California Flashcards
1
Q
California produces approximately _____% of the United States’ fine wine.
A
90%
2
Q
Name three grapevine species native to North America, and their common names.
A
Vitis labrusca (Concord) Vitis rotundifolia (Scuppernog) Vitis aestivalis (Norton)
3
Q
Franciscan monks brought what grape upwards from Mexico to California? Give a synonym for the varietal.
A
Mission; Listán Prieto
4
Q
In what year was California’s first wine from the Mission grape produced, and where?
A
1783
San Juan Capistrano Mission
5
Q
What mission once occupied the site that is now the town square of Sonoma?
A
San Francisco de Solano Mission
6
Q
Who was the American settler to arrive in Napa Valley?
A
George Yount
7
Q
Agoston Harszthy founded what winery in Sonoma?
A
Buena Vista
8
Q
The oldest winery in Napa Valley is __________, founded in _____.
A
Charles Krug, 1861
9
Q
Charles Krug worked for what pioneer of Sonoma wines?
A
Agoston Haraszthy
10
Q
The oldest continuing operating winery in Napa Valley is __________.
A
Beringer
11
Q
In what year was Beringer established?
A
1876
12
Q
Name the Finnish immigrant who founded Inglenook Winery.
A
Gustav Niebaum
13
Q
When was phylloxera first discovered in Napa and Sonoma?
A
1870s
14
Q
What native American grape and it’s hybrids became favored due to their resistance to phylloxera?
A
Vitis riparia (riverbank)
15
Q
Prohibition was enacted with the passage of which Constitutional Amendment?
A
18th Amendment
16
Q
In what year did Prohibition begin?
A
1920
17
Q
Name a prominent way in which wineries were able to skirt the effects of Prohibition.
A
They produced sacramental wine.
18
Q
In what year was Prohibition repealed?
A
1933
19
Q
Which Constitutional Amendment ended Prohibition?
A
21st Amendment
20
Q
Who was the self-declared “House of Altar Wine”?
A
Beaulieu Vineyards
21
Q
Who was founded of Beaulieu Vineyards?
A
Georges de Latour
22
Q
In 1938, who was hired to oversee production at Beaulieu Vineyards?
A
André Tschelistcheff
23
Q
What iconic Napa wine was introduced by Tschelistcheff?
A
Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
24
Q
Name improvements Tschelistcheff brought to Napa Valley
A
Improved winery hygiene
Temperature controlled fermentation
Controlled malolactic fermentation
25
Name 4 winemakers mentored by Tschelistcheff.
Robert Mondavi
Joe Heitz
Louis Martini
Miljenko "Mike" Grgich
26
Name 4 wineries to survive Prohibition.
Beringer
Beaulieu Vineyards
Inglenook
Charles Krug
27
Prior to starting his own eponymous winery, Robert Mondavi work at what historic property?
Charles Krug
28
In what year did Robert Mondavi Winery declare their first harvest?
1966
29
What was Robert Mondavi's impact on Sauvignon Blanc in Napa Valley?
Renamed it "Fumé Blanc" and aged it in oak
30
Apart from Buena Vista/Haraszthy, name 3 other early pioneers in Sonoma.
Hanzell
Martin Ray
Simi
31
In what year did Mondavi release the first "Fumé Blanc"/
1968
32
What property did winemaker Paul Draper assume control of in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
Ridge Vineyards
33
Name the oldest commercial winery in Monterey.
Chalone Vineyard
34
Who established the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard?
Richard Sanford, Michael Benedict
35
Where is the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard located? (Region and subregion)
Santa Barbara
| Santa Ynez Hills
36
Who organized the 1976 "Judgement of Paris"?
Steven Spurrier
37
Which two wines took 1st place against Bordeaux and Burgundy, respectively?
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
| Château Montelena Chardonnay
38
What was the first Napa Valley Cabernet to top the $100 mark at release? In what year?
