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Guildsomm > California > Flashcards

California Flashcards

1
Q

The 5 “super” AVAs

A

North Coast AVA
San Francisco Bay AVA
Central Coast AVA
South Coast AVA
Sierra Foothills AVA

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2
Q

California produces more than __% of USA’s wine

A

80

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3
Q

What is the purpose of the “super” AVAs?

A

Allows grapes from distant wine regions to be blended and still qualify for an AVA _ estate bottled status

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4
Q

The majority of California’s grape are grown here

A

Central Valley

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5
Q

Three lead red grapes of Napa

A

Cab Sauv
Merlot
Pinot Noir

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6
Q

Two lead white grapes of Napa

A

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc

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7
Q

Napa County contains __ AVAs

A

17

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8
Q

Napa’s valley floor appellations are prime _____ terrirotory and home to most of Napa’s most prestigious wineries

A

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

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9
Q

Carneros AVA is planted mostly with these two grapes

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

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10
Q

Name Napa’s mountain AVAs

A

Mount Vedeer AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Spring Mountain District AVA
Howell Mountain AVA
Atlas Peak AVA

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11
Q

What is the blanket AVA covering Sonoma County?

A

Northern Sonoma AVA is the closest to a blanket – covers most AVAs excluding Sonoma Valley AVA + Carneros AVA

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12
Q

The sub AVAs of Russian River Valley AVA

A

Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Chalk Hill

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13
Q

Where is Dry Creek Valley AVA located?

A

Sonoma County

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14
Q

This AVA within Sonoma County is said to be one of the best spots in California for Zinfandel

A

Dry Creek Valley

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15
Q

Alexander Valley AVA is centered around this river

A

Russian River

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16
Q

Smallest AVA

A

Cole Ranch AVA (Mendocino County)

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17
Q

Anderson Valley AVA is most known for

A

Pinot Noir + Sparkling Wine

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18
Q

in which county is Anderson Valley AVA located?

A

Mendocino County

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19
Q

What is the terrain situation of Mendocino county?

A

Mountanous + forested. Vineyards are confined to river valleys

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20
Q

Why is Mendocino Ridge AVA referred to as “Islands in the Sky”

A

Mendocino Ridge AVA only covers areas of high elevation (min. 1200 ft); noncontiguous

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21
Q

Clear Lake (California’s largest freshwater body of water) is found in this county

A

Lake County

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22
Q

Star performer of Lake County

A

Cabertnet Sauvignon

23
Q

Lake County grapes receive atypically high levels of ultraviolet light. Why is this and what are the results?

A

Cause: great air quality (best in California) + high elevation (avg. 1500 ft)
Result: thicker skins, more polyphenols (flavor compounds) + high tannins + lower pyrazines

24
Q

What area does the Central Coast AVA cover?

A

The Pacific Coast between San Francisco and Santa Barbara

25
The most important counties of Central Coast AVA
Monterey San Luis OBispo Santa Barbara
26
Where is Monterey County?
Central Coast AVA
27
t/f: there is almost zero Chardonnay production in Monterey County
false. nearly 20% of Cali's chardonnay is produced in Monterey
28
Where is Santa Lucia Highlands AVA located?
Monterey County
29
The most important river in Monterey County
Salinas
30
The _______ Valley is the source of 3/4 of California's wine
Central
31
Chenin Blanc is planted to thousands of acres, mostly in....
the Central Valley (bulk wine)
32
What is "Meritage"
trademarked term indicates a blend - no grape accounts for more than 90% - must be Bordeaux varieties
33
Why does Napa Valley get warmer as you travel north?
cool air funnels in from the Petaluma Gap
34
This AVA in Napa is altitude specific, beginning at 1400 feet
Howell Mountain AVA
35
Napa's Mountain AVAs produce ....
Concentrated wines with good acid
36
This AVA in Napa is known for its "dust"
Rutherford AVA - famed forest floor aromatics
37
What can you tell me about Green Valley?
Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA - Sonoma's famous fog is particularly strong here - extending the growing season and allowing the grapes to fully develop their flavor compounds. Famous sandstone ("goldridge") soils limit vigor - resulting in concentrated grapes
38
These two AVAs in Sonoma County are famous for riper, powerful Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley AVA and Rockpile AVA
39
Mendocino County is particularly know for..
biodynamic and organic wines
40
What area does the Central Coast span?
From SF Bay in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south
41
What can you tell me about Livermore Valley AVA?
East side of SF Bay AVA. Premium Sauvignon Blanc + Semillon. Best known producer is Wente
42
The first cuttings of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon in this AVA are said to have come from Chateau d'Yquem
Livermore Valley AVA
43
This county is home to Salinas Valley
Monterey County
44
Lead grape in Monterey
Chardonnay
45
Most of Monterey County grapes end up..
in bulk Central Valley AVA blends
46
What can you tell me about Santa Lucia Highlands AVA?
Located in the Salinas Valley in Monterey County. Premium Burgundy varieties
47
Santa Barbara has a ____ climate
maritime
48
What is unique about Santa Barbara county?
The coastline shifts to run east-west + valleys are also oriented east-west
49
t/f: Santa Barbara county has the longest growing season in California
true
50
What kind of grapes do you find in Santa Barbara county?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Merlot, Rhone varities
51
Where is Lodi AVA?
just south of Sacramento; within the Central Valley
52
Where is San Luis Obispo county?
halfway between SF and LA
53
Oldest commercial winery in California
Buena Vista (Sonoma)

Guildsomm (31 decks)

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