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WSET® Level 4 Wine > WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World > D3 - California > Flashcards

D3 - California Flashcards

Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of California.

1
Q

Within the USA, California accounts for __% of the wine produced.

A

85%

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2
Q

What are the two key climate influencers in California?

A
  1. The Pacific Ocean;
  2. The Coast Ranges (mountains that run the length of the state from the north to Santa Barbara County).
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3
Q

Pacific Ocean influence can reach some far inland vineyards in California.

Explain how this is possible.

A

Breaks in the Coast Range become funnels, channeling in cold ocean air as the hot air generated by warming land rises and sucks in the cooler ocean air.

This air movement not only cools the vineyards, it also decreases fungal disease and frost risk.

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4
Q

How does fog form in California?

A

The upwelling of colder, subsurface waters hits the warmer marine layer, cooling the marine layer’s dew point thereby forming the fog.

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5
Q

Why is the sunlight in California so intense?

A

California is at a lower latitude, 32–42°N.

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6
Q

Discuss two ways altitude affects grapes in California.

A
  1. Can be a cooling influence (lower temperatures at night);
  2. Many are above the fog line so grapes will have longer daylight hours, increasing color and tannin levels in red grapes.
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7
Q
  • What is the overall climate of California?
  • How does this climate help the coolest of growing regions?
A
  • Mediterranean (no rain during the growing season);
  • Dry autumns extend the viable growing season.
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8
Q
  • What bacterial disease threatens California’s viticulture?
  • How is this bacterial disease spread?
A
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9
Q

What are some weather hazards that afflict California viticulture?

A
  • Spring frosts;
  • Forest wildfires (which can cause smoke taint and damage vines and wineries).
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10
Q

The majority of the grapes planted in California are red or white?

A

Red (63%).

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11
Q

What are the three general styles of California Chardonnay currently in the market?

A
  1. Lots of new oak, malo flavors, pronounced tropical and peach notes;
  2. Less overt new oak, fresher/leaner, less ripe and citrusy;
  3. Unoaked (or made with oak alternatives), soft/easy drinking, medium acidity, occasional RS.
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12
Q

Name three factors that can influence the style of a California Cabernet Sauvignon.

A
  1. Site;
  2. Harvest date;
  3. Oak use.
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13
Q

Select the correct answer.

Premium Merlot in California tends to come from where:

a. A more hot than moderate climate
b. A more moderate than hot climate
c. A more cool than moderate climate

What will the profile be?

A

b. A more moderate than hot climate

Profile: higher acidity, tannins, freshness, complexity

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14
Q

In California, if a wine is labeled by grape then ___% of that stated grape must be in the bottle.

A

75%

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15
Q

In California, if a wine is named by its county, e.g Sonoma County or Santa Barbara County, how much of the wine must come from the stated county?

A

75%

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16
Q

In California, if a wine has an AVA on the label, e.g Sonoma Coast or Paso Robles, how much of the wine must come from the stated AVA?

A

85%

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17
Q

In California, if a wine has a vineyard name on the label, e.g Charles Heintz or Garys’ Vineyard, how much of the wine must come from the stated vineyard?

A

95%

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18
Q

If a California wine is labeled with an AVA AND it is vintage dated, how much of the wine must come from the stated vintage?

A

95%

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19
Q

If a California wine is vintage dated AND if just the state or a county is mentioned on the label, how much of the wine must come from the stated vintage?

A

85%

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20
Q

Under what circumstances can California wineries use the term “estate bottled”?

A

If the vineyards and winery are in the same AVA.

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21
Q

The largest wine company in the world is ______.

A

E & J Gallo

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22
Q

What are the four counties in the North Coast AVA?

A
  1. Napa;
  2. Sonoma;
  3. Mendocino;
  4. Lake.
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23
Q

Which mountain range runs through the North Coast AVA?

A

Mayacamas Mountains.

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24
Q

In Mendocino, more coastal and higher altitude AVAs tend to grow these grapes, and more inland AVAs tend to grow these grapes.

A

Coastal – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, aromatic varieties (Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc)

Inland - Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon

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25
Q

What are the six nested AVAs within the larger Mendocino AVA?

Which is the best known one?

