California Flashcards
What state is home to the vast majority of wines made in USA?
California
How can winemakers deliver a diverse range of premium styles of wines in CA?
due to combination of warmth, bright sun, and cooling influences from the ocean as well as altitude
Where are vineyards found in CA?
CA extends about 1100 KM in length and there are vineyards throughout most of its length. most North of LA
What kind of role does latitude play in CA?
very small role
What is more crucial than latitude in playing a role in determining a vineyards climate in CA?
influence of exceptionally cold California Ocean Current
Where is CA mountainous? how does this impact climate?
North of LA. mountains shield much of the state from the cooling effect of the ocean
What impacts does the ocean have on vineyards which are not shielded by mountains
cold air often accompanied by fogs is drawn in from the ocean at night lowering the night time temperatures and then it takes an extended time for the sun to burn off the fog in the morning giving the cooling effect a long extension into the day.
What acts as funnels to cold air in CA?
valleys that lie at right angels to the ocean (Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties)
What happens to vineyards where there is no exposure to the ocean
the climate is hot (Central Valley)
Besides ocean what is the other factor that links all of CA vineyards
lack of rain during the ripening season
due to lack of rain what is practiced widely in CA
drip irrigation
what is a benefit of absence of autumn rain in CA
allows grapes to remain on the vine long into the season. the extra “hang time” allows the grapes to ripen with very concentrated flavors and very high sugar levels
True or False - there is a movement to an appreciation of freshness making growers pick slightly earlier in CA
True
What is the most widely planted black variety in CA?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Describe Cab in CA?
prime sites produce some of the best anywhere. many are full bodied, very concentrated ripe cassis flavors, prominent spice aromas, from new oak barrels. other are made less rich with fresher black currant flavors
What is considered CA’s “own” grape variety?
Zinfandel
How does Zinfandel ripen
unevenly causing raisined and under ripened grapes
Describe a raisined Zinfandel in CA?
concentrated full bodied red wines with high alcohol sometimes with a small amounts of residual sugar. red and black fruits, dried berries, and liquorice, some with herbaceous quality from under ripe grapes.
Describe Zinfandel Rose (White Zin) wines from CA
made from early picked Zin, typically fruity, pale in color, med sweet, and low in alcohol.
What is widely planted black varietal in San Joaquin in Central Valley
Merlot - simple inexpensive
Describe a Central Valley Merlot from CA?
soft tannins, ripe black fruits.
Where do better Merlots come from in CA?
cooler sites - Monterey and the North Coast regions especially Sonoma and Napa
Describe a cooler site Merlot from CA
deeply colored, soft, velvety tannins, luscious body, high alcohol, and classic varietal flavors of plum and blackberry.
Where does premium Pinot Noir come from in CA?
moderate regions such as Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, and Santa Maria Valley.
Describe range of Pinot Noir styles in CA
some are light in color with classic gamey and vegetal notes, although most show rich layers of ripe red fruit (red cherry and strawberry) and notes of sweet spice from oak maturation
Described Syrah in CA
planted across the state and typically made in full bodied rich style some make more leaner, peppery styles
What is the most planted grape varietal in CA of either color?
Chardonnay
What is the production style of Chardonnay in CA?
wide variation throughout the state. from in expensive high volume from Central Valley to premium ones in cooler regions like Los Carneros and Russian River Valley.
Describe Chardonnay from Central Valley
fruity with low to med acidity, and sometimes toasty notes from oak staves or chips
Describe premium Chardonnay from CA?
in past they had a reputation for being very full bodied, high in alcohol, low in acidity, with obvious flavors of oak, hazelnut, butter, underpinning the peach and banana flavors. today more restrained examples with less oak are found.
Where do the best Sauvignon Blanc come from in CA?
the coastal regions
Describe best Sauvignon Blanc wines from CA
high acidity, ripe citrus flavors
Describe affordable every day Sauvignon Blanc from CA and where they come from
warmer regions, like Central Valley. fruity, unoaked, sometimes Fume Blanc is used for oak style of Sauvignon Blanc
Where is the majority of CA wine produced?
