Californie Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main climatic influence on California’s wine growing regions?

A

The California Ocean Current

it’s an extremely cold Pacific Ocean current which moves down from British Columbia and directly affects the coast of California.

Despite California’s latitude and northern California’s mountainous terrain, it is this ocean current that plays the largest role in moderating California’s grape growing regions.

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2
Q

Most California vineyards are protected from cold ocean currents by what geological feature?

A

Mountains - which run up most of the state’s coastline.

Without the mountains, California’s northern coast would be dramatically cooler due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The mountains help insulate California.

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3
Q

What are the beneficial effects of fog created by California’s cold ocean currents?

A

The cold evening air and morning fogs that are drawn in from the ocean help to lower evening temperatures and retain acidity in the grapes.

Additionally, it takes longer for the sun to burn off the fog in the morning which extends the cooling effect well into late morning or afternoon.

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4
Q

What is the major detrimental effect of fog caused by California’s cold ocean currents?

A

The cooling influence of fog can be so intense that in some parts of California grapes can have difficulty ripening

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5
Q

What climatic factor links nearly all of California’s grape growing regions?

A

Low rainfall during the ripening season.

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6
Q

What is the beneficial impact of California’s low rainfall during the ripening season?

A

Lack of rain means growers can leave their grapes on the vine late into the season, resulting in super-ripe grapes with intense flavors and elevated sugar levels.

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7
Q

How do many California grape growers deal with the lack of rain during the ripening season?

A

Due to the shortage of rain in California, many grape growers use drip irrigation to make sure their vines have water during the growing season.

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8
Q

What is the most planted red/black grape in California?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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9
Q

What is the most widely planted grape variety of either color in California?

A

Chardonnay

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10
Q

Despite its European origin, what grape is widely considered to be a uniquely Californian grape?

A

Zinfandel

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11
Q

What unique characteristic of Zinfandel allows it to be produced in several kinds of styles throughout California?

A

Zinfandel has the propensity of ripening unevenly, meaning that harvested bunches almost always include both unripe and raisinated grapes (which produces both underripe and overripe flavors in the wine).

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12
Q

What is White Zinfandel made from?
What is its general profile?

A

Early-harvested Zinfandel grapes

Berry-fruity
Pale pink
Medium-sweet
Low alcohol
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13
Q

Which areas in California have reputations for making distinctive Merlot with character?

A

The cooler regions of California, such as Monterey County and parts of California’s North Coast, and the warmer regions of Napa and Sonoma.

Merlot from these regions will be soft, lush, and velvety.

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14
Q

Which area in California has the largest plantings of Merlot?

Are these Merlots generally seen as higher quality or lesser quality than those from Napa, Sonoma or Monterey?

A

Which area in California has the largest plantings of Merlot?

Are these Merlots generally seen as higher quality or lesser quality than those from Napa, Sonoma or Monterey?

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15
Q

Which AVAs of California are known for producing premium Pinot Noir?

A

Russian River Valley AVA;
Los Carneros AVA;
Santa Maria Valley AVA.

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16
Q

What does Fumé Blanc usually refer to?

A

Fumé Blanc usually refers to Sauvignon Blanc made in the United States that more than likely saw some new oak.

Be careful though, some producers will use Fumé Blanc on unoaked wines as a marketing term.

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17
Q

Where do some choice examples of California Sauvignon Blanc come from?

A

California’s coastal areas – which promote brisk acidity and bursting citrus notes.

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18
Q

Of the five winegrowing regions in California, which three do you have to know for the exam?

A

North Coast
Central Coast
Central Valley

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19
Q

Where is the majority of California’s wine produced?

A

Central Valley

The hot + dry Central Valley has very fertile soil and irrigation is widely used to increase grape yields.

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20
Q

What California AVA has been a leader in forming California’s reputation for quality wines, and has been shown to possess some of the most desirable vineyards in the United States?

A

Napa Valley AVA

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21
Q

What large body of water has a significant cooling effect on Napa Valley?

A
22
Q

What are the two mountain ranges that flank Napa Valley?

A
23
Q

How long is Napa Valley?

And how wide is it?

A
24
Q

What are the AVAs within Napa County you need to know for the exam?

A
25
Q

Which valley floor AVAs of Napa Valley have built reputations for their Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
26
Q

Which valley floor AVA is best known for producing rich, complex, and “dusty” Cabernet Sauvignon wines?

A
27
Q

Which northern Napa Valley AVAs record some of Napa Valley’s highest temperatures, thereby producing some of the most concentrated wines of the Napa Valley?

A
28
Q

Which Napa Valley AVAs reside above the region’s fog line?

A
29
Q

Which AVA is shared between Napa and Sonoma?

A
30
Q

Los Carneros AVA has built its reputation by producing what styles of wine?

A
31
Q

Climatically, how does Sonoma County compare to Napa County?

A
32
Q

What feature allows Russian River AVA to produce its famous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?

A
33
Q

Which Sonoma AVAs to the north of Russian River AVA are known for their higher temperatures?

A
34
Q

The best vineyards of the Sonoma Coast AVA all face which direction?

A
35
Q

What are the AVAs of Sonoma County you need to know for the exam?

A
36
Q

Which county lies directly north of Sonoma County?

A
37
Q

What cool Mendocino County AVA is known for its Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, and sparkling wines?

A
38
Q

Which AVA south of San Francisco is known for its rugged mountainside vineyards, low fertility soils, and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
39
Q

The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is known for producing highly celebrated wines from which international grape varieties?

A
40
Q

The Salinas Valley, which straddles the Salinas River in California’s Central Coast, is one of California’s most productive and important agricultural regions.

Which AVA overlaps the Salinas Valley?

A
41
Q

Which AVA in Monterey County is known for its rich, complex, and flavorful Chardonnays?

A
42
Q

How do the mountain ranges in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties impact growing conditions?

A
43
Q

Which AVA in San Luis Obispo County is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah?

A
44
Q

Which Santa Barbara County AVAs do you need to know for the exam?

A
45
Q

Which AVAs of Santa Barbara County have earned reputations for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?

A
46
Q

Which grape varieties perform well in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA?

A
47
Q

Which two valleys are completely contained within California’s Central Valley winegrowing area?

A
48
Q

What grape varieties were created specifically to match the warm conditions in California’s Central Valley?

A
49
Q

Which AVA spans across both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys?

A
50
Q

The Lodi AVA is home to some of the longest lived and highest quality vines of what variety?

A
51
Q

The Lodi AVA, which is situated east of the _______, receives cool breezes coming off of _______.

A