California North Coast Flashcards
1
Q
CA North Coast AVAs
A
Napa Sonoma Lake Mendocino Solano Marin
2
Q
Napa Valley Location/Geography
A
- Stretches from San Pablo bay 30 miles north to Mt. St. Helena
- Mayacama Mountains to west separate from Sonoma
- Vaca Mountains on east separate from Central Valley
- Napa river flows through center
3
Q
Napa Valley Climate
A
- Maritime and varies depending on altitude, cooling air/fog from SP Bay
- cool air/fog creates large diurnal shifts
- southern AVAs more affected by cool air/fog
- warmer the further north you go
4
Q
Napa Valley Topography
A
- Mountainous portions rise up to 2000 ft
- altitude is a major factor in vineyard location(s) / mesoclimates
5
Q
Napa Soils
A
- vary tremendously
- volcanic, alluvial, and maritime soil types, [ranging from well-drained gravel loam, dense clays, and thin rocky soils]
6
Q
Napa Grapes
A
Red
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Zinfandel
- Pinot Noir
White
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
7
Q
Napa Viticulture
A
- Vineyards on hillsides or valley floor [differences in color, intensity, structure]
- Morning fogs create large temp shifts which help retain acidity
- wide range of climates allows Pinot in cool up to Cab/Zin in warm
8
Q
Napa Vinification
A
- Marked by extensive use of New Oak
- MLF often used in whites
- Sparkling wines produced in cooler/southern areas (like Carneros)
9
Q
Napa Valley Floor AVAs South to North
A
Los Carneros Oak Knoll Yountville Stagsleap [off side of yountville] Oakville Rutherford Saint Helena Calistoga
10
Q
Napa Valley Side AVAs
A
West Side [east facing]
- Diamond Mountain
- Spring Mountain
- Mount Vedeer
East Side [west facing]
- Howell Mountain
- Atlas Peak
11
Q
Valley Side AVAs style/grapes
A
-greater tannins/less rich palate than valley floor
Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel
- Chardonnay [ higher acid than valley floor]
12
Q
Stags Leap, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford Styles/grapes
A
- warmer areas can ripen Cabernet Sauvignon well
- Merlot also planted
- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc main whites, ripe tropical fruit
- Rutherford warmest during day, reds most powerful
13
Q
Saint Helena/Calistoga Grapes/Style/Climate
A
- warmest daytime temperatures
- fullest bodied wines in Napa Valley
- breezes through Chalk Hill Gap [in Mayacamas Mountains] cool / retain acidity
- Cabernet Sauvignon is focus but Zinfandel / Syrah as well
14
Q
Los Carneros Style/Climate/Grapes
A
- cool enough for Pinot and Chardonnay [both still and sparkling]
- Tattinger and Codorńiu US setup here
15
Q
Sonoma Valley Climate
A
- cooler coaster areas w/ warmer zones moving inland
- climate extremely varied depending on proximity to ocean, altitude, and gaps
- large diurnal shifts
- “Petaluma Gap” = break in coastal ranges
