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KM Master Sommelier Study > California > Flashcards

California Flashcards

1
Q

What are the key native grape species generally found in US

A

Vitis Labrusca (Concord)
Vitis Rotundifolia (Scuppernong)
Vitis Aestivalis (Norton)
Vitis Riparia
Vitis Rupestris
Vitis Californica

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2
Q

Who produced the first vinifera wines in California

A

Fransiscans at the San Juan Capistrano Mission - using Mission grapes

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3
Q

Who planted the first vineyard in Napa Valley

A

George Yount in 1839

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4
Q

Which winery did Agoston Haraszthy found

A

Buena Vista

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5
Q

Who founded the Inglenook winery

A

Gustav Niebaum in 1880

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6
Q

Which is the oldest winery in St. Helena

A

Charles Krug 1861

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7
Q

Who understood the resistance of American vines to phylloxera

A

Charles Valentine Riley

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8
Q

Which winery declared itself as house of Altar wine during prohibition

A

Beaulieu vineyards of Georges de Latour

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9
Q

During which years was prohibition in US

A

1920 - 1933

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10
Q

What were the first few brands of Gallo in California

A

Thunderbird
Night Train Express

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11
Q

Which famous winemaker did Georges de Latour hire for Beaulieu, post prohobition

A

Andre Tchelistcheff

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12
Q

What new technology did Andre Tchelistcheff bring to winemaking in US

A

Temperature controlled fermentation
Controlled malolactic fermentation

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13
Q

Which famous wineries survived prohibition in US

A

Beaulieu
Inglenook
Beringer

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14
Q

When did Mondavi launch his first harvest

A

1966

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15
Q

When did Mondavi launch Fume Blanc

A

1968

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16
Q

Who were the early modern pioneers of Sonoma

A

Hanzell
Martin Ray
Simi

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17
Q

When did Paul Draper began producing Monte Bello at Ridge vineyards in Santa Cruz Mountain

A

1969

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18
Q

Which is Monteray’s oldest commercial vineyard

A

Chalone Vineyards 1960

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19
Q

Which producer planted first Pinot Noir vineyard of Santa Barbera

A

Richard Sanford of Sanford and Benedict Vineyards
1970 in Sta Rita Hills

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20
Q

When was the Judgement of Paris tasting

A

1976 - organised by Steven Spurrier

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21
Q

Which wines won the judgement of Paris tasting

A

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

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22
Q

Which was the first wine to top $100 from Napa

A

Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978

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23
Q

What are the key disease concerns in US wines

A

Phylloxera in Washington
Red blotch and fungal trunk disease in pacific northwest
Red blotch and Pierce’s disease in California

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24
Q

What was the first AVA in USA

A

Augusta - Missouri 1980

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25
Q

When did Napa Valley gain AVA status

A

1981

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26
Q

Which AVA created controversy over AVA system and rights of a brand

A

Calistoga AVA
Calistoga Cellars and Calistoga Estate brands were not using enough AVA fruit to continue using the name

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27
Q

What is the min % of grapes required to label a wine by state, country or county in USA

A

75%

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28
Q

What is the min % of grapes required to label a wine by AVA in USA

A

85%

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29
Q

Which states are exceptions to the political boundary labeling law of US as min 75% rule

A

Oregon and California - 100%
Washington - 95%

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30
Q

What is the min % required for labeling as a single vineyard in USA

A

95%

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31
Q

What is the rule for declaring the vintage date on a label in US for wines, imported or local

A

They must have an appellation smaller than a country

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32
Q

What is the min % required for labeling a wine by vintage in US

A

Min 95% if labeled by AVA
Min 85% if labeled by state or county

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33
Q

What % is required in USA for labeling a wine by grape variety

A

Min 75% of any stated vinifera variety
Min 51% of any stated non Vinifera variety

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34
Q

What is the margin of error on alcohol on US wine labels

A

+/- 1.5%
Wines between 7 - 14 % may label simply as table wines or light wines, alternatively

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35
Q

What is the min threshold for putting the phrase “Contain Sulphites” on the wine label in US

A

10 parts per million

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36
Q

What is the law on estate bottled in US

A

100% of the grapes must come from land owned or controlled by winery
All such vineyards must be located in the same AVA

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37
Q

Which large AVA was proposed by Gallo to label his wines as estate bottled

A

Northern Sonoma AVA

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38
Q

What are the main 5 large AVA’s of California

A

North Coast
Central Coast
South Coast
San Francisco Bay
Sierra Foothills

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39
Q

Which key grape growing areas of California doesn’t have an AVA

A

Central Valley - source of 75% of the state’s grapes

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40
Q

Where are the fine wine districts of California located

A

Near the coast
Fog and cool sea breezes mitigate temperature
Large diurnal swings