A
  1. Anderson Valley;
  2. Yorkville Highlands;
  3. McDowell Valley;
  4. Potter Valley;
  5. Redwood Valley;
  6. Cole Ranch.
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26
Q

What conditions make Anderson Valley AVA such a good, varied place to grow grapes?

A
  • Valley runs NW to SE;
  • Warm daytime temps;
  • Navarro River funnels in fog (cool mornings and evenings);
  • SE/more inland area stays warm as the valley narrows;
  • Suitable rainfall in winter and spring;
  • Most vineyards planted on slopes of valley.
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27
Q

What are the two most planted grape varieties in Anderson Valley?

A
  • Pinot Noir;
  • Chardonnay.
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28
Q

Why does Lake County have a warm climate?

A

It’s in the rain shadow of the Mayacamas Mountains with the Vaca Range to the east.

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29
Q
  • The largest AVA in Lake County is ____ AVA.
  • The predominant grapes grown here are ____ and ____.
A
  • Clear Lake AVA
  • Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc
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30
Q
  • Where are the better grapes grown in Clear Lake AVA?
  • What are the benefits to the grapes planted here?
A
  • Around the lake on slopes at 400-450m;
  • Cooling from elevation and lake breezes.
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31
Q

What are the three overarching AVAs of Sonoma County?

A
  1. Northern Sonoma AVA;
  2. Sonoma Coast AVA;
  3. Sonoma Valley AVA.
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32
Q

In Sonoma, if a wine comes from an AVA that is nested entirely within Sonoma County, what else other than the name of the AVA must appear on the label?

A

The words “Sonoma County”.

There are two AVAs in Sonoma that bleed into other counties, so those two AVAs will NOT have Sonoma County on their labels.

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33
Q

What river runs through Northern Sonoma AVA, filling underground aquifers before flowing into the Pacific Ocean?

A

Russian River.

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34
Q

Alexander Valley AVA is warm, but it is cooled by _____.

A

Pacific air funneled in from the Petaluma Gap and Russian River Valley that flow into the AVA in the evening.

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35
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape in Alexander Valley AVA.

What helps the grapes grown here achieve such high levels of color and tannin?

A
  • 100-750m elevation;
  • W/SW facing slopes;
  • This aspect and altitude lead to high solar interception.
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36
Q

Knights Valley AVA is one of the warmest areas in all of Sonoma County, yet it produces notable wines.

What factors influence these wines?

A
  • It’s warm because it’s surrounded by hills – it has zero Pacific influence;
  • Cooler sites planted at higher altitudes (450m);
  • Warm, free-draining volcanic soils help produce ripe, full-bodied wines.
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37
Q

Dry Creek Valley AVA has both warm areas and cooler areas within this narrow valley.

Describe both areas.

A
  • Warmer: vineyards planted on west-facing slopes, areas more north that don’t get any San Pablo Bay influence;
  • Cooler: vineyards planted on east-facing slopes, areas more south that are closer to San Pablo Bay (fog and cooler nighttime air funnels up through the valley due to mountains on either side of the AVA).
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38
Q

What factors cause Rockpile AVA to have such ripe, concentrated fruit?

A
  • High elevation (above fog line, 244-650m);
  • Long hours of sunshine;
  • Shallow hillside soils hold little water AND windy conditions lead to high evapotranspiration rates (resulting in low yields and concentrated, ripe fruit);
  • Vineyards kept warm at night due to inversion layer created by Lake Sonoma.

Lake Sonoma is a large and relatively deep lake, over 200 ft deep in many areas, which holds its temperature extremely well. This creates an inversion layer, sucking the fog down to the surface of the lake, limiting the fog exposure to the AVA. The lack of fog increases the amount of sun exposure, but decreases the amount of moisture available to the vines. The lack of moisture leads to smaller berries, loose bunches, little to no bunch rot or botrytis, and over all higher quality fruit.

39
Q

What are the two distinct growing areas of Russian River Valley AVA?

A
  1. Cool south and western areas (close to Pacific, receive cool Pacific breezes due to Petaluma Gap, overnight fog);
  2. Warmer inland and northeast corner vineyards are protected by hills from fog and breezes.
40
Q

What are the two sub-AVAs of Russian River Valley AVA?

