California - Certified Sommelier Exam

Question 1

What are the 4 large AVAs of California?

Answer 1

• North Coast
• Central Coast
• South Coast
• The Sierra Foothills

Question 2

Where are most of the CA fine wine districts located geographically?

Answer 2

Located near the coast, where fog and cool sea breezes mitigate temperatures and create large diurnal swing from warm days to cool nights

Question 3

Where is 75% of California’s wine come from?

Answer 3

inland Central Valley, which is not an AVA

Question 4

What varietal wines lead the way in CA?

Answer 4

Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Sauv Blanc enjoy extensive plantings

Question 5

What makes up most of Central Valley’s bulk wine?

Answer 5

French Colombard and Chenin blanc, which occupy thousands of acres

Question 6

What are some “exotic” grapes also bottled in CA?

Answer 6

Gewuztraminer, Viognier, Petit Sirah, grenache, Mourvedre—occasionally Tempranillo, vermentino, graciano, and nebbiolo

Question 7

What does the term Meritage mean?

Answer 7

Indicates a premium blend in which no grape accounts for more than 90% of the wine. Must be produced from Bordeaux varieties, at least 2

Question 8

What counties are included in California’s North Coast AVA?

Answer 8

• Napa
• Sonoma
• Mendocino
• Lake
• Solano
• Marin

Question 9

What is Napa’s Carneros AVA suitable for?

Answer 9

The Southernost AVA within NAPA, it’s suitable for Sparkling Wine Production

Question 10

What is Napa’s Calistoga AVA suitable for?

Answer 10

The northern most AVA, where summer temps are above 90%, producers focus on sturdier grapes like Cab Sauv and Zinfandel

Question 11

Describe the climate of Napa Valley

Answer 11

Formed by Mayacamas Mounts to west, and Vaca Mounts to east, Valley had diverse soil of volcanic, alluvial and maritime, ranging form well drained gravel loam to dense clay to thin rockey soul - cool ocean air funnels through Petaluma Gap into San Pablo Bay and upward thru valley.