California Flashcards
What is the overall climate in California
Mediterranean
- dry growing season and autumn (can extend the growing season, helpful in cool regions)
Explain the cooling influence of altitude
In California vineyards on high altitude will be higher than the layer of fog. This means, more intense sunlight (although the temperature is lower due to altitude). This can lead to more colour and higher levels of tannins in black grapes
Despite drought, what is another hazard and in which areas?
-Bacterial Pierce Disease, spread by leafhopper insects ‘sharpshooters’
-Southern California, central valley but nowadays also Sonoma & Napa (south)
When the AVA is stated on the label, how many % of grapes should be from that AVA?
85%
When the vineyard is stated on the label, how many % of grapes should be from that vineyard?
95%
What is the largest AVA of California
North Coast AVA
In which county is Anderson Valley located?
Mendocino County ( up North near ocean)
Where are vineyards planted in Anderson Valley?
Sloped sides of the valley
What are the main grape varieties planted in Anderson Valley?
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Explain what style of wine the main red grape variety in Anderson Valley produces
-Fresh raspberry, cherry and plum fruit with medium body and medium (+) acidity
-Quality: good - outstanding for (super)premium prices
Explain why the grape varieties in Anderson Valley are suited for this climate
-Near the Pacific: warm day temperatures but cold air& fog are funnelled inland along the Navarro River -> cold evenings&mornings, making it possible for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to retain acidity and its freshness.
-PN & Char are early ripeners, making them suitable in a cooler climate such as that of Anderson Valley
How much precipitation is there in Anderson Valley and what is the effect?
900-2000 mm, which is remarkably high for California. Spring frost can be an issue
What other grape varieties are increasingly popular in Anderson Valley?
Alsace varieties: Gewurz, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc
What is the climate of Lake County and due to which factors?
A warm climate, Lake County is situated in the rain shadow of Mayacamas mountains to the west and the Vaca mountains to the east.
Where are most vineyards planted in the Lake County?
As the name of this AVA says, near the ‘clear lake’ which is the states largest natural lake (Southern part of the AVA)
What is the most popular AVA in Lake County?
Clear Lake AVA
Why does Clear Lake AVA has good conditions for grapegrowing?
- Planted near the lake for moderating influences (afternoon breezes)
- Vineyards planted on higher altitudes (400-450m) on slopes near the lake (benefitting from the cooling effects of the altitude)
What are the 2 most planted varieties in Lake County?
Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc
How many ha are planted in Lake County?
200 ha
How many AVAs does sonoma county have?
18
Are there overarching AVAs in sonoma county? If yes, what does this mean for producers?
-Yes
-can use the term ‘estate bottled’ although winery and vineyards are far away from each other
-Can still put sonoma on the label
In which County is Alexander Valley located? What is the climate and why?
-Sonoma county
-Warm climate which is cooled in the evening from air from Petaluma gap (to the south of Alexander) and russian river to the south
Where are the vineyards located in Alexander Valley?
- on valley floors west/south facing slopes
- or benchlands of Mayacamas mountains 100-750 m high
What characteristics are typical for grapes grown on benchlands of Mayacamas mountains in Alexander Valley?
-due to aspect and altitude: long hours of bright sunshine leading to grapes which are higher in colour and tannins
-influence of altitude also helps with retaining acidity
What are the soil types in Alexander Valley? what does this mean in terms of grape growing?
-fertile soils on valley floor
-with altitude: sand & gravel: free drainage leading to less vigour and lower yields
How much rainfall is there in Alexander Valley? When does it fall?
-800 mm
-mainly in winter
What is the most planted variety in Alexander valley? What style does it produce?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-full bodied
-blackberry, blackcurrant,dried herbs &chocolate
-good - outstanding, mid-priced to premium priced
-sometimes super premium
What is the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon from the valley floor and from slopes/benchlands in Alexander Valley?
-CS valley floor: less tannin
-CS slopes/benchlands: structured&concentrated
What is the location of knights valley? how does this influence the climate
- Most inland AVA
-One of the warmest areas of sonoma due to surroundings of mountains, sheltered from cooling influences
Where are the cooler sites located in knights valley?