A
  1. Chalk Hill AVA;
  2. Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA.
41
Q

Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA

  • Why is it so cool?
  • What are its soils and how does that affect the grapes?
  • What are wines like here compared to RRV?
A
  • Next to Petaluma Gap, so it’s the first area to get the daily fog and the last to burn it off;
  • Low-nutrient sandstone soils, limiting vigor and creating small concentrated grapes;
  • Has higher acidity and fresher fruit flavors than RRV wines.
42
Q

Chalk Hill AVA

  • What is the climate like here compared to the rest of the RRV?
  • What is the soil?
  • What helps bring freshness to the wines?
A
  • Warmer here because it is hilly – fewer breezes;
  • White volcanic ash;
  • Elevation brings freshness – vineyards planted from valley floor up to 500m.
43
Q

What are the two AVAs nested within Sonoma Coast AVA?

A
  1. Fort Ross Seaview AVA;
  2. Petaluma Gap AVA.
44
Q

For a wine to be labeled with Fort Ross Seaview AVA, grapes must come from vineyards ___m above sea level.

A

280m

  • Above the fog layer → longer hours of sunshine and warmth;
  • Coastal winds still provide a moderating influence on temperature.
45
Q

Petaluma Gap AVA is open to the coast at both ends of the AVA.

What happens due to this?

A

High-speed coastal winds flow throughout the AVA.

46
Q

How was the Petaluma Gap AVA defined?

A

According to an area that maintains a persistent wind of at least 12 km (8 miles)/hr through the growing season;

The winds lower temperatures but also are strong enough to cause leaf stomata to close, slowing respiration and photosynthesis.

47
Q

Sonoma Valley AVA is cooler in the ____ern part of the valley due to ____.

A
  • Southern part;
  • Due to it opening right up to San Pablo Bay.
48
Q

At what elevation are vineyards planted in Sonoma Mountain AVA?

A

730m – above the fog line → intense sun, warm daytime temperatures → ripe flavors and tannins and deep color.

49
Q

Carneros lies between what body of water and which counties?

A

San Pablo Bay and Sonoma and Napa Counties.

50
Q

Because of its proximity to San Pablo Bay, Carneros gets lots of what?

A
  • Morning and evening fog;
  • Cold winds.
51
Q

Wines that qualify to be labeled a specific sub-AVA of Napa Valley must also have this on the label.

A

Napa Valley

For example, if a wine qualifies to carry the sub-AVA Spring Mountain, the label will also have ‘Napa Valley’ on the label.

52
Q

The _____ mountains to the west shelter Napa Valley from the cold Pacific Ocean while the _____ mountains protect the area from the hot Central Valley to the east.

A
  • Mayacamas mountains;
  • Vaca mountains.
53
Q

Which Napa sub-AVAs are most affected by the San Pablo Bay fog?

A
  1. Carneros AVA;
  2. Coombsville AVA;
  3. Oak Knoll AVA.
54
Q
  • What is the most famous vineyard area in Oakville and Rutherford?
  • Describe what is unique about this area.
A
  • The Rutherford Bench
  • A narrow stretch of vineyards located on a gently sloping alluvial fan at the bottom of the Mayacamas range.
55
Q

What are the four sub-AVAs on Napa Valley’s valley floor that see just some nighttime influence from San Pablo Bay?

A
  1. Yountville AVA;
  2. Stags Leap District AVA;
  3. Oakville AVA;
  4. Rutherford AVA.
56
Q

Two up-valley Napa sub-AVAs that have consistent warm to hot conditions are:

A
  • St. Helena AVA;
  • Calistoga AVA.
57
Q

Calistoga AVA cools a little bit in the afternoon and evenings from Pacific breezes come through the _______.

A

Chalk Hill gap in the Mayacamas mountains.

58
Q
  • What is the cooling influence for the mountain AVAs in Napa Valley?
  • Are these mountain AVAs below or above the fog line?
A
  • Altitude;
  • Above the fog line.
59
Q

Which answer is correct, and why?

Red wines from Napa’s mountain AVAs often have:

  • Lower levels of tannins and acidity than those from the valley floor
  • The same levels of tannins and acidity as those from the valley floor
  • Higher levels of tannins and acidity than those from the valley floor
A

Higher levels of tannins and acidity than those from the valley floor

Napa’s mountain vineyards have:

  • fewer temperature extremes and a lower diurnal range*;
  • thin soils poor in nutrients which restrict vigor, leading to reduced yields of small, concentrated grapes.

