California Facts, North Coast (Napa & Sonoma)

Question 1

The major wine growing regions of California are divided into four large AVAs:

Answer 1

North Coast

Central Coast

South Coast

Sierra Foothills

Question 2

Meritage Wines

Answer 2

Used to indicate a premium blend of Bordeaux varietals, red or white, which no grape accounts for more than 90% of the wine

Question 3

The North Coast AVA include the counties of

Answer 3

Napa

Sonoma

Mendocino

Lake

Solano

Marin

Question 4

Napa Valley is formed between what two Mountains?

Answer 4

Mayacamas Mountains to the west

Vaca Mountains to the east

Question 5

The soil of Napa Valley

Answer 5

Volcanic, alluvial, and maritime soil types ranging from well drained gravel loam, to dense clays and thin rocky soils

Question 6

Region l, Region ll, and Region lll climate of Sonoma

Answer 6

Region l - The windy, foggy Carneros AVA cool region

Region ll - The more inland and southern areas experience a warmer climate

Region lll - The warm northern AVAs of Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley

Question 7

“Goldridge” sandy loam

Answer 7

Fertile alluvial soils that characterize the Russian River Valley

Question 8

Green Valley AVA

Answer 8

Cool temperatures, Goldridge soil and morning fog layer.

Noted producers - Kosta Browne, Freeman, Iron Horse

Question 9

Petaluma Gap

Answer 9

The newest AVA

Named after the wind that funnels through lower Sonoma due to a coastal mountain opening. Marked by its wind and fog

Cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah are the main focus

Question 10

Sparkling wine estates in Carneros in the 1980s

Answer 10

Taittinger and Cava producer Codorníu both set up American sparkling wine estates following the pioneering example of Gloria Ferrer

Question 11

The smallest AVA in America

Answer 11

Cole Ranch (Mendocino)

Question 12

The Champagne House of Louis Roederer

Answer 12

Established its American operations in Anderson Valley’s cool marginal climate