California & Mexico Flashcards
What is the climate & terroir of California
Climate: Maritime Mediterranean
Soil: Marine sedimentary, volcanic, alluvial, clay, sand and silt
What are the 5 major AVAs of California
- North Coast
- Central Valley
- Sierra Foothills
- Central Coast
- Southern California
How many AVAs are designated in California
139 AVAs
What are the most important AVAs within North Coast AVA
- Napa Valley
- Sonoma County
How many nested AVAs are designated in Napa Valley
16 nested AVAs
What are the 16 nested AVAs within Napa Valley
- Atlas Peak
- Calistoga
- Chiles Valley
- Coombsville
- Diamond Mountain District
- Howell Mountain
- Los Carneros
- Mt. Veeder
- Oak Knoll District
- Oakville
- Rutherford
- St. Helena
- Spring Mountain District
- Stags Leap District
- Yountville
- Wild Horse Valley
How many nested AVAs are designated in Sonoma County
18 nested AVAs
Which AVA is one of the northern most AVAs in California
Mendocino County AVA
What was the first grape varietal planted in California
Mission (Criolla)
What are some labeling terms used in California
- Estate Bottled: Producer has control of the product from vines to wine
- Reserve: No legal significance but often used for the highest quality wines from reputable producers
- Late Harvest: Grapes left on the vine longer than usual so wines are higher in alcohol and sweet
- Botrytis: Grapes affected by ‘noble’ botrytis fungus. Their concentrated suagr yields very sweet wines
What are the major AVAs nested in the North Coast
- Napa Valley
- Sonoma County
- Mendocino County
- Lake County
- Solano and Marin County
How many AVAs are designated in Mendocino County
10 AVAs
Which AVA in Mendocino is know for its wide diurnal range and its superb Gewüztraminer and Riesling
Anderson Valley AVA
What are the two sub-AVAs of Solano County
- Suisun Valley
- Solano County Green Valley
Which AVA is halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento
Solano County AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is almost as warm as Knights Valley producing rich Cabernet Sauvignon, along with flavorful, ripe Chardonnay
Alexander Valley AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is known for cooler climate due to the San Pablo Bay producing Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay
Carneros AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is known for being named after the white volcanic ash hillsides found in the region producing Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Chalk Hill AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is known for its morning fog from the Pacific Ocean and its stone strewn soils ideal for concentrating fruit and flavor characterisitcs of Zinfandel along with Cabernet Sauvignon
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Which AVA is nested inside of the Sonoma Coast AVA producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Fort Ross-Seaview AVA
Which AVA is the warmest in Sonoma County known for its Bordeaux varietals
Knights Valley AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is known for being one of Sonoma’s newest viticultural areas producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah and Zinfandel
Rockpile AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is known for its well-drained soils, maritime and river influences providing cooling fog and warm summer afternoons that are ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Russian River Valley AVA
Which AVA in Sonoma County is known for being the coolest
Sonoma Coast AVA
