California - Sonoma Flashcards
AVAs best known for Cabernet in Sonoma? (4)
- Alexander Valley AVA (premium)
- Knights Valley AVA (warmest)
- Chalk Hill AVA (warm volcanic)
- Sonoma Mountain AVA (altitude)
Sonoma AVA best know for Syrah? (1)
Bennet Valley AVA
AVAs in Sonoma best know for PN and Chardonnay? (5)
- Russian River AVA
- Sonoma Coast AVA
- Fort Ross AVA
- Petaluma Gap AVA
- Carneros AVA
Sonoma Valley AVAs best known for Zinfandel? (2)
Dry creek AVA - old vines (SB and Rhone grapes also common)
Rockpile AVA
Significant producer in Alexander Valley?
Kendall-Jackson
Elevation in Alexander Valley?
100-750m - good acid retention
Climate in Alexander valley?
Warm maritime with continental and cooling influences
Rainfall and soils in Alexander Valley? (3)
800mm
Varied on valley floor
Free draining sand and gravel at altitude (good for drainage of high rainfall and Cabernet)
Alexander Valley tannins - valley floor vs Altitude?
Higher tannins at altitude
What cools down Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley?
Pacific air funnelled from the Petaluma gap and Russian river valley to the south
Moderating factors of Dry Creek Valley AVA climate and when? (2)
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
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel on west facing sites in the north? (2)
- Jammy and dried fruit flavours and higher alcohol
- affected by the warm western sun and less maritime influences
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel from east facing vineyards in the south? (1)
Fresher styles from cooler sites
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel reputation? (3)
Old vines - over 100 years old
Jammy or fresh
Good to outstanding in quality
What helps to control vigour and yields on Dry Creek, Russian River and Rockpile AVAs?
Free draining poor soils
Russian river chardonnay and PN structures?
Medium - medium plus body
Medium plus acid
Ripe flavours
Russian river PN flavours? (3)
Ripe strawberries and red cherries
Vanilla from oak
Russian River chardonnay flavours? (4)
Peach
Pineapple
Cream (Malo)
Oak spice
Significant producer in Russian River?
La Crema
Main soil types in Russian river and it’s sub AVAs? (2)
Low nutrient sandstone soils
Sandy clay loam
These help control vigour and produce small concentrated grapes
Coolest part of Russian River? (2)
Green Valley of Russian River AVA
Closest to the coast and sees more fog
Chalk Hill reputation? (3)
Warmest region of Russian River
Chardonnay, Cab and SB
White Ash soil
Why does Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate planting in Sonoma Coast AVA? (3)
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
Significant producer in Sonoma Coast AVA?
Aubert
Fort Ross Seaview AVA vs Petaluma gap AVA reputation? (2)
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
Sonoma Mountain AVA soils? (3)
Volcanic
Free draining
Low nutrients
(All contribute to low vigour and yields)
Sonoma mountain AVA warming factors?
Vineyards planted above 730m above the fog line exposing to long sunshine hours and intense sun
Sonoma mountain cooling influences?
Cold air coming down the mountain
Moderating influences in Carneros AVA and when?
Cold winds and fog in the morning and evening - close proximity to San Pablo Bay
Styles of Pinot Noir made in Carneros? (2)
Fresher medium plus acid and medium alcohol and bodied wines
Fuller bodied, riper high alcohol wines
Quality and price of wines made in Carneros? (2)
Good to outstanding
Mid priced to super premium
Significant producer in Carneros?
Kistler
Why is blending vineyards important in Carneros AVA? (1)
To blend wines or fruit with fresher profiles with wines in or outside the AVA that are grown in warmer conditions