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41
Q

What is Meritage in USA

A

Premium Bordeaux blend
Both red or white
No single grape accounting for more than 90% of the blend
Trademark term by Meritage alliance

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42
Q

Which other names is Charbono known by

A

Corbeau in France
Douce Noir in Savoy
Bonarda in Argentina

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43
Q

Which counties are included in the North Coast AVA

A

Napa
Sonoma
Mendocino
Lake
Solano
Marin

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44
Q

How many sub AVAs are in Napa Valley

A

16 sub AVAs named after towns and mountains of the valley

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45
Q

Which bay is located south of Napa Valley

A

San Pablo Bay

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46
Q

Which are the southernmost and northernmost AVAs of Napa

A

Carneros - South
Calistoga - North

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47
Q

Which mountain ranges form Napa Valley

A

Vaca Mountains to the east
Mayacamas mountains to the west

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48
Q

What kind of soils are found in the Napa Valley

A

Diverse soils of volcanic, alluvial and maritime types
Well drained gravel loam, dense clay and thin rocky soils in hillside vineyards

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49
Q

What are the mountain sub AVA’s of Napa

A

Howell Mountain and Atlas Peak in East
Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain and Mount Veeder in the west

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50
Q

Which is the coolest and the wettest of the mountain sub appellations of Napa

A

Howell Mountain

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51
Q

At what height does the Howell Mountain AVA begins

A

1400 ft

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52
Q

Which Napa Valley AVA is divided between Napa and Solano county

A

Wild Horse Valley

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53
Q

Which Napa Valley AVA shares boundary with Wild Horse Valley AVA

A

Coombsville

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54
Q

Which Napa Valley AVA is east of Howell Mountain AVA

A

Chiles Valley District

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55
Q

Which AVA’s north to south are on valley floor of Napa Valley

A

Calistoga
St Helena
Rutherford
Oakville
Yountville
Stags Leap District
Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley
Los Carneros

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56
Q

Which is the most planted grape variety in Sonoma County

A

Chardonnay

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57
Q

How many AVA’s are in Sonoma County

A

18 AVAs

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58
Q

What geographical term should be on all Sonoma wines irrespective of AVA

A

Sonoma County

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59
Q

Which AVA of Sonoma county is shared with Marin county

A

Petaluma Gap AVA

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60
Q

Which AVA of Sonoma County is shared with Lake county

A

Pine Mountain Cloverdale peak

61
Q

Which AVA’s are nested in Sonoma Valley AVA

A

Bennett Valley
Sonoma Mountain AVA
Moon Mountain District AVA
Los Carneros AVA - Partially

62
Q

Which AVA is shared between Sonoma and Napa Valleys

A

Los Carneros AVA

63
Q

Which AVA is directly north of Sonoma Valley AVA

A

Fountaingrove district AVA

64
Q

Which AVA is fully nested within Sonoma Coast AVA

A

Fort Ross Seaview

65
Q

Which AVA is fully nested in Russian River Valley AVA

A

Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA

66
Q

Which AVA is partially in Russian River Valley AVA

A

Chalk Hill AVA

67
Q

Which AVA juts into and is directly north of Dry Creek AVA

A

Rock pile AVA

68
Q

Which AVAs does lake Sonoma touches

A

Northern Sonoma
Rockpile
Dry Creek

69
Q

Which AVAs share boundary with Chalk Hill AVA

A

Russian River Valley
Alexander Valley
Knights Valley
Fountaingrove District

70
Q

What kind of soils are primarily found in Sonoma county

A

Varying mix of fertile alluvial soils and Goldridge sandy loam
Rocky mountainous soils near Mayacamas and Sonoma ranges

71
Q

What are the key climatic characteristics of Sonoma

A

Windy, Foggy climate near the coast
Persistant coastal fog keeps the temperature down near coastal Sonoma
Moderate climate in the center
Warm continental climate in inland areas like Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile and Knights Valley

72
Q

Which major town in Northern Sonoma is located close to Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Knights Valley

A

Healdsburg

73
Q

Which famous producers in Sonoma are based in Coastal Region

A

Hirsch
Marcassin
Peay

74
Q

Name famous producers based in Russian River Valley

A

Dehlinger
Joseph Swan
Rochioli
Williams Salyem

75
Q

Name key producers in Green Valley

A

Kosta Browne
Freeman
Iron Horse

76
Q

Which is the warmest AVA in Sonoma County

A

Knights Valley

77
Q

Who is the most famous producer of Knight’s Valley

A

Peter Michael

78
Q

Which Sonoma AVAs are known for high quality Zinfandel

A

Dry Creek Valley (Lytton Spring Vineyard)
Rockpile
Alexander Valley (Geyserville Vineyard)