Diamond Creek
| 1978
39
When did a recurrence of phylloxera strike California's vineyards?
1980s
40
In what decade did Napa see a stylistic shift towards greater ripeness, body, and alcohol?
1990s
41
Name 3 cult wines from Napa Valley
Harlan Estate
Colgin
Screaming Eagle
42
What federal bureau oversees the AVA system today?
Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB)
43
In what year did Napa Valley gain AVA status?
1981
44
In what year was Calistoga AVA approved?
2009
45
What controversy surrounded the creation of Calistoga AVA?
Rights of a brand vs. truth in appellation labelling
Calistoga Cellars and Calistoga Estates both didn't use enough Calistoga fruit to have the name on their labels. When the AVA was approved, neither winery was grandfathered.
46
True/False: AVAs are only indication of geographic origin.
True
47
Percentage of Grapes - Appellation
County, State, Country = _____%
What are the exceptions?
75%
California, Oregon require 100% (for state)
Washing requires 95% (state)
48
Percentage of Grapes - Appellation
| AVA = _____%
85%
49
Percentage of Grapes - Appellation
| Single Vineyard = _____%
95%
50
True/False: American or imported wines with a declared vintage may be labelled only by country.
False.
| A smaller appellation is required if a vintage date is declared.
51
If a wine is labelled with an AVA, what percentage of grapes must come from the stated vintage?
Minimum 95%
52
If vintage-dated wines are solely labelled by county or state, what percentage of grapes must come from the appellation?
Minimum 85%
53
Varietally labelled wines must contain _____% of the stated varietal. The exception is __________, which may account for _____% of the wine
75%
Vitis labrusca (i.e. Concord)
51%
54
What margin is permitted for alcohol declarations on wine?
+/- 1.5%
55
What is the approved alcohol range for "table wine" or "light wine"?
7-14%
56
When is the phrase "Contains Sulfites" required on wine labels?
When sulfite concentrations meet or exceed 10ppm
57
True/False: All wines in the US must declare the name and address of the bottler.
True
58
What are the requirements for "Estate-Bottled" wines?
Grapes grown on land owned or controlled by estate
| Winery, vineyards must be in same AVA
59
Who was a major proponent of the massive Northern Sonoma AVA? What was the purpose?
Gallo Wines
| They're now free to blend across pre-existing AVAs for "estate bottled" wines
60
Name the 4 large AVAs the encompass the major wine regions of California.
North Coast
Central Coast
South Coast
Sierra Foothills
61
What area is encompassed by the South Coast AVA?
The land between Los Angeles and San Diego
62
True/False: The Central Valley of California is a standalone AVA.
False
63
75% of California's wine is produced in the __________.
Central Valley
64
Who holds the trademark to the term "Meritage"?
The Meritage Alliance
65
What are the requirements for "Meritage" wines?
Blends where no varietal accounts for more than 90%
May be red or white
Must be Bordeaux varietals
66
Name the counties of the North Coast AVA
```
Napa
Sonoma
Mendocino
Lake
Solano
Marin
```
67
How many sub-AVAs are contained within the Napa Valley AVA?
16
68
The Napa Valley stretches from the __________ in the south to __________ in the North
San Pablo Bay
| Calistoga
69
How do temperatures differ between the northern and southern ends of the Napa Valley
Temperatures rise as one moves northward
70
Ocean air travels through the __________ to the San Pablo Bay, keeping the south end of Napa Valley cool
Petaluma Gap
71
What is the southernmost AVA of Napa Valley?
Carneros
72
What is the northernmost AVA of Napa Valley?
Calistoga
73
Name the mountain range that forms the western side of Napa Valley.
Mayacamas Mountains
74
Name the mountain range that form the eastern side of Napa Valley.
Vaca Mountains
75
Altitude in Napa ranges from _____ ft. to over _____ ft..
0, 2000
76
Where are soils likely to be thinnest in Napa?
