California Flashcards
Cabernet Sauvignon
(North Coast)
North Coast
Full Body Red,
Rich Fruit and Dusty Minerality when grown in volcanic-clay soils.
Napa Valley, Sonoma and Clear Lake make some of the best Cabernets Sauvignons.
Pinot Noir
(North Coast)
Medium Body
The areas that collect morning fog, including Carneros, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Mendocino are more ideal for cooler climate grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Wines deliver Sweet red fruit and finish in subtle notes of Black Tea and Allspice
Cherry, Plum, Vanilla, Mushroom and Allspice
Chardonnay
(North Coast)
As the second most planted variety, Chardonnay loves cooler growing areas and performs exceptionally well in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Southern Napa.
This grape is also a popular choice for North Coast sparking wines which deliver apple and almond cream flavors.
Baked Pear, Pineapple, Butter, Hazelnut, Caramel.
Sauvignon Blanc
(North Coast)
Light Body White
“A less-planted grape from the North Coast making high-quality wines with rich fruity flavors of white peach, orange blossom, and pink grapefruit—very unlike other Sauvignon. Blanc regions. Look to Sonoma and Mendocino, where cooler temperatures maintain acidity.
“WHITE PEACH, PINK GRAPEFRUIT, ORANGE BLOSSOM, HONEYDEW MELON, MEYER LEMON”
Merlot
(North Coast)
Full Body Red
Merlot is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but with bolder cherry flavors and smoother, finer tannins. The grape performs excellently all over the North Coast (at better values than Cabernet!), and will generally be more elegant and herbal from coastal areas and Mendocino.”
“CHERRY, VANILLA, CEDAR, PENCIL LEAD, TOASTED NUTMEG”
Central Coast, CA
“The Central Coast includes Monterey, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara. The vineyards in ocean-facing valleys receive abundant morning fog and are best for cool-climate grapes. Farther inland, it’s hotter and better for sun-loving varieties like Syrah. Central Coast has many commercial growers making value wines, but there is also outstanding quality from smaller producers.”
Chardonnay
(Central Coast)
Full Body White
“Chardonnay takes up the largest vineyard area in the Central Coast, most of which is average quality. That said, there is great Chardonnay here, particularly from Santa Barbara and the regions closer to the coast within Monterey. Wines are often made in a rich, oaked style”
“MANGO, LEMON CURD, WHITE BLOSSOM, TOASTED ALMOND, CRÈME BRÛLÉE”
Pinot Noir
(Central Coast)
“The Central Coast is an amazing area for Pinot Noir, especially from the subregions of Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta Rita Hills, Mount Harlan, and Santa Maria Valley. Expect bold, juicy red fruit flavors supported with spice and vanilla notes.
RED CHERRY, RASPBERRY, ALLSPICE, DARJEELING TEA, VANILLA”
Cabernet Sauvignon
(Central Coast)
Full Body Red
The second-most planted variety in the Central Coast performs best inland, where the fog burns off early and it’s sunny enough to properly soften the tannins. One region that makes particularly plush and rich styles of Cabernet Sauvignon worth exploring is Paso Robles.
BLACK RASPBERRY, BLACK CHERRY, MOCHA, VANILLA, GREEN PEPPERCORN”
Zinfandel
(Central Coast)
Medium Body Red
“In the Central Coast region, Zinfandel is best from Paso Robles, where it’s hot enough to ripen this variety. Wines take on a much juicier and typically lighter style (with less tannin) than in the North Coast.
RASPBERRY, PEACH PRESERVES, CINNAMON, SWEET TOBACCO, VANILLA”
Syrah
(Central Coast)
Full Body Red
“An up-and-coming grape that shows excellent quality potential where it grows in the limestone-dominant clay soils of Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and eastern parts of Monterey. Wines are often rich, meaty, and peppery, with boysenberry and olive flavors.
BOYSENBERRY, BLACK OLIVE, PEPPER STEAK, BACON FAT, SMOKE”
Rhône / GSM Blend
(Central Coast)
Full Body Red
A winery called Tablas Creek started importing Rhône varieties in the early 1990s to Paso Robles. The Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre blends created an explosion of interest for Rhône-style wines made in America. Tablas Creek now has a nursery that supplies baby vines to the entire state.
RASPBERRY, PLUM, LEATHER, COCOA POWDER, SAGE FLOWER”
Napa Valley
(CA)
Perhaps the most famous AVA in California, known primarily for world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, but also producing high-quality Chardonnay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. Napa’s sub-AVAs, like Oakville and Rutherford, also produce distinct styles of wine.
Sonoma County
(CA)
Napa’s neighbor, Sonoma is diverse in its grape varieties and terroirs. It’s known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Key sub-AVAs include Russian River Valley, famous for its cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Dry Creek Valley, known for Zinfandel.
Paso Robles
(CA)
A fast-growing region in Central California, Paso Robles is known for robust red blends, with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre (GSM) being prominent, along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.