*Pulled from p.415 in the text.

60
Q
  • Which mountain AVA in Napa Valley is the coolest?
  • Why?
A
  • Mount Veeder AVA
  • As the most southerly mountain AVA it sees cool coastal influence.
61
Q

One of Napa Valley’s warmest AVAs is this mountain AVA which produces ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with intense concentration and firm tannins.

A

Howell Mountain AVA.

62
Q

Why are wines from the middle and east of the Napa Valley floor less structured than those from the mountains or alluvial fans?

A
  • Soils are silt and clay, formed by the Napa river as it has flooded and contracted over time;
  • Soils have very high fertility and water retaining capacity.
63
Q

Alluvial Fans

  1. What is an alluvial fan?
  2. Where are they located in Napa Valley?
  3. What are they also known as?
A
  1. Sedimentary deposits from mountain streams that fan out when they reach the valley floor;
  2. Generally found on the west side of the valley;
  3. Also called ‘benches’ – deep, rocky soils that have moderate fertility.
64
Q

Select the correct answer.

Drip irrigation in the Napa Valley is:

a. Not installed due to Napa’s high rainfall (>1500mm)
b. Widely installed due to Napa’s dry growing season

A

b. Widely installed due to Napa’s dry growing season

65
Q

In Napa, why is blending within or across different AVAs common practice?

A

Winemakers may want to blend vineyards, different soil types, or cooler fruit with riper fruit.

66
Q

The Central Coast AVA runs from San Francisco to _____.

A

Santa Barbara.

67
Q

The Central Coast AVA extends ~60 miles inland, yet several inland areas remain pretty cool from marine air.

How does this happen?

A

Gaps in the hills and mountain range allow for the marine air to be funneled into the warmer areas.

68
Q

Why is Livermore Valley AVA important?

A
  • One of California’s oldest wine regions;
  • Initial plantings in the 1760s by Spanish missionaries;
  • In the 1880s, Wente Vineyards was established using Chardonnay cuttings from Meursault, and Concannon Vineyards was founded using Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Margaux;
  • These are some of the oldest, continuously running wineries in the United States, operating even during Prohibition by producing sacramental wine.
69
Q

What are the important features to know about Santa Cruz Mountains AVA?

A
  • Several vineyards planted at high altitudes along the ridge line (up to 800m);
  • This provides a moderating influence for daytime temperatures;
  • At night, cool air slips down the slopes, forcing warm air upward – thus nights remain relatively warm and frosts are rare.
70
Q

What five AVAs of Monterey County do you need to know for the exam?

A
  1. Monterey AVA;
  2. Santa Lucia Highlands AVA;
  3. Arroyo Seco AVA;
  4. Chalone AVA;
  5. Carmel Valley AVA.
71
Q

Monterey AVA

  1. What moderates it?
  2. What are the soils?
  3. Wines from this AVA are generally inexpensive/high-volume or premium/low-volume?
A
  1. Cool marine air funneled from Monterey Bay;
  2. Free-draining sandy loam and gravel (irrigation necessary);
  3. Inexpensive/high-volume.
72
Q

Fill in the blanks.

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA

  1. Vineyards are planted up to ___m in altitude.
  2. Vineyards are exposed to ____ and ____ which can slow what?
A
  1. 350m;
  2. Wind and fog, which can slow ripening.
73
Q

Arroyo Seco AVA

Where in this AVA is more Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel planted, and why?

A

The gorge, or ravine (darkest green in attached image); it’s warmer due to being sheltered from marine influence.

74
Q

Chalone AVA

  1. Are vineyards planted above or below the fog line?
  2. What are the soils?
  3. What effects does this have on the grapes?
A
  1. Above the fog line (so warm days with long hours of sun);
  2. Free-draining limestone and granite;
  3. Low yields of concentrated grapes.
75
Q

What are the three main AVAs of San Luis Obispo County?

A
  1. Paso Robles AVA;
  2. Edna Valley AVA;
  3. Arroyo Grande AVA.
76
Q

Briefly describe the 2 general different areas of the Paso Robles AVA and the typical profile of the wines they produce.

