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
Which is the largest wine company in California?
E & J Gallo
There are 242 AVAs in the USA, how many are in California?
- 60% or 140 of AVAs are in California
What winery first labeled Sauvignon Blanc as Fumé Blanc in the United States?
Robert Mondavi
Which of the 4 major AVAs produces the least amount of wine by volume?
Which 2 counties for its north and south borders?
South Coast AVA
Los Angeles County to the north, San Diego County to the south.
Name 5 AVAs that are above the fog line in Napa
How are these AVAs cooled?
Howell Mountain AVA
Atlas Peak AVA
Diamond Mountain District AVA
Spring Mountain District AVA
Mount Veeder AVA
-They are cooled by altitude
Where in California could you find Aromatic whites e.g. Riesling and Gewurztraminer?
Which county is it located in?
Anderson Valley AVA
Mendocino County
Describe a typical Zinfandel wine:
Dry (often with perceptible RS),
Full Body, Moderate Tannin, Moderate to Elevated Acidity,
Elevated to High Alcohol
-Jammy Red/Black fruit, dried berries, licorice.
General climate of California?
Mediterranean climate moderated by Pacific fogs and cool sea winds (in places) that slow the ripening of grapes
In which US state and region is Dry Creek Valley?
California
Sonoma County
Diamond Creek Vineyards is located in which AVA?
What does this winery claim to be?
What other significant milestone pertains to them?
What are the 3 regular singe-vineyard wines, and the 1 top bottling only produced in superior vintages?
Diamond Mountain District AVA, Napa Valley.
The first Napa Valley Estate to exclusively produce Cabernet Sauvignon.
They were the first winery to crack the $100/bottle retail mark.
Volcanic Hill / Red Rock / Gravelly Meadow
Lake Vineyard
Los Carneros produces which two varietals primarily?
-
Wine production
- Wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, typically:
- From Medium bodied, Medium alcohol, Medium + acidity, Fresher fruit
- To full bodied, riper and higher alcohol styles
- Good to outstanding in quality – mid-priced to super-premium in price
- Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
- Wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, typically:
Of the Napa Valley sides which is hotter, East facing or West facing?
West facing
(Sun rises in East and sets in the West)
For a Rutherford AVA merlot, what is the minimum % of merlot that must be in the wine?
75%
5 important AVAs of the Central Coast?
- Monterey
- Paso Robles
- Santa Maria Valley
- Santa Ynez Hills
- Santa Rita Hills
If an AVA is quoted on the label what are the minimum requirements under Federal labelling laws?
- AVA quoted:
- must be 85% of grapes from that AVA
- wine must be fermented and finished in the state where AVA located
- if Vintage stated – then 95% must be from that vintage
Key viticultural risks for Californian winegrowing?
Key viticultural risks:
- spring frost
- drought – irrigation is installed in most vineyards
- fungal diseases – but reduced due to low growing season rainfall
- Bacterial Pierce’s disease – spread by leafhopper insects called sharpshooters
- Bushfires can be an issue – especially due to the droughts of recent years
Which is California’s most planted grape variety - Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot?
Chardonnay
Who are the big three of the USA wine producers?
- Top three of the big ten in the USA
- E&J Gallo – 70 million cases
- The Wine Group – 53 million cases
- Constellation brands – 50 million cases
In which county will you find Alexander Valley AVA?
Sonoma County
The confusing USA wine labelling laws
- The wine laws that apply have been mentioned above but summarised:
- Variety – must be 75% of variety but if:
-
Locality
- State – if it says California – then 100% from that state
- 75% of grapes from county if the county name is mentioned, i.e. Sonoma County
- 85% of grapes from AVA if AVA name is mentioned
- 95% of grapes from that vineyard if a single vineyard name used
-
Vintage
- 95% of the grapes – from a stated vintage – if an AVA mentioned
- 85% of the grapes – from a stated vintage – if a county or state mentioned
-
Estate bottled
- If winery and vineyard in the same AVA
- Lead to large AVAs being created so producers can use the term
Name 3 producers in Sonoma County:
Rodney Strong,
Kosta Browne, and
Kistler
What % volume of all California wine comes from Napa Valley?
4%
Santa Ynez Valley AVA - describe it and name sub AVAs
Santa Ynez Valley AVA
- Large AVA with both cool coastal and warm inland temperatures
- Contains four sub AVAs
- Sta. Rita Hills
- Ballard Canyon
- Los Olivos district
- Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
What is the climate and best known style of wine in Anderson Valley AVA?
Cooler continental, w/ a super-cool ripening season.
Sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Which Californian red wine beat the French in the ‘Judgment of Paris’ competition in 1976?
Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 1973
Rockpile AVA is located in which county?
They are famed for:
Sonoma County
Ripe, powerful styles of Zinfandel, aged in either American or French oak.
Name the three overarching AVAs of Sonoma county
- Three overarching AVAs
- Northern Sonoma
- Sonoma coast
- Sonoma valley
Which AVA, being the most southerly in Napa, produces high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for both still and sparkling wines?
