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WSET dip > California - Sonoma > Flashcards

California - Sonoma Flashcards

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1
Q

AVAs best known for Cabernet in Sonoma? (4)

A
  1. Alexander Valley AVA (premium)
  2. Knights Valley AVA (warmest)
  3. Chalk Hill AVA (warm volcanic)
  4. Sonoma Mountain AVA (altitude)
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2
Q

Sonoma AVA best know for Syrah? (1)

A

Bennet Valley AVA

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3
Q

AVAs in Sonoma best know for PN and Chardonnay? (5)

A
  1. Russian River AVA
  2. Sonoma Coast AVA
  3. Fort Ross AVA
  4. Petaluma Gap AVA
  5. Carneros AVA
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4
Q

Sonoma Valley AVAs best known for Zinfandel? (2)

A

Dry creek AVA - old vines (SB and Rhone grapes also common)
Rockpile AVA

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5
Q

Significant producer in Alexander Valley?

A

Kendall-Jackson

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6
Q

Elevation in Alexander Valley?

A

100-750m - good acid retention

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7
Q

Climate in Alexander valley?

A

Warm maritime with continental and cooling influences

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8
Q

Rainfall and soils in Alexander Valley? (3)

A

800mm

Varied on valley floor

Free draining sand and gravel at altitude (good for drainage of high rainfall and Cabernet)

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9
Q

Alexander Valley tannins - valley floor vs Altitude?

A

Higher tannins at altitude

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10
Q

What cools down Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley?

A

Pacific air funnelled from the Petaluma gap and Russian river valley to the south

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11
Q

Moderating factors of Dry Creek Valley AVA climate and when? (2)

A

Mountains on either side of the AVA funnel cool air and fog from San Pablo Bay in the afternoon and evenings

This lead to fresher styles of Zinfandel

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12
Q

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel on west facing sites in the north? (2)

A
  1. Jammy and dried fruit flavours and higher alcohol
  2. affected by the warm western sun and less maritime influences
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13
Q

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel from east facing vineyards in the south? (1)

A

Fresher styles from cooler sites

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14
Q

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel reputation? (3)

A

Old vines - over 100 years old

Jammy or fresh

Good to outstanding in quality

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15
Q

What helps to control vigour and yields on Dry Creek, Russian River and Rockpile AVAs?

A

Free draining poor soils

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16
Q

Russian river chardonnay and PN structures?

A

Medium - medium plus body
Medium plus acid
Ripe flavours

17
Q

Russian river PN flavours? (3)

A

Ripe strawberries and red cherries
Vanilla from oak

18
Q

Russian River chardonnay flavours? (4)

A

Peach
Pineapple
Cream (Malo)
Oak spice

19
Q

Significant producer in Russian River?

A

La Crema

20
Q

Main soil types in Russian river and it’s sub AVAs? (2)

A

Low nutrient sandstone soils

Sandy clay loam

These help control vigour and produce small concentrated grapes

21
Q

Coolest part of Russian River? (2)

A

Green Valley of Russian River AVA

Closest to the coast and sees more fog

22
Q

Chalk Hill reputation? (3)

A

Warmest region of Russian River

Chardonnay, Cab and SB

White Ash soil

23
Q

Why does Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate planting in Sonoma Coast AVA? (3)

A

Cool condition due to proximity to coast

Limited sunshine hours due to fog

PN and chard are early ripening and do well in these conditions

24
Q

Significant producer in Sonoma Coast AVA?

A

Aubert

25
Q

Fort Ross Seaview AVA vs Petaluma gap AVA reputation? (2)

A

Fort Ross: warmer as above the fog line but with strong costal winds cooling down. Riper fruit but high acid

Petaluma Gap: AVA based on consistent wind speed throughout the growing season. Winds so strong they cause leaf somatas to close and slow down photosynthesis. Fresher fruit and high acid

26
Q

Sonoma Mountain AVA soils? (3)

A

Volcanic

Free draining

Low nutrients

(All contribute to low vigour and yields)

27
Q

Sonoma mountain AVA warming factors?

A

Vineyards planted above 730m above the fog line exposing to long sunshine hours and intense sun

28
Q

Sonoma mountain cooling influences?

A

Cold air coming down the mountain

29
Q

Moderating influences in Carneros AVA and when?

A

Cold winds and fog in the morning and evening - close proximity to San Pablo Bay

30
Q

Styles of Pinot Noir made in Carneros? (2)

A

Fresher medium plus acid and medium alcohol and bodied wines

Fuller bodied, riper high alcohol wines

31
Q

Quality and price of wines made in Carneros? (2)

A

Good to outstanding

Mid priced to super premium

32
Q

Significant producer in Carneros?

A

Kistler

33
Q

Why is blending vineyards important in Carneros AVA? (1)

A

To blend wines or fruit with fresher profiles with wines in or outside the AVA that are grown in warmer conditions

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