A
  1. Eastern areas: warmer climate – produces wines with full-body and concentrated, ripe fruit flavors;
  2. Western areas: cooler climate – produces wines with higher acidity and fresher flavors.
77
Q

What are the two general soils of Paso Robles AVA?

A
  1. Calcareous;
  2. Clay (good water retention).
78
Q

Edna Valley AVA and Arroyo Grande AVA are known as being two of the ___er AVAs in California.

Why?

A
  • Cooler (Edna Valley is one of the coolest AVAs in California);
  • Cool Pacific fog and ocean winds.
79
Q

What are the six AVAs of Santa Barbara County?

Which 4 are nested sub-AVAs of Santa Ynez Valley AVA?

A
  1. Santa Maria Valley AVA;
  2. Santa Ynez Valley AVA;
  3. Sta. Rita Hills AVA;
  4. Ballard Canyon AVA;
  5. Los Olivos District AVA;
  6. Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA.
80
Q

What is unique to the layout of the Santa Barbara AVAs collectively?

A

They’re located in the Transverse Ranges

  • east-west orientation of the Southern Coast Ranges;
  • Western side faces the Pacific Ocean – cool breezes + fog are funneled in eastward into the vineyards, significantly lowering temperatures (western sides of the AVAs are usually cooler and windier than the eastern sides);
  • Air circulation reduces risk of frost and fungal diseases, so grapes can be kept on the vine longer, which can be needed in the coolest sites.
81
Q

Sta. Rita Hills AVA

  1. What distinguishes the area?
  2. What is its orientation?
A
  1. Cool temperatures and calcium-rich soils;
  2. East-west orientation.
82
Q

Sta. Rita Hills AVA

  1. Where is it within the Santa Ynez AVA?
  2. What grape variety is it best known for?
A
  1. Western edge of Santa Ynez AVA;
  2. Pinot Noir.
83
Q

Excluding Sta. Rita Hills AVA, which of the other nested Santa Ynez AVAs is the furthest from the Pacific Ocean?

What are its cooling influences?

A
  • Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA;
  • Cooling influences are from high altitudes and exposure to afternoon winds, both of which can give a high diurnal range.
84
Q

What two valleys make up the Central Valley in California?

A
  1. Sacramento Valley (northern);
  2. San Joaquin Valley (southern).
85
Q

Give a brief characterization of California’s Central Valley.

A
  • High yielding vineyards on flat fertile areas;
  • Daytime temperatures usually 35–40°C (95–104°F) resulting in very ripe grapes.
86
Q

Name the two largest producers in California’s Central Valley.

A
  1. E & J Gallo Winery;
  2. Bronco Wine Company.
87
Q

Lodi AVA

  1. What is its climate?
  2. What moderates the climate here?
A
  1. Hot Mediterranean;
  2. Cooling afternoon winds from the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
88
Q

Lodi AVA

  1. What are the soils and terrain like?
  2. Is irrigation rare or common?
  3. What grape is it best known for?
A
  1. Free-draining sandy + clay loam soils on flatlands;
  2. Irrigation common;
  3. Best known for Zinfandel.
89
Q

The Sierra Foothills AVA is literally in the foothills of which mountain range?

A

Sierra Nevadas (western foothills).

90
Q

How is it possible to grow grapes in the Sierra Foothills AVA when daytime temperatures are so hot [35–40°C (95–104°F)]?

A
  • Cool nighttime mountain downdrafts give a high diurnal range;
  • Planting vineyards at higher elevations helps manage sugar levels (up to around 600m in Amador County and >1,000 m in El Dorado AVA).
91
Q

Why is dry farming so prevalent in Sierra Foothills AVA?

A

The sandy clay loam soil from decomposed granite retains sufficient water.

92
Q

Where is the South Coast AVA?

A

Southern California – runs from south of Los Angeles county all the way to the border with Mexico.

93
Q

Sierra Foothills AVA is known for its old vine _____, but it also grows a range of grapes including:

A

Old Vine Zinfandel.

Also known for growing Rhône and Italian varieties, and Tempranillo.

94
Q

For U.S. wines, can 2 AVAs appear on a label?

A

Yes, but only if they are nested

WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World (47 decks)

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