-at higher altitudes (up to 450 m) in the foothills of Mayacamas
What is the main grape variety of Knights valley? Why?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
- due to warm temperatures
-due to warm vulcanic soils
What style of Cabernet Sauvignon is produces in Knights Valley?
-Full bodied, ripe style
What is Dry Creek Valley AVA famous for?
-Zinfandel
-Sauvignon Blanc
Where are vineyards planted in Dry Creek Valley?
-valley floor
-slopes on benchlands either side of the valley
Does Dry Creek have warm days? If yes, why? are there any cooling influences?
-Yes
-Sheltered by coastal mountains to the west
-But.. mountains funnel cool ocean air& fog coming from san pablo bay
When do the cooling influences occur in Dry Creek Valley? what is the result?
-in the afternoon and evenings
-providing cooler nights helping to retain acidity in the grapes
There are climatical differences in Dry Creek. Which part of the valley is generally cooler and why?
-South due to coastal influences
Which aspect and which location is warmer in Dry Creek Valley?
-West facing vineyards on the east of the valley = exposure to afternoon sun
-Warmer than western slopes
What are the 2 types of soil in Dry Creek? where is it located?
-gravel,sandy,loam on valley floor
-gravel red clay loam on slopes and benches= free draining, helps to reduce vigour and yields
What makes dry creek well known for zinfandel? Describe the style of Zinfandel
-Old vines (older than 100 years)
-med(+)- full body
-med (+) acidity
-ripe flavours: blackberry, black plum, cherry
-maturation in oak common: new American oak with spices
-good-outstanding, mid- premium prices
What is the difference in style (zinfandel) regarding aspects in dry creek valley?
-west-facing sites up north: warmer, thus riper style with jammy and dried fruit flavours
-east-facing in the south (morning sun): fresher styles
where is Rockpile AVA located?
-Northern part of Sonoma
Where are the vineyards planted in Rockpile?
-On steep rocky slopes
-must exceed 244 metres to belong to the AVA
-up to 650 metres = diverse range of growing conditions
What influences the vineyards in Rockpile AVA? Why?
-Lake Sonoma (in shape of a snake)
-keeps vineyards relatively warm at night
-Vineyards located above a fog layer near the lake = long hours of sunshine
What type of soils are common in Rockpile AVA? this leads to..
-shallow hillside soils hold little water
-together with windy conditions -> high evapotranspiration rate = low yields and concentrated ripe fruit
Is there a wide range of grape varieties in Rockpile? If so, name a few
-Yes
-Zinfandel,petite syrah, syrah, CS,CF,PV, Malbec (mainly red)
Where is Russian River AVA located?
-Middle of sonoma
What is the topography in Russian River AVA?
-flat
-hilly
-both influence the climate which is moderate to warm
Which parts of Russian River valley are the coolest? why? what does this mean for grape growing?
-South and west part
-receive fog and wind from petaluma gap
-significant reduction of temperature
-resulting in: slower sugar accumulation and greater acidity retention as aroma and flavour compounds ripen
Which grape varieties grow in the south and west part of Russian River?
-Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (early ripening)
What are the soils in Russian River? what are its characteristics?
-Yellow sandstone to rocky sandy clay loam
-free draining & low in nutrients = lower vigour and yields
How many ha under vine are there in Russian River?
-7200 ha
-Was 1600 ha 1990s
due to quality of fruit and rising popularity of Pinot Noir
Describe the syle of Pinot Noir in Russian River
-medium (+) bodied
-medium tannin
-med(+) acidity
-ripe strawberry, red cherry sometimes vanilla of oak maturation
-good to outstanding
-mid-priced to super-premium
Describe the style of Chardonnay in Russian River
-medium (+) body
-medium (+) acidity
-ripe peach and pineapple flavours
-often creamy and spicy due to malolactic conversion and oak maturation
-good to outstanding
-mid-priced to super-premium
Which part of Russian River has warmer conditions? Which grapes grow here?
-inland up to northeast corner of AVA
-Sheltered by hills from fog and breezes
-thus warmer conditions
-Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and riper styles pinot noir and chardonnay
Which 2 sub regions are located in Russian river valley?
-green valley of russian river valley AVA
-chalk hill AVA
Where is green valley of russian river valley AVA located? what makes this area special?
