valley AVA and where in the valley are they planted?

A
  1. High quality, old-vine Zinfandel is planted above the fog layer on the hillsides
  2. Valley floor vineyards are better suited to Sauvignon Blanc
80
Q

Which AVA of Sonoma County is warmer still, than Dry Creek Valley AVA?

A

Alexander Valley AVA

81
Q

How do the wines of Alexander Valley AVA compare with those of the other Sonoma AVAs?

A

They tend to be fleshier and fuller-bodied

82
Q

What style of wine has Alexander Valley AVA built a particular reputation for?

A

Soft-textured, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon

83
Q

Which varieties other than Cabernet does Alexander Valley AVA successfully make?

A

A range of international varieties

84
Q

Which AVA lies to the west of Alexander and Dry Creek Valley?

A

Sonoma Coast AVA

85
Q

What is the climate of Sonoma Coast AVA?

A

Greatly influenced by the cooling effect of the cold Pacific Ocean

86
Q

How is ripening maximised in Sonoma Coast AVA?

A

By planting on SOUTH FACING slopes

87
Q

What is the weather like in Sonoma Valley AVA?

A

It is heavily influenced by breezes and fogs from San Pablo Bay (like southern parts of Napa)

88
Q

What 2 varieties is Sonoma Valley AVA best known for?

A
  1. High quality Chardonnays

2. Old vine Zinfandels

89
Q

Generally describe Mendocino County

A

Very large and diverse

90
Q

Which county lies to the north of Sonoma County?

A

Mendocino County

91
Q

Name a notable AVA of Mendocino County

A

Anderson Valley AVA

92
Q

What is the weather like in Anderson Valley AVA?

Name 2 varieties that are produced

A

Very cool

Aromatic whites made from varieties such as

  1. Riesling
  2. Gewurztraminer

also Sparkling wines

93
Q

Describe conditions in Mendocino AVA

A

Much warmer and drier than Anderson Valley AVA

94
Q

How does Mendocino AVA achieve such relatively warm, dry conditions?

A

It’s protected behind coastal hills that rise up to 900 metres

95
Q

Describe wines from Mendocino AVA

3 grapes

A

Full-bodied with soft tannins

Often made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah

96
Q

List 3 major wine-producing counties of the Central Coast area in California

A
  1. Monterey County
  2. San Luis Obispo County
  3. Santa Barbara County
97
Q

How can the climate of Santa Cruz Mountains AVA best be described?

98
Q

What is the biggest moderating influence in Monterey AVA?

A

The Pacific Ocean

99
Q

Which 2 varieties are planted closest to the coast of Monterey AVA? Why?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

So that they receive maximum influence from the daily strong, cool winds from the ocean

100
Q

Which is the most notable of the slope-AVAs along the Salinas Valley in Monterey County?

A

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA

101
Q

What variety Santa Lucia Highlands AVA most noted for producing?

A

High-quality Chardonnay with citrus and tropical fruit flavours and balanced acidity

102
Q

What is the major AVA of San Luis Obispo County?

A

Paso Robles AVA

103
Q

Of which 3 varieties does Paso Robles AVA have major plantings?

A
  1. Cabernet Sauvignon
  2. Merlot
  3. Syrah
104
Q

Describe the climate of the eastern zone of Paso Robles

A

Hot, sunny weather and deep, fertile soils

Supple, fruity wines for high volume brands

105
Q

Describe the climate of the western zone of Paso Robles

A

Cooled by marine air

Reputation for high quality Zinfandel and Rhône varieties

106
Q

Which AVA lies to the south of Paso Robles AVA?

A

Santa Maria Valley AVA

107
Q

Where is Santa Maria Valley AVA

A

Santa Barbara County, Central Coast

108
Q

Describe Santa Maria Valley AVA

A

Significantly cooler than Paso Robles AVA

Well-suited to growing premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes

109
Q

What is the result of the slow-ripening in Santa Maria Valley AVA?

A

It can yield wines with concentrated fruit flavours balanced by high acidity

110
Q

What 2 wines are produced in Santa Ynez Valley AVA?

A
  1. Red wines from Syrah

2. Bordeaux varieties

111
Q

Which AVA is in the far west of Santa Ynez?

A

Sta. Rita Hills AVA

112
Q

Describe conditions in Sta. Rita Hills AVA

A

Much cooler than Santa Ynez Valley AVA

113
Q

Why is Sta. Rita Hills AVA so much cooler than Santa Ynez Valley AVA?

A

It’s strongly influenced by the ocean

114
Q

What variety does Sta. Rita Hills AVA specialise in?

A

Pinot Noir

115
Q

What other varieties does Sta. Rita Hills AVA produce?

A

Chardonnay and a number of aromatic varieties

116
Q

Which areas is Central Valley comprised of?

A

Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys

117
Q

Which area produces the vast majority of Californian wine?

A

Central Valley

118
Q

Describe the climate of Central Valley, California

A

Mostly hot and dry

119
Q

Name 2 varieties that were bred in Central Valley, California

A
  1. Rubired

2. Ruby Cabernet

120
Q

Which traditional varieties are widely planted in Central Valley?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay

Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Barbera

121
Q

Which AVA straddles the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys in the middle of Central Valley?

122
Q

What is unique about the conditions in Lodi AVA?

A

Despite being in Central Valley, it is still kept relatively cool, as it is east of the huge Sacramento Delta and thus benefits daily from cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay

123
Q

What varieties are grown in Lodi AVA?

What variety in particular?

A

Most varieties

Home to some of the oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards in the state

2019-06-03 WSET3 EXAM (52 decks)

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