California Flashcards
What are characteristics of California wine?
- 90% of U.S. wine production
- Mediterranean climate
- diurnal temperature swings
- consistency of weather
What are the five main AVA regions of California?
- North Coast
- Central Coast
- Central Valley
- Sierra Foothills
- South Coast
What are the characteristics of South Coast AVA?
*runs from Mexico border to Malibu and east to Rancho Cucamonga
*covers five counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,
San Bernadino, San Diego
What are the sub-AVAs of South Coast AVA?
- Temecula
* Malibu Coast
What are characteristics of Malibu Coast AVA?
- hilltop and ocean influence
- soils are volcanic and sea fossils
- sub-AVAs are: Saddle-Rock, Malibu-Newton
What are characteristics of Temecula Valley AVA?
- inland from Northern San Diego
* decimated in 1980 by Pierce’s disease (glassy-winged sharp shooter)
What are the characteristics of Central Coast AVA?
- runs from Santa Barbara County, north to Santa Cruz County
* main varietals are: pinot noir, chardonnay, Syrah, zinfandel, sangiovese
What are some AVAs of Central Coast?
- San Luis Obispo County (Edna Valley, Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande)
- Monterey Wine Country (Arroyo Seco, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey)
What are characteristics of San Luis Obispo AVA?
- 14 (sub-AVAs)
- AVAs based on climate. topography, and ocean influence
- grapes are: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, chardonnay
What are characteristics of Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande AVAs?
- all vineyards are within 5 miles of the Pacific Ocean
- mountains surround
- most wineries are SIP (Sustainability in Practice) certified
- on the seafront side of the Santa Lucia Mountains
- long, balanced growing season
What are characteristics of Paso Robles AVA?
- Paso Robles has been divided into 11 new AVs (12 total)
- calcareous soils, prehistoric skeletal sea animal soil
- 20 miles inland with many hills and valleys
- warm, clear days, no morning fog, evening marine layer
- grapes are: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, viognier, syrah, zinfandel, chardonnay
What are some sub-AVAs of Monterey Wine County AVA?
- Arroyo Seco
- Monterey
- Santa Lucia Highlands
- Chalam
- Carmel Valley
What are characteristics of Monterey AVA?
*rain shadow of Santa Lucia Hills
*beginning of northerly cooler regions
grapes are: chardonnay, pinot noir, Riesling, merlot and other Rhone varietals
What are characteristics of Arroyo Seco AVA?
- long growing season
- low average daytime temps
- sheltered from winds
- grapes are: Riesling and Guwerztraminer
- can produce botrytised wines
What are characteristics of Santa Lucia Highlands AVA?
- east-facing slopes of Salinas Valley
- grapes are: pinot noir and chardonnay
- low vigor vines
- well-drained granite soils