-Next to petaluma gap
-gains first fog in the afternoon and last to have the fog burned off in the morning
-one of the coolest conditions in Northern California
What are the soils in green valley of russian river valley? What are the most planted grapes?
-free draining, low-nutrient sandstone soils
-limiting vigour, creating small concentrated grapes
- Pinot Noir & Chardonnay, also for sparkling
-Have higher acidity and fresher fruit flavours compared to other wines in Russian River Valley
Where is chalk hill AVA located? What makes this area special?
-Russian river valley
-North east corner, south of Alexander Valley
-hilly area -> blocks pacific breezes and located quite far inland
- warmer climate
What is the soil type in chalk hill AVA?
-white volcanic ash
-vineyards planted on valley floor up to 500 metres
Which grape varieties are planted in chalk hill?
-Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon en Sauvignon Blanc
What is the climate in the west of Sonoma Coast AVA?
-Relatively cold due to location: just a few kilometres away from the coast
-exposed to cold ocean wind& fogs
What are weather hazards in Sonoma Coast AVA?
-fruit set disrupted due to windy conditions in spring resulting in low yields
What are the growing conditions in Sonoma Coast? Due to this, which grape varieties grow here?
-cool with limited sunshine hours due to fog
-Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
What style of wine is produced in Sonoma Coast?
-relatively light body
-high acidity
-medium alcohol
Name the 2 AVAs within Sonoma Coast
-Fort Ross seaview AVA (located in North west)
-Petaluma gap AVA (southern sonoma county)
What are the label requirements of Fort Ross Seaview AVA?
vineyards must be in AVA above 280 m
What does the altitude in Fort Ross Seaview mean? which grape varieties are grown here?
-that the vineyards are above the fog layer, receiving more hours of sunshine& warmth
- Vineyards still receive coastal winds that provide a moderating influence on temperature
-resulting in: riper fruit (than below fogline) but still fresh, high acidity
-Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Where is Petaluma Gap AVA located? How does this influence the climate
-From gap in Northern coast (runs from pacific ocean) to San Pablo Bay
-high speed wind flows through AVA
Name a positive and negative effect of the strong winds in Petaluma Gap AVA
+ lower temperature
-leaf stomata can close, slowing respiration and photosynthesis
Which grape variety is planted most in Petaluma Gap AVA? What are the 2 other grape varieties? name the overall characteristics compared to other areas in sonoma coast
-Pinot Noir (75%)
-Chardonnay & Syrah
-high acidity, fresh fruit flavours, lower alcohol compared to more inland locations
Where is Sonoma Valley AVA located?
-North east of Sonoma
-on the right from the petaluma gap
-bordered on the east of Mayacama mountains and west by sonoma mountain range
=sheltered from pacific breezes
Which part of Sonoma Valley is the coolest? What does this mean for grape growing?
-South as it opens straight on the San Pablo Bay
-moderate temperatures, leading to slower ripening
Which famous AVA is located in Sonoma Valley and in Napa valley?
Los Carneros
Where is Sonoma Mountain AVA located?
Western side of sonoma valley
What is the aspect of the vineyards in Sonoma Mountain? What does this mean for grape growing?
-East-facing steep slopes
-up to 730 m, above fog layer -> intense sunlight & warm daytime temperatures
How does the climate of Sonoma Mountain affect the style of the final wine?
-intense sunlight & warm daytime temperatures result in ripe flavours & tannins and a deep colour
-Due to altitude, cold air from mountains can give cool nights, helping to retain acidities
What is the main soil type of Sonoma Mountain? What are the characeristics of this soil?
-Volcanic
- free draining and low in nutrients controlling vigour and yields
What is the main grape variety in Sonoma Mountain?
-Cabernet Sauvignon, concentrated style due to climate and soils
-Also concentrated Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah
Which other grape varieties are planted in Sonoma Mountain? Where are they planted?
-Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
-Cooler sites
-West side of AVA which have some cooling influences from coast
Which is the smallest AVA of Sonoma County?
Bennett Valley
What influences the climate in Bennett Valley?
-Surrounded by hills -> warm sheltered conditions in day
-cool air and fog flows into the valley through a break in the hills at night
What are the key varieties of Bennett Valley?
-Syrah, Merlot
-Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
What influences the climate of Los Carneros AVA?
