California Flashcards
What is an AVA
a georgraphical indication only
no limits on varieties, viticulture, or winemaking practices
95% of fruit must come from stated vintage
75% fruit from single varietal
If there is varietal labelling on a USA wine, what percentage of fruit must come from that variety?
75%
If you state an AVA on the label, how much of that fruit must come from that AVA?
85%
What percentage of the fruit must come from a stated vintage on a bottle from USA?
95%
What percentage of fruit must come from the estate if an estate is on the label of a US bottle?
100%
winery must also be in an AVA
What is the climate in California
mostly mod-warm, mediterranean
coastal regions are cooled by pacific fog
hotter and dryer in central valley
T/F: There is a lot of vintage variation in California?
false
Which Zones are considered most suitable for the production of premium wine in Cali? (1 being coolest, 5 being hottest)
1-3
Compare a Central Valley Chard to one made in Russian river Valley or Carneros
Central Valley: high volume, inexpensive, fruit focused, lower acid
Russian River/Carneros: restrained fruit, premium, chard, more acid, cooler regions.
What is Crljenak Kastelanski (croatian grape)?
Zinfandel
Describe the Zinfandel variety.
Has tendency to ripen unevenly (sometimes grapes have started to raisin) -> concentration of intense red berries, extremely alch, some RS
Most widely planted grape in Cali?
Cab Sauv
Prime growing site for Cab Sauv in Cali?
Napa
What are the factors that contribute to the price Premium Cab Sauv in Cali? What is the style?
long hang time, complex ripe flavours, high alcohol,
strict section of grapes, no expense spares in winemaking, high tech equipment, temp controlled barrel cellars, new french oak
T/F: Better Merlots come from coolers sites in Cali
True
ex. Monteray and North Coast regions (Napa)
What is the flavour of a Cali Merlot
soft velvety tannin, full body, high alch and classic blackberry and plum
Where is Premium Pinot Noir found in Cali?
cooler regions
Russian River Valley, Carneros, and Santa Lucia Highlands
Describe the style of Cali Pinot Noir
light in colour, classic gamey and vegetal notes, rich ripe red fruit
T/F: Fume Blanc always means oak use
False
Some can be unoaked
Which of the following is true of the Central Valley in Cali?
a) it is cooled throughout its length by sea breezes
b) it is hot and arid
c) it is responsible for a small proportion of Cali production
b
What are the 5 viticulture regions of California?
North Coast Central Coast Central Valley Sierrra Nevada South Coast
Napa County and Sonoma County are located in what region?
North Coast
Monterey County, Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo are located in which region?
Central Coast
Which region is Lodi located?
Central Valley
Name the 5 main AVA’s in Napa County
Napa Valley, Rutherford, Oakville, Mount Veeder, Los Carneros
What are the 3 main AVA’s in Sonoma County?
Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley
Where is Santa Maria Valley AVA?
In Santa Barbara County
Where is Paso Robles AVA?
In San Luis Obispo
Of the Napa County AVA’s which one is the most prestigeous
Napa Valley
The Mayacamas Mountains and Vaca Mountains have an important viticulture impact in which county?
Napa County
Mayacayma provides a rain shadow affect
Describe wines from Rutherford, Oakville and Yountville AVA’s
Cab sauv dominant, high quality, ripe dark cherry fruit, med to high alch, soft tannin
Describe wine from Mt Veeder AVA compared to Rutherford
Riper dark fruit, high alc., firmer tannin - because there is no moderating affect from the fog.
What wines does Carneros specialize in?
Premium Pinot Noir and Chard (some for sparkling)
-significant cooling affect from the Ocean (Davis Zone 1)
Match the grape varieties
- RRV
- Dry Creek Valley
- Mendocino County
- Alexander Valley
a. soft textured, full bodied cab sauv
b. high quality old vine zin
c. high quality pinot noir/chard
d. Riesling/Gewurtz
1 - c
2 - b
3 - d
4 - a
In ________ in the Northern part of Central Coast, the influence of the cold Pacific air is strongly felt in the _____ Valley.
Monterey County
Salinas Valley
Grapes of Monterey County
north - Pinot and Chard
South - Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah
Grapes of Santa Barbara County
Pinot Noir
T/F: Paso Robles AVA in San Louis Obispo County is known for making Cab Sauv and Syrah
true
Whats the main grape of Lodi?
Zin
T/F: Carneros experiences significant cooling effect from the ocean
True. It’s Davis Zone 1
What is the Benchland?
The foothills of the Mayacamas Mtns
Napa Cab from the Benchlands
Factors affecting wines style, quality and price
style: they experience morning fogs, which have a cooling influence, it allows them to retain acid and develop flavour. Extended hang times, opulent fruit character
price: They command a lot for their price, so they can spend more money in the vineyard- selecting premium fruit, maximizing blending options, complete control over fermentation temp, new oak
What winemaking technique accounts for a wine being both low in alcohol and off dry
- fermentation is stopped - either by adding SO2 or chilling it down
- when the yeast dies, not all the sugar has been converted to alcohol, leaving some RS and lower alch
Low alcohol, off dry wines are unstable. Why is this and how do you manage it.
- any wine with RS is at increased risk for microbiological infection - sugar = food source for yeast and bacteria (can cause off flavours)
- with can be filtered to removed yeast when the ferment is stopped and kept isolated from all microbes there after
- stability after packaging can be ensured by filtration or pasteurization
Why is the Central Valley so good for cheap, bulk production
- very fertile soils
- Davis Zone 4-5 = hawwwwtttt
- lots of grapes grow
- flat
- cheap
