California & USA Overview Condensed Flashcards
Paso Robles AVA is generally divided into 2 sections.
What are they and what are the differences of
Climate
Soil Type
Varieties Planted
It has two distinct zones;
- Cooler to the west, tempered by marine air funneled through the Templeton Gap. Warmer and more arid east of the Salinas River.
- To the west, calcareous soils are higher in limestone. To the east, sandier and more fertile.
- The west is famous for Zinfandel and Rhone varieties.
- The east produces fruity wines for high-volume brands.
What percentage of USA wine produced by volume is Californian - 60%, 80%, 90%?
80%
California produces 80% of USA wine - how many litres sold, how much of total USA exports is it, how many grape growers and wineries?
- California is the largest producer
- Sales of 25 million hL
- 3.9 million hL exported – 90% of USA exports
- 5900 grape growers
- 4800 bonded wineries
Name the 3 AVAs on the West-facing side of Napa Valley:
Atlas Peak AVA
Chiles Valley District AVA
Howell Moutain AVA
The Santa Ynez Valley AVA encompasses which 4 smaller AVAs within its borders?
Sta. Rita Hills - most westerly, famous Pinot Noir
Ballard canyon - small - warmer - Syrah/Grenache
Los Olivos - alluvial terraces, low diurnal range, Red varietals
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara - high altitude sites, high diurnal range - Cab Sav and Sauvignon Blanc
describe the Central Valley and the two valleys within it.
Central Valley
- Very large growing area which entirely inland
- Consists of two valleys – Sacramento valley and San Joaquin valley
- Sacramento – northern part and 6,700 Ha.
- San Joaquin valley – southern part and 61,000 Ha.
- between coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada range
Approximately about how many wineries are there in California?
3,700
What are AVAs?
- AVAs are designated grape growing regions – with unique geological and geographical features
Is Central Valley an AVA?
- No. San Joaquin valley or Sacramento valley are NOT AVAs nor is Central Valley
What is the primary cooling influence in Stags Leap and Oakville AVAs?
Fog
Phylloxera has never been a problem in California.
True or False?
False
What accounts for Zinfandel’s high alcohol, full body and (sometimes) residual sugar?
Uneven ripeness in the bunch (Millerandage)
Santa Cruz mountains AVA - viti, wines and producers
-
Santa Cruz mountains AVA
- part of the Coast Range mountains
- includes three counties – Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo
- vineyards
- mainly at high altitudes – up to almost 800 metres
- planted along a ridge line
- altitude helps to moderate the temperatures
- cool air slips down the slopes at night – forcing warm air up and nights are relatively warm, and frost is prevented
- Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most planted
- Eastern side – warmer – better for Zinfandel, Cabernet S and Merlot
- Wines
- Good to outstanding in quality
- Mid-priced to super premium priced!
- Producers
- Ridge Vineyards
Mount Eden Vineyards
What are the mountain ranges to the West and East of Napa Valley?
Mayacamas to the West.
Vaca mountains to the East
Despite being so far south, why is California’s Santa Barbara County well-suited for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production?
- Proximity to Pacific Ocean breezes, maritime influence. No obstacles to block cooling effects.
- Very long growing season (longest in California)
What is said to be the signature variety in California?
Zinfandel
What are 4 factors that help to cool the Napa Valley AVA?
- Morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay.
- Cool air from the Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas Mountains.
- Cool night-time temperatures
- High altitude in some AVAs.
Which two Napa AVAs typically produce the most concentrated, fullest-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons in the valley?
Why?
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA
They receive the warmest daytime temperatures.
Name 5 California AVAs where you could get premium quality Chardonnay
Los Carneros AVA
Russian River AVA
Sonoma Valley AVA
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
What is the most significant AVA of San Luis Obispo County?
What topological factor stand out about this AVA compared to others in California?
Paso Robles AVA
The mountains lie east-west rather than north-south, encouraging sea breezes on to the mainland.
Name 3 AVAs on Napa Valley’s East-facing slope:
Mount Veeder AVA
Spring Mountain District AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Name 2 AVAs in Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria Valley AVA and Santa Ynez Valley AVA
Lake, Solano, and Marin Counties are within what AVA?
North Coast AVA
Which varieties are most grown in Anderson Valley AVA?
And for which variety is it reputed for?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plus aromatic varieties, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in Alsace styles
Reputed for good to outstanding quality Pinot Noir
The AVAs of Santa Barbara county are located where, and describe the climate and its factors
- AVAs located in Transverse Ranges
- A section of the Southern Coast ranges
- Due to plate tectonic shifts – run east-west
- Western side of ranges funnels in cooling breezes and fog eastward – lowering temperatures significantly
- Western side cooler and windier than eastern side
- Air circulation keeps the risk of fungal disease and frost low
- Long growing season into Autumn
Which grape is Stags Leap District AVA, Oakville AVA and Rutherford AVA most renowned for and which of the 3 is reputed to make the most concentrated?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford makes the most concentrated wines because it receives the least influence from San Pablo Bay and is the warmest during the day.
The sale of alcohol in the USA is complex - state some of its key mechanics
- Regulatory control of distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages:
- controlled at a state level
- ceded control by the Federal govt. at the end of prohibition
- states adopted the ‘three tier system’ preventing direct to retail sales by producers
- there are drastically different rules over the fifty states!
- Increasing number of states allow direct to consumer sales – and transport across state lines to the consumer
Which pair of California AVAs are most renowned for their old Vine Zinfandel?
Lodi AVA and Dry Creek Valley AVA
What is Loess soil?
Predominantly alluvial topsoil that is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown dust.
In which county will you find Anderson Valley AVA?
Mendocino County
If a varietal is stated on the label what the labelling requirements under Federal labelling law?
- Varietal claims
- must have 75% from that variety in the wine
- Appellation of origin must be stated with varietal
- If two or more varietals then percentages must be stated on label
When was Prohibition in the United States?
1920-1933
What is the main effect fog has on grapes in Napa Valley?
Where does the fog come from?
The fog helps valley floor sub regions cooler resulting in fresher fruit
The fog and afternoon breezes come from San Pablo bay (northern extension of San Francisco Bay)
Lodi is well known for a varietal, name and discuss it
- Well known for Zinfandel
- Some vines over 100 years old
- Sandy soils have helped to reduce prevalence of phylloxera
- Styles: medium to full-bodied, medium to medium+ acidity, ripe tannins, flavours of cherry, blueberry and blackberry
Hames Valley, Chalone, and Arroyo Seco are AVAs in which California county?
Monterey
What are 6 important AVAs of Sonoma County?
- Los Carneros (shared w/ Napa Valley)
- Sonoma Valley
- Sonoma Coast
- Russian River Valley
- Alexander Valley
- Dry Creek Valley
What % do the top ten wineries represent of domestic wine sales in the USA?
- The ten largest wineries represent more than 90% of the wine sold domestically by volume!
Which government agency oversees the creation of new AVAs?
Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Napa Valley is best described as what type of climate?
Mediterranean
Name 4 US AVAs where you would expect quality Pinot Noir
Los Carneros AVA
Russian River Valley AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
Willamette Valley AVA