- proximity to San Pablo Bay
- fog & cold winds in the morning and evening
-warm& sunny during the day
-cool to moderate climate
What is the elevation of Carneros AVA? What does this mean?
-low, up to 200 metres
-that vineyards are under layer of fog
Which 2 grape varieties are planted most in Los Carneros AVA?
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Describe the style of the 2 most planted grapes in Los Carneros AVA
- can have: med body, med alcohol, med (+) acidity and fresh fruit
-or: fuller body,riper,higher alcohol
-good to outstanding, mid to super-premium priced
-Merlot, CS and Syrah also planted
If the grapes within Los Carneros come from Sonoma County, what can be stated on the label?
- can state sonoma county on the label (same with napa valley)
What can be stated on the label if fruit from Los Carneros is sourced from bouth counties?
- can only be called ‘Carneros’
What do many large companies in Sonoma/Napa do regarding Los Carneros?
-Own vineyards in Los Carneros
-or buy fruit in Los Carneros to bottle as Los Carneros or to provide higher acidity and fresher fruit to a blend with fruit grown in warmer conditions
Where is Napa County known for?
-High quality wine, in particular from Cabernet Sauvignon
How many ha under vine does Napa Valley have?
18200 ha
What are the aspects for vineyards in Napa Valley?
Both valley floor and on mountain slopes
Which vineyards are affected by fog in Napa Valley?
-Vineyards on the valley floor
-sit under layer of fog giving a higher diurnal range
-Most affected vineyards are located in the South near SPB
-does not burn off into later in the morning -> limiting hours of warmth and sunlight
Which AVAs are most affected by fog in Napa Valley? Why?
-Carneros,Coombsville, Oak Knoll AVA
-Most southerly located
What is the main grape variety of Coombsville and Oak Knoll?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-due to relatively cool conditions produce lighter body with fresher fruit
Where are Yountville, Stags leap district,Oakville and Rutherford located? What is the climate here?
-Napa county up north on valley floor
-warm climates but nights a bit cooled by winds and fog from the bay (with yountville located more south being more affected than rutherford up north)
Which grape variety is most grown in Yountville, SLD, Oakville and Rutherford? Describe the style and quality
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-concentrated ripe fruit, med (+) to full body, high ripe tannins
-more rounder and fruity in youth compared to structured wines from mountain
-blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, spices and herbs
What is the main white grape variety of the AVAs up north in Napa? Describe its style
-Sauvignon Blanc
- ripe juicy wines with peach and tropical flavours
-med (+) acidity
Where are St. Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA located? What does this mean in terms of climate?
-up North with barely any cooling influences from SPB -> warm to hot climate
-Calistoga some cooling influences during afternoon and evening from Pacific breezes coming from chalk hill gap
What is the main grape variety planted in Calistoga and St. Helena?
-Cabernet Sauvignon (big & bold due to warmest climate ) and merlot
-also: Syrah, petite Syrah, Zinfandel
What is typical about the vineyards on mountains sides above the fog layer?
-Can receive longer hours of sunlight than those on valley floor
What is the cooling influence of mountain AVAs? What does this mean?
-Altitude (up to 800 metres)
-Less temperature extremes thus, lower diurnal range
What do the grapes grown in Mountain AVA tend to have compared to other regions in Napa?
-often have higher levels of tannins and acidity than those from the valley floor
Regarding aspect: what does west-facing vineyards mean in the Mountain AVAs?
-exposed to intense afternoon sunshine
-giving higher alcohol and riper fruit characteristics than vineyards on east facing aspects.
What is the coolest Mountain AVA? Why?
-Mount Veeder AVA
- Located on south west of valley, gaining some coastal influences
-Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen here
Which Mountain AVA is also relatively cool? why?
-Atlas Peak
-South east of the valley
-but has afternoon sun = more warmth
What is one of the warmest Napa AVAs? What style of wine is produced here?
-Howell Mountain AVA
-North-east of valley
-Cabernet Sauvignon, intensely concentrated and ripe with high firm tannins
What are the soils like in the Mountain AVAs of Napa?
-thin and poor in nutrients = lower vigour= lower yields and more concentrated grapes
Where are the soils made from in the middle and east of the valley floors of Napa? What does this mean?
