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WSET Dip D3 > California > Flashcards

California Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 2 key influencea on Climate in California

A

Pacific Ocean

Mountain ranges that run along the state

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2
Q

[Cali] Fog can form in the afternoons and often can last into the morning. What effect does this have?

A

Cooling but also reducing exposure to sunshine in those areas that are most affected

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3
Q

Latitude in California?

A

32-42N

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4
Q

How can the climate be described in California?

A

Overall mediterranean
With marked contrasts in seasonal temps of a continental climate
Growing seasons in most regions is generally dry
Dry autumns can extend the growing season

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5
Q

Give a reason why an increasing number of vineyards throughout the state are now using machinery where topography allows?

A

California traditionally benefitted from skilled Mexican labour. However ongoing federal policies on illegal immigration and work permits have led to a reduction in this labour force over recent years

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6
Q

What is the most threatening bacterial disease in California and how is it spread?

A

Pierce’s disease, spread by leafhopper insects called sharpshooters

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7
Q

Weather hazards in California?

A

Spring frosts

Wildfires

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8
Q

What are the most planted grape varieties in California?

A

Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon

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9
Q

Expectation of a premium Chardonnay in California?

A

Medium (+) to full bodied
Pronounced flavours of peach and pineapple
Secondary flavours from MLC and New oak

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10
Q

Expectation of fresher, leaner styles of Chardonnay from California?

A

Less-ripe fruit characteristics (citrus)
Less overt new oak
Some lees contact managed to give struck match aromas from volatile sulfur compounds

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11
Q

Expectation of inexpensive Chardonnays in California?

A

Easy-drinking
Medium acidity
sometimes slight residual sugar
Often unoaked or made with oak alternatives

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12
Q

Why was the AXR1 rootstock found unsuitable for California grape growing during the 1980s?

A

It has some vitis vinifera parentage, so was susceptible to the spread of phylloxera.

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13
Q

Which 2 California wines gained top scores in the 1976 Paris tasting?

A

1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
1973
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

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14
Q

What % does the grape need to be if stated on the label in California?

A

75%

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15
Q

If a wine is labelled “California” what does this mean re grapes

A

Must be made entirely from grapes grown in the state

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16
Q

Rule is County is stated on the label in California?

A

At least 75% grapes need to come from that county

17
Q

Rule if AVA is stated on the label in California?

A

At least 85% grapes need to come from that AVA

18
Q

Rule if Vineyard is stated on the label in California?

A

At least 95% grapes need to come from that vineyard

19
Q

How many AVAs are in Mendocino County and what is the most well-known?

A

13

Anderson Valley AVA

20
Q

10 facts about Anderson Valley AVA

A

[in Medocino County]
1. Day-time temps can be warm but cold air and fog are funnelled inland along the Navarro River, giving cold
evenings and mornings.
2. Inland the valley becomes narrower and reduces the flow of ocean breezes and fog and conditions are warmer
3. Rainfall = 900–2,000 mm per annum, most in winter and spring
4. Cool nights = frost issue
5. Most vineyards are planted on valley sides
6. Pinot Noir and Chard = most planted varieties - still and sparkling
7. Aromatic Alsace varieties successful
8. Generally PN have fresh raspberry, cherry and plum fruit,
medium body and medium (+) acidity - good to outstanding quality
9. Significant producers = Littorai and Williams Selyem
10. Cellar doors take advantage of tourism around Mendocino coast

21
Q

Lake County - Climatic factors, largest AVA, 2 most planted grape varieties, AOI
[6 points]

A
  1. Falls in rain shadow of Mayacama mountains to the west and Vaca mountains to the east
  2. Most vineyards are in southern part of the county around Clear Lake - provides afternoon breezes
  3. Largest AVA is Clear Lake AVA
  4. Most vineyards are planted on ridges around lake = 400-450m, benefitting from cooling effects of altitude
  5. Cab Sauv, Sauv - black grapes are most planted
  6. Small number of prestigious wineries, however a lot of the inexpensive Lake County grapes go into multi-regional blends
22
Q

Alexander Valley AVA

[8 points]

A
  1. North East Corner of Sonoma County
  2. Warm climate, cooled by air funnelled in from Petaluma Gap and Russian River Valley
  3. Vineyards planted both on valley floor and on west / south-west facing slopes on Mayacamas Mountains - 100-750m altitude
  4. Soils = fertile on valley floor, less nutrients, free-draining and gravel on slopes
  5. Avg Rainfall is just over 800mm per year, mainly falls in winter
  6. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted variety and produces full-bodied wines with ripe flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, dried herbs and chocolate - good to outstanding
  7. Significant producers = Kendal-Jackson and Seghesio
  8. Notable plantings of Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Malbec
23
Q