On hillsides
77
What was the first sub-AVA in Napa Valley?
Howell Mountain
78
How does fruit from the valley floor compare to fruit from hillsides?
Valley floor = more elegant, supple
| Hillsides = dense, dark fruit
79
How many AVAs lie within Sonoma?
17
80
Which is larger, Napa or Sonoma?
Sonoma
81
Carneros AVA falls into what category on the heat summation index?
Region I
82
Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley both qualify as __________ on the heat summation index.
Region III
83
Where are the coolest temperatures in Sonoma experienced?
Northern part of Sonoma Coast AVA
84
What keeps the temperatures of the northern Sonoma Coast so cool?
Combination of altitude, ocean air, coastal fog
85
The Russian River Valley is primarily known for which two varietals?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
86
What soil type characterizes the Russian River Valley?
Fertile, alluvial soils
87
Sandy loam soils found in the Russian River Valley are known as what series?
Goldridge
88
Name two AVAs that lie within the bounds of Russian River Valley AVA.
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
| Chalk Hill
89
Name 3 notable producers of wines from the Sonoma Coast.
Peay
Marcassin
Hirsch
90
Name 4 notable producers from the Russian River Valley
Dehlinger
Joseph Swan
Rochioli
Williams-Selyem
91
What two counties of the North Coast AVA lie north of Sonoma County?
Medocino
| Lake
92
Name the AVAs of Sonoma that have "Valley" in their name.
```
Alexander Valley
Bennet Valley
Dry Creek Valley
Knights Valley
Russian River Valley
Green Valley of Russian River Valley
Sonoma Valley
```
93
The majority of Carneros AVA lies within [Napa/Sonoma}.
Sonoma
94
Which AVA of Sonoma is the warmest?
Knights Valley
95
What kind of soils are found in both Alexander Valley and Knights Valley? To what family of grapes are they most suited?
Gravelly soils
| Bordeaux varietals
96
How does Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley compare with that of Napa Valley?
Trends towards a more herbaceous character and a lighter body
97
Zinfandel is most associated with what two AVAs of Sonoma?
Rockpile
| Dry Creek Valley
98
True/False: Zinfandel from Sonoma may be either American or French oak treatment.
True. Both are frequently used.
99
What mountain ranges frame the Sonoma Valley AVA?
```
Sonoma Mountains (west)
Mayacamas (east)
```
100
True/False: In contrast with Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley tends to be cooler towards the north end.
False
| Temperatures also rise as one moves northward
101
Name 3 AVAs nested within Sonoma Valley AVA.
Bennett Valley
Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Sonoma Mountain
102
What grape is Bennett Valley most known for, and why?
Merlot
| It's too cool to routinely ripen Cabernet Sauvignon
103
What labelling law change was passed in 2011 that effects those from Sonoma?
Wines produced in the county must say "Sonoma County" on the label, regardless of another AVA also being used/unused.
104
The best wine regions of Mendocino County are found at the juncture of what two rivers?
Navarro and Russian Rivers
105
True/False: The Mendocino AVA covers the same area/boundaries as Mendocino County.
False
| The AVA has tighter boundaries than the county
106
Name the AVAs encompassed by Mendocino AVA.
```
Anderson Valley
Potter Valley
Redwood Valley
McDowell Valley
Yorkville Highlands
Cole Ranch
Mendocino Ridge (in part)
```
107
What AVA straddles the Sonoma/Mendocino county line?
Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak
108
Apart from Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak, name two other AVAs in Mendocino County that are not included within the Mendocino AVA.
Dos Rios
| Covelo
109
In what year was the Mendocino AVA reduced in size? What was the reason?
2014
| So it wouldn't overlap with the new Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA
110
What is the smallest AVA in the United States? Who is the dominant producer?
Cole Ranch
| Esterlina
111
What Champagne house established American operations in Anderson Valley?
Louis Roederer
112
What producer essentially has a monopole of McDowell Valley AVA?