-silt& clay
-formed by napa river
-highest fertility& water retaining capacity
-less structured wines than from mountains
Where are alluvial fans located? what is the soil type?
-bottom of the mountain, generally on west side of valley
-often called ‘benches’
-deep&rocky with moderate fertility
-resulting style is in between quality of mountain avas and the valley floor
Are the land and grape prices high in Napa? Why or why not?
-Yes
-due to popularity of napa wines and an inability to expand production
What type of vineyard management is widely practised in Napa?
-drip irrigation due to dry growing season
-machine harvest on valley floor, hand harvest on mountain sites
What can be a weather hazard on valley floors in Napa? Where isn’t this a problem?
-Spring frosts due to cool nights
-no problem in mountain ava’s due to relatively warm nights and air movement
What sustainability certification programme does Napa have? How many vineyards are certified?
-Own = Napa green
-60%
What is the most planted black and white grape variety?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Chardonnay
What was the customer preference regarding Napa wines in the 1980s/1990s
- full-bodied intense wines (late-harvest for extra-ripe flavours, higher alcohol and lower acidity)
-matured in high proportion of new oak: vanilla, coconut and toast flavours
What is the customer preference regarding napa wines now?
-picked earlier (no extra ripe flavours)
-still high proportion of new oak for red wines but a shorter period of time
-well resourced wineries leads to experimentation but also for optical sorters (machines) to select the healthiest fruit
Is blending common in Napa Valley although the label says single varietal?
-Yes, CS is often blended with small propotions of for example, merlot,CF, petite sirah
Is blending from different vineyards/sites common in Napa? Explain
-Yes
-may be within or across AVAs
-vineyards of different soil types: fertile/less fertile
-or fruit from cooler los carneros with riper fruit from north
What is the general quality of CS from napa valley?
-depends on winemaking choices and climates, big variation in quality
-generally: good- outstanding and premium to super premium
Name some of the most famous producers in Napa
-Screaming Eagle
-Harlan estate
-Stag’s leap wine cellar
What are the styles of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in Napa? Depending on what?
-influenced by sites
-cooler valley floor= higher acidity
-warmer valley floor = riper fruit
-mountain AVAs = less pronounced fruit
-char: fermented/matured in oak (less long than past)
-SB=unoaked style
The Central Coast AVA is cooled by what?
-Marine air funnelling through gaps in the coastal hills
Where is Livermore Valley AVA located?
East side of San Francisco Bay (central coast)
The climate in Livermore Valley AVA is influenced by..
-Afternoon winds
- hot air rises from inland central valley to east, sucking in cool air from SFB
What is the soil type of Livermore AVA? What does it do?
-Stony soils
-Free draining, thus low vigour
What are the most planted grape varieties in Livermore AVA?
-Chardonnay
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Sauvignon Blanc
-Zinfandel
What style of wine is typical from Livermore Valley AVA?
-Concentrated ripe flavours and tannins
-but fresh acidity
What is one of the well known producers of Livermore Valley AVA? Why?
-Wente
-established in 1880s bringing chardonnay cuttings from Meursault and Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings from Margaux
-Livermore Valley is one of the oldest AVAs
-80% of these are related back to these cuttings
What is special about Santa Cruz Mountains AVA?
-many vineyards planted at high altitude, up to 800 metres along a ridge line
-moderating influence on day time temperature
-at night: cool air slips down the slopes forcing warm air to go up =nights relatively warm
-frost generally avoided
Which grape varieties are common in Santa Cruz Mountains?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Chardonnay
-Pinot Noir
The Eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains is better suited to which grape varieties? Why?
-Zinfandel,Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
-Tend to be warmer
-Borders silicon valley
Name a significant producers in Santa Cruz Mountains
-Ridge vineyards
What is the quality/ price in general of wines from Santa Cruz Mountains?
-Good to outstanding
-mid-priced to super-premium
Monterey AVA is part of which county of which overall AVA?
-Monterey county
-Central Coast AVA
The majority of AVAs within Monterey are near what? What does this mean in terms of climate?