Knights Valley AVA

[4 points]

A
  1. Furthest inland AVA - surrounded by hills = no influence from pacific = one of the warmest areas of Sonoma
  2. Cooler sites planted in foothills of the Mayacamas (450m)
  3. Warm temps; warm, free-draining gravel soils = ripe, full bodied cab sauv (most planted variety)
  4. Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and some Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown
24
Q

Dry Creek Valley AVA

[7 points]

A
  1. Best known for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Sheltered by coastal mountains to the west; mountains on either side of the valley funnel cool ocean air and fogs from San Pablo Bay, during afternoons and evenings = cooler nights
  3. South of the valley is cooler due to coastal influence
  4. West-facing slopes on the east of the river = afternoon sun, warmer than western slopes
  5. Majority free-draining gravelly soils
  6. Old vine zinfandel, 100 yr vines = medium (+) to full-bodied, with medium (+) acidity and ripe flavours of blackberry, black plum and cherry. Maturation in oak typical, some new oak (American). Good - outstanding
  7. Key white variety is Sauvignon Blanc
25
Q

Rockpile AVA

[6 points]

A
  1. Overlaps with Dry Creek AVA, extends up to Mendocino County
  2. Vineyards on steep, rocky slopes - must be above (800ft) 244m to be in the AVA
  3. Heavily influenced by Lake Sonoma, which surrounds the bottom of the AVA on 3 sides. Creates an inversion layer which keeps vineyards relatively warm at night.
  4. Vineyards sit about the fog layer, which means long hours of sunshine
  5. Hillside soils hold little water, windy conditions = high evapotranspiration rates = low yields, concentrated fruit
  6. Black varieties
26
Q

Russian River Valley AVA

[7 points]

A
  1. Middle of Sonoma County, both flat and hilly, climate ranges from Moderate to warm
  2. South and Western parts receive fog and wind through Petaluma gap. Fog arrives in evening, cooling vineyards significantly = slower accumulation of sugar, greater retention of acidity and aroma and flavour compounds ripen
  3. Soils free-draining, low in nutrients
  4. PN = med - med(+) bodied, med tannin, med (+) acidity, ripe strawberry and red cherry, vanilla spice
  5. Chardonnay = med-med(+) body, med(+) acid, ripe peach and pineapple flavours, creamy and spicy from MLC and oak. Good-outstanding
  6. Rochioli and La Crema - Significant producers
  7. NE sheltered by hills, warmer, good for cab sauv, Merlot, Zinfandel, Ripe chards and pinot
27
Q

Premium Zinfandel in California

A

Medium (+) acidity
Medium - full body
Ripe, medium (+) tannins
Flavours that range from raspberry to blueberry and blackberry
American oak is used for maturation, overt vanilla flavours pairing well with juicy profile

28
Q

What is Zinfandel prone to and what does it lead to

A

Prone to uneven ripening

Leads to it’s med(+) acidity and some fresh flavours alongside jammy characters

29
Q

Describe the influence of the Pacific Ocean on California vineyards
[5 points]

A
  1. The Pacific Ocean has a cooling effect on vineyards that would otherwise be very hot.
  2. The California current brings cold water from the north, down the west coast of the USA. Upwelling also brings cool water to the surface, further cooling the adjacent vineyards.
  3. The vineyards facing the ocean experience the cooling effect, whereas those that face inland or are protected from the ocean can get very warm.
  4. Evaporation off the ocean creates a fog layer, that further cools the grapes (especially in the mornings).
  5. Gaps in mountain ranges surrounding the coast mean the cool air from the ocean can be pulled inland too.
30
Q

Which are the five most widely planted black grape varieties in California?

A 
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Zinfandel
Merlot
Syrah
31
Q

Which are the four most widely planted white grape varieties in California?

A

Chardonnay
French Colombard
Pinot Gris
Sauvignon Blanc

32
Q

What is the central valley associated with, and state 2 of the largest producers in the area

A

Large-scale production
E & J Gallo Winery
Bronco Wine Company

33
Q

Paso Robles has become well-known for growing grape varieties associated with which French region?

A

Rhone Valley

WSET Dip D3 (13 decks)

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