Los Carneros
Wine production of Central Valley, who are two biggest producers and how are the wines labelled?
- Wine production
- Large scale production
- Two biggest are: E&J Gallo and Bronco Wine company
- Wines labelled with California appellation
Climate of Lodi AVA?
- Growing environment
- Hot Mediterranean climate
- Moderated temperatures with cooling afternoon winds from SF Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta
- Breaks in north and south coast ranges allows breezes off the bay to travel far inland
- Vineyards are on flatlands
- Free draining sandy and clay loam soils
- Low rainfall – irrigation used
Windy conditions reduce fungal diseases and frost
What is the northernmost wine-growing County in California?
Which 2 AVAs are north of it, but not included in the county itself?
Mendocino County
Dos Rios AVA / Covelo AVA
Petite Sirah is the offspring of:
What is it also known as?
Syrah and Peloursin
Durif
When Central Valley is so hot how can Lodi produce quality wines?
Which wine is Lodi specifically known for?
Because it is cooled by a breeze from San Fransisco Bay
Old vine Zinfandel.
High quality sparkling wines are produced in which 2 AVAs in California?
Los Carneros
Anderson Valley
In the USA, what are the minimum requirements for labeling a wine by:
Vintage?
Variety?
Location (AVA / Vineyard)?
Vintage: 85% (95% for Oregon)
Variety: 75% (90% for Oregon)
Location
AVA: 85% (95% for Oregon, or Washington is grapes are coming from a shared AVA)
Vineyard: 95%
What is the definition of an AVA?
American Viticultural Area
“Delimited grape growing areas.”
Refers to geographic location only, not varietal.
First AVAs were named in the 1980’s, beginning with Augusta, MO and Napa Valley, CA.
Monterey AVA - climate, soils, viti and wines
-
Monterey AVA
- 80 miles long – largest in Monterey County
- Majority of AVA follows Salinas River valley
-
Climate
- Salinas valley opens directly to Monterey Bay
- Water in the bay is particularly cold
- Afternoons/evenings in Salinas valley can be particularly cool and windy
- North of the valley is the coolest
-
Soils
- Sandy loam and gravel and free draining
-
Viticulture
- Low growing season rainfall means irrigation is essential sourced from the Salinas river
- Northern areas – cooler – planted to Pinot Noir and Riesling
- Further south/inland - planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel
- Chardonnay is planted in all sites – 50% of all plantings!
-
Wines
- Production of mainly inexpensive and mid-priced high-volume wines
- Used in either Monterey wines or cross-regional blends
Chalk Hill AVA is located within which larger AVA?
Russian River Valley AVA (Sonoma County)
Working South to North list the 9 AVAs on the Napa Valley floor (i.e. NOT mountain AVAs)
Los Carneros AVA
Coombsville AVA
Oak Knoll District AVA
Yountville AVA
Stags Leap District AVA
Oakville AVA
Rutherford AVA
Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA

Climate in California influenced by two key factors?
Climate influenced by two key factors:
- Ranges of Mountains running along length of the state
- Californian current – bringing cold water from North, which upwells at the coast
The USA has Appellations of Origin, what are they and what are the laws surrounding them?
The USA has Appellations of Origin which are based on political boundaries
- 75% min. of the grapes used to make the wine must be from county/appellation
- Wine must be fully finished in the state that appellation exists
California is now the World’s 4th, 5th, or 6th largest wine producer by value?
4th largest (after France, Italy, Spain)
What are the 2 main grapes of Santa Maria Valley AVA?
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Monterey County is where, and includes which AVAs?
- Monterey County
- Vineyards are in the large Salinas valley
- Run from Monterey bay to San Luis Obispo county in south
- Includes Monterey AVA, Santa Lucia highlands, Chalone, Arroyo Seco and Carmel valley
What 4 criteria must be satisfied to label a wine as “Estate-Bottled” in the USA?
- The wine is labeled with an AVA;
- The winery is located in that same AVA;
- The winery owns or “controls” the vineyard;
- The crushed, fermented, finished, and bottled the wine on the same property.
Rank the following Napa Valley AVAs from coolest to warmest (1 = coolest, 4 = warmest).
A. Calistoga
B. Los Carneros
C. Stag’s Leap District
D. Coombsville
- Los Carneros
- Coombsville
- Stag’s Leap District
- Calistoga
How many planted Hectares in USA?
What is its world ranking for wine production?
430,000 Ha.
4th biggest
Key facts about the US wine market
The US wine market today
- World’s largest wine market today
- Highest import value – 5.2 billion Euro
- But low consumption per head – 11 litres per head
- 4th largest producer – but 8th largest exporter
- Over 60% of American wine is consumed domestically
- 10,000 wineries across the country
- The ten largest wineries represent more than 90% of the wine sold domestically by volume!
Regulatory control of alcohol in the USA?