-Salinas River Valley
-Moderated by cool marine air funnelled from Monterey Bay
- Salinas river opens directly onto Monterey Bay
-Deep canyon in Monterey Bay= cold water
-result: afternoons and evenings in Salinas River Valley are relatively cool and windy
What is the coolest area of Monterey AVA? What grape varieties grow here?
- to the North
-Pinot Noir and Riesling
What grape varieties grow more inland in Monterey?
-Warmer conditions
-Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, syrah, zinfandel
What is the main grape variety of Monterey? Where does it grow?
-Chardonnay
-50% of plantings
- cooler and warmer sites
What is the soil type of Monterey? What does this mean?
-Sandy loam and gravel
-free draining
Is rainfall during the growing season low or high in Monterey? What does this mean?
-Low
-Irrigation necessary, comes from salinas river (easy accessible)
Which factors influence the price and quality of Monterey wines?
- ease of irrigation & mechanisation
-flat valley floor
=inexpensive to mid-priced high volume wines
Where are vineyards planted in Santa Lucia Highlands AVA?
-South east facing alluvial terraces overlooking salinas valley
-up to 350 metre
Where is Santa Lucia Highlands AVA located?
-Relatively near Monterey Bay
-exposed to wind and fog
What is an advantage and disadvantage regarding climate conditions in Santa Lucia Highlands?
+elevated locations take full advantage of morning sunshine before afternoon maritime breezes cool vineyards
-too windy= vines stomata close, slowing ripening
What are the key grape varieties in Santa Lucia Highlands? What style do they produce?
- Chardonnay& Pinot Noir
-Syrah in more sheltered sites
-style: fresh flavours and high acidities
What is the location of Arroyo Seco AVA?
-in Monterrey county (central coast)
-south&east from santa lucia mountains
-starts at gorge in Arroyo Seco Canyon (foot santa lucia mountains), opens out until the salinas valley floor
What are the vineyards in the Arroyo Seco Canyon like?
-Warmer because sheltered from coastal infleunces
-Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Merlot
Where do other grapes grow in Arroyo Seco AVA? Which varieties
-Valley floor
-exposed to afternoon breezes
-chardonnay and riesling
What altitude are vineyards planted in Chalone? What does this mean?
-550 metres
-above fog line = intense sunshine
-cold nights help to retain acidity
What is the soil type of Chalone? what does this mean?
-granite&limestone
-free-draining
-low yields of concentrated grapes
What are the 2 main planted grape varieties in Chalone
-Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Where are the vineyards planted in Carmel Valley?
-High altitude up to 670 metres above fogline
-some vineyards (depending on aspect) sheltered from coastal influences = warmest of monterey
-also vineyards near coast = cooler
-nights are cool due to altitude &surroundings by mountains
What are the most planted grape varieties in Carmel Valley sheltered from coastal influences? and the varieties near the coast?
-Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot
-Pinot Noit & Chardonnay
In terms of vineyards planted, was paso robles big or not? what happened then?
-Yes, 250.000 ha until 2014
-subdivided in 11 AVAs reflecting distict features in the growing environment
What is the topography of Paso Robles?
-rolling hills
-valley floors
-mountain sites up to 670 m with cooling influences
Which part of Paso Robles has a warmer climate? What style of wine is produced here?
-East
-Fuller bodied, concentrated, ripe fruit flavours
Which part of Paso Robles can produce fresher wines?
-West
-nearer the Pacific ocean
-higher acidity&fresher flavours
-Templaton gap= low gap in coastal range, Pacific ocean air can reach further inland areas
What is the soil type of Paso Robles? what is it feature?
-Calcereous soils (not common in California)
-if with clay = good water retention which can be useful in a climate with moderate rainfall
-irrigation might not be neccessary, growers can dry farm
What are the main grape varieties in Paso Robles?
-Cabernet Sauvignon 40%
-also:merlot, syrah, zinfandel
-black&white rhone varieties
which quality is mainly produced in Paso Robles?
-in-expensive to mid priced and of good quality
What is remarkable about Edna Valley AVA?
-one of the coolest regions of California
-only 8 km away from pacific ocean
-receives cool fog and wind from Morro bay to the north
What are the main grape varieties in Edna Valley?
-Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
-high quality
-also: sb, syrah, albariño & viognier
Describe the climate of Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
-One of cooler areas of state
-days warm and sunny
-cool Pacific fog and wind funnelled up into the valley = cools temperatures at night = higher acidity in grapes
What are the main grape varieties of Arroyo Grande Valley AVA?
-Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
-also for sparkling wines
Where is Santa Barbara county located?
Most Southern part of the central coast AVA
What is the difference between the Eastern and Western side of Santa Barbara? Why?
-Western side of valleys face the Pacific ocean and funnel in the cooling breezes and fog eastward into the vineyards, lowering temperatures
-Western sides are cooler and windier than Eastern sides
What is positive about wind in Santa Barbara?
-The air circulation helps reduce the risk of frost&fungal disease
-Grapes can be kept on vines into autumn months = positive for cooler regions
What are the 2 common grapes in Santa Barbara on the cooler sites?
-Chardonnay
-Pinot noir
Describe the styles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara
-Chardonnay: med(+) - high acidity, medium (+) body, lemon, grapefruit, peach
-Pinot Noir: med(+) - high acidity, med(+) body, med tannins, red cherries & plum, alcohol can be high
Where is syrah grown in Santa Barbara? explain the style
-In warmer sites
- medium (+) body, medium (+) tannins and acidity, blackberry and plum
What is the quality generally speaking in Santa Barbara?
-good to outstanding
-mid-priced to super premium
-Mail road wines is a significant producer
What does legislation prohibits regarding cellar doors?
-Not permitted at winery but in the town or city
Where is Santa Maria Valley located?
-North in Santa Barbara County
-Runs west to east: funnelling cool pacific ocean air to the vineyards, keeping temperatures cool
At what elevation are vineyards planted in Santa Maria Valley? What is the soil type?
-100-250 metres on hillside slopes
-sandy clay shale loam
What are the most planted grape varieties in Santa Maria Valley?
-Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
-followed by syrah&viognier
What is the climate of Santa Ynez Valley AVA?
- Cool coastal temperatures
-Warm temperatures inland
How many sub AVAs does Santa Ynez have? name them
-4
-Sta Rita Hills
-Ballard Canyon
-Los Olivos District
-Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
What is the location of Santa Rita Hills?
-Western edge of Santa Ynez
-closest to Pacific ocean= first to receive morning fog&breezes through the Transverse ranges
What is the main soil type of Santa Rita Hills?
-calcium rich soils
but.. hilly terrain results in a mixture of soils and different sites, leading to different grapes being grown
Which grape variety is Santa Rita hills famous for? describe the style
-Pinot Noir
-black cherry, black plum, tea leaf & savoury notes
-med (+) to high acidity, med(+) tannins
-premium and super premium prices due to small supply and strong demand
Where is Ballard Canyon AVA located? What are the weather conditions?
-In Santa Ynez Valley, more inland
-small plantings
-Canyon runs North to South, sheltering from most cool ocean breezes from the west
-but: overnight fogs = cooler nights
-overall warmer conditions
How do the weather conditions influence the grapes being planted in Ballard Canyon?
-Warmer conditions = later ripening varieties
-Syrah & Grenache most planted
Where is Los Olivos AVA located?
-Alluvial terraces above the Santa Ynez river
- in between Ballard Canyon and happy Canyon
What is the climate of Los Olivos AVA? Which grape varieties are planted because of this?
-warm sunny days
-not a lot of altitude nor fog influences = low diurnal range
-Bordeaux and Rhone varieties and Italian
Where is Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara located?
-Eastern end of Santa Ynez AVA, furthest from Pacific Ocean
-newly formed appellation
What is the climate of Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara?
-Blocks Pacific coastal breezes = warm temperatures
Which influences in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara moderate temperatures?
-High altitude sites
-Exposure to afternoon winds
-both lead to higher diurnal range
Which grape varieties are planted in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara?
-Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc mostly planted
-also other Bordeaux varieties, Syrah and Grenache
Where is Sacramento Valley located? With how many ha under vine?
-inland in the Central Valley
-Northern half
-6700 ha
Where is San Joaquin Valley located? With how many ha under vine?
-Central Valley
-Southern half
-61000 ha (very high)
Where are vineyards mainly located in the central valley?
- on flat fertile areas
-high yielding for large scale production
What are the day time temperatures in the Central Valley?