79
Q

Which Sonoma Valley AVA focuses mainly on Merlot

A

Bennett Valley

80
Q

Which are the key sparkling wine estates in Los Carneros

A

Gloria Ferrer
Domaine Carneros - Taittinger
Codorniu Napa

81
Q

Which is the newest AVA of Sonoma County

A

West Sonoma Coast AVA

82
Q

What are the AVAs in Lake County

A

Clear Lake AVA
Upper Lake Valley AVA
Long Valley Lake County AVA
High Valley AVA
Guenoc Valley
Red Hills AVA
Kelsey Bench AVA
Big Valley District AVA
Benmore Valley AVA

83
Q

What are the defining climatic and geographic features of Lake county

A

Smallest wine producing region in North Coast AVA of California
High summer temperatures
High elevation
Cold winters
Lake moderates the temperature
Good diurnal swings enable higher acid retention

84
Q

Which two rivers flow through Mendocino County

A

Russian River
Navarro River

85
Q

Which AVA officially decreased in size, in a rare move

A

Mendocino AVA

86
Q

Which is the smallest AVA in USA

A

Cole Ranch in Mendocino county

87
Q

Which two AVAs of Mendocino are essentially monopoles

A

Cole Ranch - Esterlina
Mcdowell Valley - Mcdowell Valley Winery

88
Q

Describe the climate and geography of Anderson Valley

A

Cool ocean air and fog trails inland through Navarro river to cool the valley
Steep hills along Navarro river path

89
Q

Which champagne house established operations in Anderson Valley

A

Louis Roederer

90
Q

What is the elevation limit on Mendocino Ridge AVA

A

Vineyards at least 1200 ft above sea level

91
Q

What are the AVAs in Mendocino county

A

Dos Rios
Covelo
Comptche
Eagle Peak
Mcdowell Valley
Potter Valley
Red Wood Valley
Cole Ranch
Anderson Valley
Yorkville Highlands
Mendocino Ridge
Pine mountain Cloverdale Peak
Mendocino AVA

92
Q

Which is the only non contiguous AVA in USA

A

Mendocino Ridge
All vineyards at 1200 ft or above in Mendocino are covered
Everything lower falls in Anderson Valley AVA or Mendocino county appellation

93
Q

What are the two big parts of California’s Central Valley

A

Sacramento Valley - North
San Joaquin Valley - South

94
Q

Who is the largest wine producer of central valley

A

Gallo - producing about half of central valley’s wines

95
Q

Where are Gallo headquarters

A

Modesto in central valley California

96
Q

Which is the largest AVA of central valley

97
Q

What are the sub AVAs of Lodi

A

Sloughhouse AVA
Cosumnes River AVA
Alta Mesa AVA
Borden Ranch AVA
Jahant AVA
Mokelumne River AVA
Clement Hills AVA

98
Q

What climatic conditions are key to Lodi AVA

A

Sacramento river Delta
Gap in coastal ranges
Both lead to funnelling of coastal air and cools the climate
Big diurnal shifts

99
Q

What are the key AVAs of central valley

A

Lodi
Sierra Foothills
Dunnigan Hills
Clarkesburg
Capay Valley
Merritt Valley

100
Q

What are the sub AVAs of Sierra Foothills

A

Fair Play
El Dorado
Fiddletown
North Yuba
California Shenandoah Valley

101
Q

Which is the lowest and hottest subregion of Sierra Foothills

A

California Shenandoah Valley

102
Q

What are the key quality wines produced in Sierra Foothills AVA

A

Chewy, spicy concentrated Zinfandels from very old vines planted before prohibition

103
Q

Where is UC Davis located

A

In California, central valley, west of Sacramento

104
Q

Which famous AVA close to San Fransisco bay is not part of central coast AVA

A

Santa Cruz Mountain AVA

105
Q

What are the key AVAs in San Fransisco bay area

A

Lomorinda
Livermore valley
Santa Clara Valley
San Ysidro District
Pacheco Pass
Santa Cruz Mountain
Ben Lomond Mountain

106
Q

Who is the most famous producer of Livermore Valley

A

Wente - known for his Sauvignon Blanc

107
Q

What are the key AVAs in Monteray County

A

Carmel Valley
Santa Lucia Highlands
Chalone
Arroyo Secco
San Barnabe
San Lucas
Hames Valley
San Antonio Valley

