California Flashcards
Describe the climate and grape growing of California.
Hot Mediterranean climate, but ocean influence is big
Mountains block cold air from ocean
Fog and cold air lower temp at night & delay morning heat
Lack of rain a serious issue
Grapes left on vines in Autumn due to lack of rain
Extra hang time = concentrated flavor & high sugar
What are the 2 main AVAs for Mendocino county in the North Coast?
Anderson Valley AVA
Mendocino AVA
Describe Anderson Valley AVA in Mendocino county.
Very cool climate
Grapes: Riesling, Gewurztraminer
Describe Mendocino AVA in Mendocino county.
Much warmer & drier than Anderson Valley
Grapes: Cab Sauv, Zinfandel, Syrah
What are the 4 main AVAs for Sonoma County in the North Coast?
Russian River Valley AVA
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Anderson Valley AVA
Sonoma Coast AVA
Describe Russian River Valley AVA in Sonoma County.
Very cool & foggy due to Petaluma Gap (break in ranges)
Wines are high quality and elegant
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Describe Dry Creek Valley AVA in Sonoma County.
Planted densely on hillsides and floor
Hillsides are high-quality, old-vine Zinfandel (above fog layer)
Valley floor is Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauv and Rhone varieties also popular
Grapes: Zinfandel, Sauv Blanc
Describe Anderson Valley AVA in Sonoma County.
Warmer than RRV and Dry Creek Valley
Wines have full body
Grapes: Cab Sauv, International varieties
Describe Sonoma Coast AVA in Sonoma County.
Climate greatly influenced by cold Pacific ocean
Vineyards planted on South-facing slopes to maximize ripening
Old vine Zinfandel
Grapes: Zinfandel, Chardonnay
What are the 8 main AVAs that make up Napa Valley AVA in Napa County in the North Coast.
Los Carneros AVA
Stags Leap District AVA
Oakville AVA
Rutherford AVA
Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA
Howell Mountain AVA
Mount Veeder AVA
Describe Los Carneros AVA in Napa Valley.
Extends into Sonoma County
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Describe the Stags Leap District, Oakville, and Rutherford AVAs in Napa Valley.
Rutherford is warmest during the day
Red wines have the most power and structure
White varieties (for all 3 AVAs) have tropical fruit
Grapes: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc
Describe the Saint Helena and Calistoga AVAs in Napa Valley.
Warm daytime temps mean concentrated, full body wines
Cool air slips through the mountains in the day
Cool nights mean high acid
Grapes: Cab Sauv, Zinfandel, Syrah
Describe the Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder AVAs in Napa Valley.
On valley sides, cooled by altitude (not fog)
Valley side red wines mean more tannin, less richness
Grapes: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Zinfandel, Chardonnay
Describe Napa County in the North Coast.
Between Mayacamas mountains in the West and Vaca Mountains in the East
Morning fog and cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo bay
Vineyards on valley floor and sides
Average temps and diurnal ranges affected by ocean (fog & breezes)
Napa Valley AVA is divided into smaller AVAs
Describe the Central Valley area.
Produces majority of CA wine
High volume and inexpensive
Hot, dry climate with irrigation required
Rubired and Ruby Cabernet bred for these conditions
Contains Lodi AVA.
Describe Lodi AVA in the Central Valley.
Straddles Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys
Some of the oldest and best Zinfandel in state
Grapes: Zinfandel (+most other varieties)
What are the 4 main AVAs in the Central Coast?
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Monterey AVA
Paso Robles AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
Describe the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in the Central Coast.
Diverse region with hillsides with infertile soils
Moderate climate
Some of California’s most elegant Cab Sauv
Grapes: Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Describe Monterey AVA in the Central Coast.
Salinas Valley has Pacific influence, good Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Further along the valley is warmer, makes good Cab Sauv, Merlot, and Syrah
Includes the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, which makes famous Chardonnay
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (+Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah)
Describe Paso Robles AVA in the Central Coast.
Made up of two zones
East: Hot & sunny, high volume brands
West: Cooled by maritime air, high-quality Zinfandel and Rhone varieties
Grapes: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah
Describe the Santa Maria Valley AVA in the Central Coast.
Cool, filled with low-flying fog
Encourages slow ripening, concentrated fruit with high acid
Includes Santa Ynez Valley AVA, which makes Syrah and Bordeaux varieties
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
What does the term Fume Blanc mean?
An oaked Sauvignon Blanc
What is the most planted grape variety in California?
Chardonnay is most planted of either color
Cabernet Sauvignon is most planted black grape