Central Valley
Why is majority of wine produced in Central Valley CA?
soil is very fertile and irrigation is used to increase yield.
Where is the premium wine regions located in Central Valley?
along the coast
How many regions are the principle vineyards grouped into?
5
How many of the principle vineyards contain the majority of the well know appellations and AVAs and what are they?
3- North Coast, Central Coast, Central Valley
What is the North Coast considered in CA
vineyards north of the San Francisco Bay
What is the climate in the North Coast?
strongly influenced by the ocean bringing fog and cool breezes that flow through the gaps in the central ranges and river valleys, affecting the average temperatures and diurnal temperature ranges
Where does the Napa Valley AVA run?
North to south for about 50km, but only 5 Km wide. most expensive vineyard land and most prestigious wineries
What forms the boundary to Sonoma County to the west in Napa Valley AVA?
Mayacamas Mountains
What is on the eastern side of Napa Valley AVA
Vaca Mountains separate Napa Valley from northern part of the Central Valley
Where are vineyards found in Napa Valley
both on the valley floor and on each valley side and are divided into a number of small AVAs
What are the most significant influences in Napa
morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay (northern extension of the San Francisco Bay) that moderate temperature of the vineyards to the south of the valley.
Where is Loa Carneros AVA?
most southernly vineyard on the valley floor and extends into Sonoma County
What type of varietals are used in Los Carneros AVA
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - used in both still and traditional method sparkling wines
What AVA’s are north along the valley floor of Carneros AVA and are warm enough to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon?
Stag’s Leap District, Yountville, Oakville, and Rutherford
Which area shows the least influence from the San Pablo Bay and is warmest during the day?
Rutherford - giving its red more power and structure
What other varieties besides Cab Sau are planted in the Carneros AVA?
Merlot and main whites are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc (ripe tropical flavors)
Which AVA’s have some of the warmest daytime temperatures
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA
Which AVA’s can produce some of the most concentrated and full bodied wines in the valley?
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA
What does the cool air that runs through the Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas Mountains provide?
some relief from the oppressive afternoon temperatures and much cooler night time temperatures which help to maintain acidity in the grapes
What are the main varietals in Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA
Cabernet Sauvignon is focus but Zin and Syrah also grown
What are the vineyards that lie on the valley sides cooled by?
altitude as they lie above the fog layer.
Describe aspect of Howell Mountain AVA and Atlas Peak AVA
west facing vineyards that get full exposure to the hot afternoon sun which make them warmer than those facing east
Describe wines from Howell Mountain AVA and Atlas Peak AVA
full bodied and high alcohol
Name some east facing AVAs in CA
Diamond Mountain District AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, Mount Veeder AVA
describe the red wines found in the valley sides of CA
greater levels of tannins, less richness on the palate, than those on the valley floor.
What black varietals are found in the valley sides
Cabernet is principle varietal, but Merlot , Cab franc and Zin are also grown.
What white varietals are found in the valley sides
Chardonnay is main white grown
Describe a Chardonnay from valley sides in Napa County?
citrus and stone fruits with high levels of acidity then those on the valley floor.
Which county has a greater variety of climates and is larger than Napa County?
Sonoma County
What is the Petaluma Gap?
a break in the coastal range in Sonoma County
Describe climate in Russian River Valley AVA
very cool foggy conditions
What characteristics of wine is Russian River Valley AVA best known for?
high quality elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays as well as sparkling wines from the same varieties.
What are the climates of the AVAs north of Russian River Valley AVA
warmer
What are two AVAs that are north of Russian River Valley AVA
Alexander Valley AVA and Dry Creek Valley AVA
Where are vineyards planted in Dry Creek AVA
densely on the hillsides and its floor.