108
Q

What are the key AVAs in San Benito County

A

Cienega valley
Mount Harlan
Lime Kiln Valley
Paicines
Gabilan Mountain

109
Q

What are the key AVAs of San Louis Obispo county

A

Paso Robles
York Mountain
Edna Valley
Arroyo Grande Valley

110
Q

What are the sub AVAs of Paso Robles

A

Adelaida district
Paso Robles Willow Creek District
Templeton Gap District
El Pomar District
Santa Margharita Ranch
Creston District
Paso Robles Highlands District
San Juan Creek
Paso Robles Geneseo District
Paso Robles Estrella District
San Miguel District

111
Q

What are the most celebrated vineyards of Santa Cruz mountain AVA

A

Ridge’s Monte Bello Vineyard
Bonny Doon estate Vineyard

112
Q

Which famous Santa Cruz Mountains vineyard succumbed to Pierce’s disease

A

Bonny Doon Estate Vineyard

113
Q

Where is Salinas Valley located

A

In Monteray county - famous for lettuce.

114
Q

Where is Gary’s vineyard, famous for it’s Pinot Noir, located

A

In Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monteray County

115
Q

Where is famous Pinot Noir producer Calera located

A

In Mount Harlan AVA, San Benito County

116
Q

Which mountain is in the east of San Benito county

A

Gabilan Mountain

117
Q

Which famous Rhone producer has a winery in partnership in Paso Robles AVA

A

Chateau Beaucastel - Tablas Creek Winery

118
Q

Which San Louis Obispo AVA focuses on mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

A

Edna Valley AVA

119
Q

Who planted first Syrah vines in California

A

Gary Eberle in Paso Robles

120
Q

What kind of climate and soils are found in Paso Robles

A

Templeton Gap funnels in cool air western reaches
Limestone and Calcerous soils
East of Salinas river, arid, warmer climate with sandy soils

121
Q

What are the AVAs in Santa Barbera county

A

Santa Maria Valley
Santa Ynez Valley
Alisos
Ballard Canyon
Los Olivos District
Happy Canyon
Sta Rita Hills

122
Q

What are the nested AVAs in Santa Ynez Valley

A

Sta Rita Hills
Happy Canyon
Los Olivos district
Ballard Canyon

123
Q

Which is the most famous vineyard in Santa Maria Valley

A

Bien Nacido Vineyard

124
Q

What makes the climate of Santa Barbera county a Region 1 on Winkler Scale

A

Coastline bends at point conception, running east west.
San Rafael and Santa Ynez mountains run parallel to the coast, east to west, funnelling cool pacific air inside.

125
Q

Where do you find Comptche AVA. What is different about it

A

In Mendocino county. Comptche AVA is not deemed to be nested in North coast AVA and thus grapes grown there cannot use it instead of Comptche

126
Q

Name the AVA in Contra Costa county

A

Lamorinda AVA in central coast Contra Costa county

127
Q

Name the AVA in Alameida county

A

Livermore Valley AVA in central coast Alameida county

128
Q

Name the AVA of Santa Clara county

A

San Ysidro District AVA
Pacheco Pass AVA

129
Q

Which two AVA are nested in Gabilan Mountain AVA

A

Chalone AVA
Mount Harlan AVA

130
Q

Which AVA do you find the To Kalon vineyard in

131
Q

Which AVA are Harlan and Screaming eagle located in

132
Q

Which AVA do you find Antica vineyard in

A

Atlas Peak

133
Q

In which AVA is Inglenook based

A

Rutherford

134
Q

Which Napa AVA is on the other side of Moon mountain AVA in Sonoma

A

Mount Veeder

135
Q

In which AVA do you find Fay and SLV vineyards in

A

Stags Leap District

136
Q

Which AVA has Hyde vineyard

A

Los Carneros

137
Q

Where do you find the famous stagecoach vineyard

A

Atlas Peak AVA

138
Q

Which AVA is Opus One winery located in

139
Q

Which AVA is Martha’s vineyard located in

140
Q

Which AVA is Philip Togni located in

A

Spring Mountain District AVA

141
Q

In which AVA do you finds Joseph Phelps, Charles Krug and Spottswoode wineries

142
Q

Which AVA east of Howell mountain is part of Napa Valley

A

Chiles Valley AVA

143
Q

Where do you find Randy Dunn’s vineyard in Napa

A

Howell Mountain AVA

144
Q

Which Napa valley AVA is best known for high quality Merlot

145
Q

Where do you find the famous Eisele Vineyard in Napa

A

Calistoga AVA

146
Q

Where is Pritchard Hill located

A

Between Howell mountain and Atlas peak on the east in Vaca Mountains

147
Q

Who owns the trademark on Pritchard Hill

A

Chappellate Family

148
Q

Which other famous wineries have vineyards on Pritchard Hill, except Chapellett Family

A

Bryant, Colgin, Continuum

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