California - Sonoma

Question 1

AVAs best known for Cabernet in Sonoma? (4)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Sonoma AVA best know for Syrah? (1)

Answer 2

Bennet Valley AVA

Question 3

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

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Sonoma Valley AVAs best known for Zinfandel? (2)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Significant producer in Alexander Valley?

Answer 5

Kendall-Jackson

Question 6

Elevation in Alexander Valley?

Answer 6

100-750m - good acid retention

Question 7

Climate in Alexander valley?

Answer 7

Warm maritime with continental and cooling influences

Question 8

Rainfall and soils in Alexander Valley? (3)

Answer 8

800mm

Varied on valley floor

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

Question 9

Alexander Valley tannins - valley floor vs Altitude?

Answer 9

Higher tannins at altitude

Question 10

What cools down Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley?

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

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

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Fresher styles from cooler sites

Question 14

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel reputation? (3)

Answer 14

Old vines - over 100 years old

Jammy or fresh

Good to outstanding in quality

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Free draining poor soils

Question 16

Russian river chardonnay and PN structures?

Answer 16

Medium - medium plus body
Medium plus acid
Ripe flavours

Question 17

Russian river PN flavours? (3)

Answer 17

Ripe strawberries and red cherries
Vanilla from oak

Question 18

Russian River chardonnay flavours? (4)

Answer 18

Peach
Pineapple
Cream (Malo)
Oak spice

Question 19

Significant producer in Russian River?

Answer 19

La Crema

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Low nutrient sandstone soils

Sandy clay loam

These help control vigour and produce small concentrated grapes

Question 21

Coolest part of Russian River? (2)

Answer 21

Green Valley of Russian River AVA

Closest to the coast and sees more fog

Question 22

Chalk Hill reputation? (3)

Answer 22

Warmest region of Russian River

Chardonnay, Cab and SB

White Ash soil

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Significant producer in Sonoma Coast AVA?

Answer 24

Aubert

Question 25

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

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Sonoma **Mountain** AVA soils? (3)

Answer 26

Volcanic Free draining Low nutrients (All contribute to low vigour and yields)

Question 27

Sonoma **mountain** AVA warming factors?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Sonoma **mountain** cooling influences?

Answer 28

Cold air coming down the mountain

Question 29

Moderating influences in Carneros AVA and when?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Styles of Pinot Noir made in Carneros? (2)

Answer 30

Fresher medium plus acid and medium alcohol and bodied wines Fuller bodied, riper high alcohol wines

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Good to outstanding Mid priced to super premium

Question 32

Significant producer in Carneros?

Answer 32

Kistler

Question 33

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

Answer 33

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