- 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
What are the key varietals grown in California
Grape varieties: Chardonnay 20%, Cab sv 20%, Zinfandel 8.5%, Merlot 8%, Pinot Noir 7.5%
But Cabernet Sauvignon plantings increasing, likely overtake Chardonnay
63% of grapes used for winemaking are black grapes
Zinfandel is considered a signature varietal of California.
What does premium Zinfandel taste like.
What is ‘White Zin’
Zinfandel
- Considered a signature varietal of California
- Old-vine Zinfandel – some over 100 years old (Dry Creek Valley)
- Can suffer from uneven ripening, so can have jammy and fresh flavours intermingled
- Premium Zinfandel:
- Medium+ acidity
- Med to full bodied
- Ripe med+ tannins
- Raspberry, blueberry and blackberry
- Often vanilla, coconut notes from American oak maturation
- Inexpensive Zinfandel – soft ripe and often jammy
- ‘White Zin’
- From central valley
- Zinfandel made into a Rose
- Made by:
- Short maceration
- Ferment in stainless steel and cool temps
- Stopped the ferment at medium dry sweetness
- Alcohol 10.5-11 degrees abv
- Medium acidity and tannins with fruity plummy character
Anderson Valley AVA’s climate is:
Climate
o Warm during the day but cold air and fog funnelled in during evenings
o Airflow is along the Navarro River
o Further inland less maritime influence and is warmer
o Rainfall is high – 900-2000mm
o Most rainfall in winter and spring
Anderson Valley’s wine production is best known for?
- Wine production
- Pinot Noir is highly rated
- Style vary by site climate, clones and harvesting times
- Generally:
- Fresh raspberry, cherry, plum fruit
- Medium body and med+ acidity
- Good to outstanding quality, premium to super premium priced
- Also aromatic Alsace style wines
- Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc
- 85 wineries in AVA
- Pinot Noir is highly rated
Russian river valley AVA viticulture?
-
Viticulture
- Coolest parts – southern and western parts – planted mainly to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Top quality fruit produced – AVA has been expanded twice
- Now over 7,200 Ha. planted in 2013
Russian river Valley Chardonnay, describe it
- Chardonnays
- Medium to med+ body
- Med+ acidity
- Ripe peach and pineapple
- Creamy and spicy flavours from MLF and oak maturation
Green valley of Russian river Valley AVA is a sub AVA of Russian river Valley - describe it and the wines made
-
Green valley of Russian river valley AVA
- Located next to Petaluma Gap
- In the south west of the Russian river AVA
- Gets first fogs in the afternoon and is the last to lose it in the morning
- Has come of the coolest conditions in northern California
- Free draining, low nutrient sandstone soils – limits the vigour and creating small concentrated grapes
- Wines
- Pinot Noir and Chardonnay most planted in AVA
- Used in both still and sparkling
- Similar in style to Russian river valley AVA – but wines have higher acidity and fresher fruit flavours
Chalk Hill AVA, location, climate and wines
-
Chalk Hill AVA
- North east corner of the Russian river valley AVA
- Hilly area with some blocking of ocean influence and is further inland than other parts of the Russian river valley AVA
- Warmer climate than surrounding areas
- Soil is white volcanic ash
- Vineyards planted on the valley floor and up to 500mRL
- Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc most planted
Petaluma Gap AVA - where, climate, viticulture and wines
Petaluma Gap AVA
- Defined by its wind conditions
- Located in southern Sonoma County and northern Marin county
- Extends from the gap in the Northern Coast range to San Pablo Bay
- Open to the sea at both ends – high speed coastal winds flow throughout the AVA
- Boundaries defined according to an area that maintains a persistent wind of at least 8 miles per hour
-
Viticulture
- The winds lower temperatures are strong enough to close leaf stomata and slow respiration and photosynthesis
- Pinot Noir comprises 75% of all plantings – followed by Chardonnay and Syrah
-
Wines
- Tend to have high acidities, fresh fruit flavours and often lower alcohol compared to more sheltered, inland appellations
Sonoma Valley AVA - bordered by what mountains?
- South eastern corner of Sonoma county – bordered in the east by Mayacamas mountains and Sonoma mountain range in the west
Sonoma Mountain AVA, its location, climate, soils, vineyards and wines
-
Sonoma Mountain AVA
- on Western side of the Sonoma Valley AVA
-
Climate
- Cold air coming down from the mountains can give cool nights, helping to retain acidity
-
Soils
- Volcanic in origin, low in nutrients and free draining
- Soils help to control vigour and yields
-
Vineyards
- Planted up to 730m – above the fog line – expose grapes to intense sun and warm daytime temperatures
- Give ripe flavours, tannins and deep colour
- Planted mainly on east facing, steep slopes
-
Wines
- Concentrated ripe Cabernet Sauvignon
- Plus Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah
- Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Semillon planted on the cooler sites - west side of the AVA with more ocean influence
The most planted varietal in Bennett Valley is ?
Syrah