What type of wines come from the hillsides of Dry Creek AVA
(above fog layer) high quality Zin
What type of wines come from the valley floor of Dry Creek AVA
Sauvignon Blanc - Rhone varieties and Cab Sauv also are popular.
Describe wines from Alexander Valey AVA
due to it being warmer, they are more fleshy, and full bodied. reputation for soft textured full bodied cab.
What is found to the west of Alexander Valley and Dry Creek AVAs
Sonoma Coast AVA.
What is the climate of Sonoma Coast AVA
greatly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and vineyards are often planted south facing slopes to help maximize ripening
Which county is north of Sonoma County
Mendocino County
What AVA is in Mendocino county
Anderson Valley AVA
What is the climate is Anderson Valley AVA
very cool.
What type of grapes are found in Anderson Valley
grapes for aromatic whites such as Rieslings, and Gewurztraminer as well as sparkling wines
Describe the climate of Mendocino
experiences much warmer drier climates than Anderson Valley and protected behind coastal hills that rise up to 900m
Describe wines from Mendocino
full bodied with soft tannins and are often made from Cab Sauv, Zin and Syrah
What are the two main areas in the Central Coast of CA
Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterrey and San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
Where is Santa Cruz Mountains AVA located
diverse region located in the north Central Coast that includes hillsides with infertile soils, moderate climate
What type of wine of wines are produced in Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
some of CA most elegant Cab Sauv, as well as some high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
describe climate of Monterey AVA?
follows path of Salinas Valley and is influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean
What variety has been heavily planted in Monterey AVA closer to the coast where cool winds blow on a daily basis?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
what variety is planted further along the valley of Monterey AVA where the cool winds are less evident?
Merlot, Cab Sauv, and Syrah
What is Santa Lucia Highlands AVA variety is high quality and describe it.
Chardonnay - citrus and tropical flavors and balanced acidity.
Where are San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County located in CA?
southern part of the Central Coast
Explain the mountains in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County
They lie east - west instead of north-south which encouraging the flow of cool ocean breezes onto the mainland
Where is Paso Robles AVA?
in San Luis Obispo County
What varietals are notable in Paso Robles?
Cabernet Sauv, Merlot, and Syrah.
What are the two distinct zones of Paso Robles
east and west
Describe the east zone of Paso Robles
hot sunny weather, deep fertile soils, producing supple fruity wines for high volume brands
Describe the west zone of Paso Robles
cooled by marine air and has gained reputation for top quality Zin and Rhone varieties
What AVA is further south of Paso Robles
Santa Maria Valley AVA in Santa Barbara County
What varieties are planted in Santa Maria Valley
due to cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Describe wines from Sana Maria Valley
concentrated fruit flavors, balanced by high acidity
Describe climate of Santa Maria Valley
low lying fog can cover the vineyards all day encouraging a slow ripening
what type of wine does Santa Ynez Valley AVA
due to slightly warmer temps produce red wines from both Syrah and Bordeaux varietals.
Where is Sta Rita Hills AVA
far west of Santa Ynez
Describe climate in Sta Rita Hills AVA
much cooler and influenced by the ocean
What varietals are primary in Sta Rita Hills AVA
Pinot Noir backed up by Chardonnay
What does the CA Central valley encompass?
Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys
Which produces the vast majority of CA wines, most of which is used in high volume inexpensive wines
Central Valley
Describe the climate of Central Valley
mostly hot and dry and irrigation widely practiced
what new grape varieties were produced in CA?
Rubired and Ruby Cabernet
What varieties are produced in Central Valley
Cab, Merlot, and Chardonnay as well as Colombard, Chenin Blanc, and Barbera
Where is the Lodi AVA
it straddles the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys in the middle of the Central Valley.
Even though it lies within the Central Valley, Lodi lies east of the Sacramento Delta which causes which benefits
cooling breezes from the San Francisco Bay
what varieties are grown in Lodi AVA
most varieties are grown but its the home of some of the oldest and best Zin vineyards in the state
