Ch 32 - USA Flashcards
What are the main factors which influence climate in California?
Exceptionally cold California Ocean Current. Mountains north of LA shield a lot of the state from this but in affected areas it has a marked effect. Lack of rain during ripening season is also a factor and can cause real concern so drip irrigation is common. Scarcity of autumn rain allows grapes to stay on vine longer into the season which results in very ripe grapes - concentrated flavours and high sugar.
How does the ocean current impact on climate and weather in Claifornia?
Cold air and fogs are drawn from the ocean in the evening, lowering night temps. Time it takes the sun to burn off the fog in the morning means the cooling influence extends well into the day. Can mean grapes near coast struggle to ripen. Where mountains have gaps it can reach inland. Valleys at right angles to oceans like in Monterey and Santa Barbara act as funnel for the air.
What are the most common black grapes in California?
Cab Sav is the most widely planted. Zinfandel, merlot, pinot noir.
What style of Cab Sav is produced in California?
Extremely expressive wines from prime sites which rival the best in the world. Full bodied wines with concentrated flavours of concentrated cassis and prominent spice from new oak. Some make it in less rich style with fresher blackcurrant flavours.
What factors influence the style of Zinfandel in California?
Has a tendency to ripen unevenly so harvested fruit may include both raisined and underripe grapes. Raising results in concentrated full bodied wines with high alcohol and some residual sugar. Flavours include red and black fruits, dried berries and liquorice. The underripe grapes can give subtle herbaceous qualities.
What else is Zinfandel used for in California other than red wine? What style is this wine?
Used to produce high volumes of rosé from early picked grapes. These are fruity, pale in colour and medium sweet, low in alcohol.
What style of wines does Merlot make?
Merlot is used to make approachable wines with soft tannins and ripe black fruit.
What style is a red Zinfandel from California?
full bodied, concentrated red wine with high alcohol and small amounts of residual sugar. Flavours include red and black fruits, dried berries and liquorice, sometimes herbaceous notes.
Where would you find high volume Merlot in California?
San Joaquin in Central Valley - wimple inexpensive wines.
Where do better quality Californian Merlots come from? What is the style?
Cooler sites like Monterey, North Coast like Napa and Sonoma. Deeply coloured wines with soft, velvety tannins, luscious body, high alcohol and classic flavours of blackberry and plum.
Where would you find Premium Pinot Noir in California? What is their style?
Moderate regions like Russian River Valley, Los Carneros and Santa Maria Valley. Varies according to site and winemaking practices. Some are light in colour with gamey and vegetal notes though most show rich layers of ripe red fruit (red cherry, strawberry) and notes of sweet spice from oak maturation.
What is the most planted white grape in California? What style is it made in?
Chardonnay. A wide variation in styles from inexpensive high volume Central Valley wines which are fruity with low-medium acidity and a toasty note from oak staves/chips to high quality which is very full bodied high in alcohol and low in acidity with obvious oak, hazelnut and butter underpinning peach and banana flavours. There is a wide variety of premium chardonnay being made now though including more restrained examples with less oak from cooler regions like Los Carneros and Russian River Valley.
What is the other dominant white grape and what is the style?
Sav Blanc - best from the coastal regions giving high acidity and ripe citrus. Affordable, fruity everyday wines from warmer regions liek Central Valley. Fumé blanc indicates an oaked Sav Blanc but some use it for unoaked as well.
What are the vineyard and climactic characteristics in Central valley and how do these impact production in California?
Central Valley has very fertile soil and irrigation is used to increase yield - therefore production of high volume, inexpensive wines with ripe fruit driven style. Climate is hot and dry and because of the valley being surrounded by mountains it does not get the cooling influences of the ocean current and breezes. Cab Sav, Merlot and Chardonnay widely planted.
What is the general climate of North Coast California?
Strongly influenced by the ocean bringing fog and cool breezes that flow through the gaps in the coastal rangers and river valleys. Affects average temps and diurnal temps and determine grape plantings.