-very hot, 35-40 degrees celcius
-very ripe grapes
What are the main grape varieties of the Central Valley?
-colombard, chardonnay, muscat
-zinfandel, merlot
How are most wines coming from Central Valley labelled?
-As ‘California’
-coming from San Joaquin Valley
-San Joaquin,Sacramento Valley nor Central Valley are NOT AVAs
Where is Lodi AVA located? How many ha under vine?
-Northern end of Central Valley
-160 km inland from San Francisco Bay
-45000 ha (large!), 2 as large as Sonoma county
What is the climate of Lodi? What are moderating influences?
-Hot mediterranean
-moderated by cooling afternoon winds from SFB and the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta
-flat land with breaks between the north and south coast ranges = breezes off the Bay can travel far inland
What is the soil type in Lodi?
-free-draining sandy and clay loam soils
Is irrigation Neccessary? If so, where is it sourced from in Lodi?
-Yes, rainfall is low
-Sourced from Mokelumne river that flows through the AVA
Which role does wind play in Lodi?
-Reduce the risk of spring frost and fungal disease pressure
How are vines generally trained in Lodi? Why?
-cordon-trained, VSP trellised
- because replacement cane requires too much labour
-oldest vineyards= old bush vines
What do the growing conditions in Lodi mean for the grapes?
-can ripen well and maintain some degree of freshness
-diversity of grapes: rhone, south of france, bordeaux, spain, portugal, germany
Where is Lodi particularly well known for? why?
-old vines Zinfandel
-some over 100 years old due to sandy soils ->phylloxera not a problem
What is the style of Zinfandel from Lodi?
-Medium to full bodied
-medium (+) acidity
-ripe tannins
-cherry, blueberry, blackberry
Where are the grapes from Lodi mainly used for? name 2
-for inexpensive California blends made by large producers due to low price for fruit
-Or used in wines made from grapes entirely from the AVA
What is the quality of Lodi wines?
-From good to very good and some outstanding
-inexpensive to premium
What are the most expensive wines from Lodi like?
-from single vineyards
-old bush vines which are dry farmed
-significant producers: Michael David and Ravenswood
in 2006 Lodi is divided in …. sub AVAs. What is the most famous one and why?
-7
-Mokelumne river AVA
-contains majority of Lodi’s wineries and old vines Zinfandel
What must appear on the label if the wine is from one of the sub-AVAs?
-The name of the AVA
-Must also state ‘Lodi’
What was the first sustainability programme of California called? How many wineries are certified?
-Lodi Rules
-over 1000 (in California and elsewhere)
-1/5 of Lodi’s vineyards are certified sustainable
Clarkburgs AVA climate is similar to.. why?
-Lodi AVA
-proximity to delta
-hot days moderated by afternoon breezes
Which grapes are most planted in Clarksburg AVA?
-Chenin blanc & petite syrah
also:char,pg,sb&viognier
Are most wines from Clarksburg labelled as Clarksburg AVA?
-No
-majority of grapes will be used in Californian blend
Where is Sierra Foothills AVA located?
-160 km east of San Francisco
-Western foothill of Sierra Nevada mountain range
What is the climate of Sierra Foothills AVA?
-Hot daytime temperatures (35-40 degrees)
- moderating effect: cool air from mountains at night = higher diurnal range
Name a reason in terms of grape growing to plant on high altitudes in Sierra Foothills. Name 2 AVAs with altitude
-Helps to manage sugar levels
-Amador County (up to 600 metres)
-El Dorado (up to 1000 metres)
What is the main soil type of Sierra Foothills? Name its characteristics
-sandy clay loam
-decomposed granite, helps to retain sufficient water to allow dry farming
Which grape variety is sierra foothills known for?
-Old vine zinfandel (even over 100 years)
also: Rhone, Italian varieties and Spanish
Where is the South Coast AVA located?
-South of Los Angeles to the border of Mexico
What is the latitude of the South Coast AVA? What does this mean
-low latitude, warm days
-means that altitude can be necessary for temperature relief to be able to produce quality wine
What happened in the south coast in the1990s? What does this meant for wine production?
-Pierce disease
-allowed producers to reconsider the varieties, now more quality focussed than quantity
What are the main grape varieties of the south coast ?
-Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
-Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon
