California- General, Napa, Sonoma Flashcards
California contains ____% of the vineyards acreage and produces ____% of the wine
80% acreage
81% production
general climate of CA?
ample sunshine, mild winters
generally low humidity, Med climate
rarely rain or clouds in summer or harvest season
As of December 2019 CA has ___ # AVAs
139
with 5 broad regions
What are the 5 broad California regional “super” AVAs?
North Coast AVA Sierra Foothills AVA San Francisco AVA Central Coast AVA South Coast AVA
North Coast AVA covers?
___ encompasses all or part of the counties north of San Francisco bay
Napa, Sonoma Mendocino,
Lake, Marin, Solano
Sierra Foothills AVA covers?
Sierra Nevada Mountains east of Sacramento
San Francisco Bay AVA covers?
Area from San Francisco and Oakland south to Santa Cruz
overlaps a portion of Central Coast AVA
Central Coast AVA covers?
Pacific coast counties between Oakland and Santa Barbara
San Benito, Monterey
San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara
South Coast AVA covers?
region south of LA
Orange and San Diego
Central Valley is the ___
largest vineyard acreage in state NOT in any supper AVAs
considerable amount of wine grown in San Joaquin Valley south of Sacramento
Mendocino AVA, Clear Lake AVA and Los Caneros AVA are located in what regional AVA?
North Coast
Background on viticulture in Napa?
1830s grapes have been grown
1860s 1st winery established with 400+ now
3rd largest county in CA in terms of acreage (San Joaquin & Sonoma)
Produces 4% of states total volume
What is the body of water south of Napa County that brings in cool morning fogs and keeps the southern part of the county considerably cooler than the valley farther north?
San Pablo Bay
General geography of Napa?
North of San Pablo, Napa river running North to south
mountains on either side protecting from cold Pacific air
-Med climate with some variation in the valley
General Climate of Napa?
important feature is the air, cold air from San Pablo flows north
high pressure and heat from interior pulls cold air
frequently morning fogs in southern part
describe the fog movements in Napa Valley?
morning; blanket valley floor
Hillside warmer, sit above the fog
once fog burn off, hillside is cooler than floor bc elevation
-high elevation vineyards generally have cooler days and warmer nights than valley floor
Difference in Napa east to west?
Eastern side is dryer and warmer bc further away from ocean
Western cooler temp, greater oceanic influence
The top red varieties in Napa County are
Cab Sauv Merlot PN
followed by Zin Cab Franc
Petit Sirah Syrah PV Malbec
Top white varieties in Napa?
Chardonnay Sauv Blanc
followed by Semillon PG Muscat
What are the Valley Floor AVAs from North to south?
Calistoga St Helena Ruterford
Oakville Yontville Stags Leap
-off to the east is Chiles
Calistoga AVA? - geo and climate? and grapes?
Valley floor appellation
warmest, most north can reach 100F
proximity to Chalk Hill Gap brings cooling breezes
Cab Sauv, Zin, Syrah, Petite Sirah
St Helena AVA - geo and climate? and grapes?
Valley floor Appellation
just south of Calistoga, north of Rutherford
less fog, less wind, more heat -narrowing of valley floor
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Franc, Zin, several whites
Rutherford AVA - geo and climate? and grapes?
Valley Floor Appellation, south of St Helena, north of Oakville
Dust, unique soil type & climate resulting in firm tannins
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Franc, Sauv Blanc
Oakville AVA - geo and climate? and grapes?
Valley Floor Appellation, south of Rutherford, north of Yountville
fairly warm, moderating influence from night and morning fog
Cab Sauv, Franc, Merlot, Sauv Blanc
Yountville AVA - geo and climate?
Valley Floor Appellation, south of Oakville, west of Stags Leap
moderated climate influenced by morning fog, strong breezes off San Pablo bay
Afternoon typically cooler in north part of valley
Stags Leap District AVA - geo and climate?
Valley Floor Appellation, south of Oakville, east of Yountville
cooled by winds
bare rocks surrounding hills radiate warmth, average temp 90 but could reach 100
Chiles Valley AVA - geo and climate?
Valley Floor Appellation, located somewhat east of the valley floor
extends into the hillsides of the Vaca MT
fairly warm summer days. higher elevation get quite chilly