McDowell Valley Winery
113
What is the elevation restriction for the Mendocino Ridge AVA?
1,200 ft + altitude
114
Name the most prominent inland AVA of Mendocino County.
Clear Lake
115
The Central Coast AVA spans from __________ in the north to __________ in the south.
San Francisco Bay
| Santa Barbara County
116
Though Santa Cruz County lies within the Central Coast AVA, what smaller appellation is excluded?
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
117
Describe the climate of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA.
Cool, coastal
| High-altitude vineyards
118
To what viticultural hazard did the original Bonny Doon Estate Vineyard fall prey?
Pierce's Disease
119
Who owns/farms the Monte Bello vineyard?
Ridge
120
What is the most successful varietal in Livermore Valley?
Sauvignon Blanc
121
Name the two valleys encompassed by Monterey AVA.
Carmel Valley
| Salinas Valley
122
Gary's Vineyard is located within what AVA?
Santa Lucia Highlands
123
Name the mountain range in San Benito County that is home to the Mount Harlan AVA.
Gabilan Mountains
124
Paso Robles AVA lies within what county?
San Luis Obispo
125
In what year were 11 nested AVAs approved for Paso Robles?
2014
126
Name the geographic feature that keeps the western side of the Paso Robles AVA cool.
Templeton Gap
127
Who planted the first commercial Syrah vines in California, and where?
Gary Eberle
| Paso Robles
128
Which estate of the Southern Rhône is a co-owner of Tablas Creek?
Château Beaucastel
129
What river runs through Paso Robles?
Salinas River
130
The world's largest celebration of Rhône wines is called __________.
Hospices du Rhône
131
At what point does the California coastline turn and trend east-west rather than north-south?
Point Conception
132
Point Conception is located in what county?
Santa Barbara County
133
What 2 prominent mountain ranges frame the valleys in Santa Barbara?
San Rafael
| Santa Ynez
134
List the AVAs within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA.
Sta. Rita Hills
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
Ballard Canyon
Los Olivos District
135
Why is Sta. Rita Hills AVA name abbreviated?
A legal dispute in 2006 with a Chilean winery
136
The Bien Nacido vineyard is found within what AVA?
Santa Maria Valley AVA
137
Santa Barbara experiences a __________ climate on the heat summation index.
Region I
138
True/False: Santa Barbara County experiences the longest growing season in California.
True
139
What viticultural technique is widely practiced in the Central Valley, commonly associated with bulk wine and hot climates?
Irrigation!
140
The Central Valley area is split between two smaller valleys. Name them.
Sacramento Valley
| San Joaquin Valley
141
On the Winkler Scale, the Central Valley is characterized by what climate regions?
Region IV
| Region V
142
True/False: Gallo is the second-largest producer of wines worldwide.
True.
143
What is the largest and most important AVA found within the Central Valley?
Lodi AVA
144
The Lodi AVA lies on the easter edge of what geographical feature?
The Sacramento River Delta
145
How many sub-appellations exist within Lodi AVA? Name them.
```
7
Alta Mesa
Borden Ranch
Mokelumne River
Cosummes River
Jahant
Sloughhouse
Clement Hills
```
146
Apart from Lodi, name 4 other AVAs of note in the Central Valley.
Dunnigan Hills
Clarksburg
Capay Valley
Merritt Island
147
The Sierra Foothills AVA is located on the western edge of what mountain range?
Sierra Nevada Mountains
148
Name the 5 sub-AVAs of the Sierra Foothills AVA.
```
Fair Play
El Dorado
Fiddletown
North Yuba
California Shenandoah
```
149
When phylloxera resurged in California during the 1980s, it attacked what supposedly resistant rootstock? From where did this rootstock originate?
AXR-1
| UC Davis
150
The lowest elevation vineyards of the Sierra Foothills are located in what sub-AVA?
California Shenandoah
