L3- USA & California Chaps 32 & 33 Flashcards
What are the 4 most important US wine regions?
What is the basis for American wine law?
California, Oregon, Washington and New York are the most important USA wine regions/states.
The American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the basis for the USA’s GI (geographic indicator) regions.
Federal laws specify the minimum percenages of grapes that must come from a single grape variety, vintage or AVA to allow those terms to appear on the label.
Describe the climate, geographic region and grape growing in California.
CA spans 1100 Kilometers north to south (vineyards throughout)
CLIMATE- Influence of very cold California Ocean Current is most important
Coast is mountaineous - mountains shield much of the state from California Ocean Current, BUT different in each area
Cold air causes fogs and lowers night time temps. Cooling influence extends into the day because of fog. In some years grapes can struggle to ripen. (Santa Barbara & Monterrey)
In contrast, where no exposure to the ocean (ie. Central Valley) the climate is hot
LACK OF RAIN- drip irrigation widely practiced due to water shortages.
Shortage of rain in autumn means some grape growers may leave grapes on vine long into the season, causing very concentrated flavors w/ high sugar levels. Those who value freshness in wine, pick slightly earlier
What are the most widely grown black grape varietals in California?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
-Zinfandel (ie. primitivo)
-Merlot
-Pinot Noir
-Syrah
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon = most widely planted grape in CA
Typical characteristics of prime sites:
-Full-bodied
-Concentrated cassis flavors
-Spice aromas from new oak aromas
-Other producers choose to make in a less rich style w/ fresher blackcurrant flavors
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Zinfandel.
Zinfandel -CA’s “own” grape variety
-Tendency to ripen unevenly
- Harvested fruit can include both raisined and underripe grapes. Raisining can result in:
– concentrated,
–full bodied red wines
–high alcohol levels
–small amounts residual sugar levels
–red and black fruit flavors
–dried berries
–liquorice
-can display subtle herbaceous quality from underripe grapes
Large volumes of Zinfandel rose made rom early picked grapes (known as white Zinfandel)- wines are typically fruity, pale in color, medium sweet, & low in alcohol
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Merlot and primary regions.
Difference between mass production and better quality wines of this grape in CA regions?
Merlot is widely planted
Produces wines w/:
-Soft tannins
-Ripe black fruit
Mass production - San Joaquin Valley (simple/inexpensive wines)
Better quality Merlot comes from cooler sites such as Monterey/North Coast (including Napa and Sonoma). Produces wines:
-soft velvety taninns
-luscious body
-high alcohol
-classic varietal flavors of blackberry and plum
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Pinot Noir and primary regions.
Premium Pinot Noir comes from moderate Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, and Santa Maria regions.
Styles range widely according to the vineyard site and winemaking practices.
Styles:
-Some are light in color, with classic gamey and vegetal notes
-However, majority show rich layers of ripe red fruit flavors (red cherry, strawberry), notes of vanilla from oak maturation
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Syrah.
Planted across the state
Typically in a full-bodied, rich style
Some producers make leaner and more peppery styles.
What are the most widely grown white grape varietals in California?
- Chardonnay
-Sauvignon Blanc
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Chardonnay and different styles.
Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape variety
Wide variation of production styles:
-inexpensive, high volume, fruity, low to medium acid, toasty notes from oak staves or chips (from Central Valley)
-high quality Chardonnay - full body, high alc, low acidity, oak, hazelnut, butter w/ peach & banana fruit flavors
Today more restrained styles WITH LESS OAK are coming from Russian River Valley and Los Carneros
Describe the typical characteristics of a California Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc
The best comes from coastal regions =
-high acidity
-ripe citrus flavors
Affordable, fruity “everyday” wines comes from the Central Valley
Fume Blanc in CA can mean an oaked Sauvignon Blanc
What are the three California regions that produce the majority of well-known County Appellations and AVAs?
Which region produces the most wine?
The 3 regions are
-North Coast
-Central Coast
-Central Valley (produces the most wines -very fertile soil & irrigation used)
What is the general climate and location of the North Coast region of California?
This is the region north of San Franscisco Bay
Climate of the vineyards is strongly influenced by the ocean
Brings fog and cool breezes that flow through gaps in the coastal ranges and river valleys
How large is the Napa Valley AVA?
What is this AVA known for?
What is the geographic lay-out of Napa Valley?
What are the cooling influences here?
Napa Valley AVA is 50 kilometers wide
It is the most prestigious and expensive AVA
Geographically i it is surrounded by mountains -> Mayacamas Mountains to the west are the boundary with Sonoma County. To the east are the Vaca Mountains that separate the Napa Valley from the Northern part of the Central Valley.
-Morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay (northern extension of San Francisco) moderate the temperatures to the south
Where is Los Carneros AVA located?
What varietals and styles of wine are produced Los Carneros AVA?
Los Carneros is the most southerly vineyard located on the valley floor of Napa, extending in Sonoma County.
It is cool enough to produce:
-High quality Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (used both for still wines and for sparkling wines)
Where are Stags Leap District, Oakville, and Rutherford located?
What varietals and styles of wine are produced in Stags Leap District, Oakville, and Rutherford?
Which of three (Stags Leap District, Oakville, or Rutherford) has the least influence of the San Pablo Bay cooling breezes?)
Stags Leap District, Oakville, and Rutherford are located north of Los Carneros, all within Napa County.
These areas produce premium Cabernet Sauvignons.
Rutherford has the least influence from the San Pablo Bay, and is warmest during the day -producing wines considered to have the most power and structure.
Merlot is also widely planted
Chardonnay & Sauv Blanc showing ripe tropical flavors are also here.
Where are Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA located?
What varietals and styles of wine are produced in Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA ?
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA are located in the north and receive the warmest day time temperatures
Wines are the Napa Valley’s most:
-concentrated
-full bodied
Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah are grown here
Cool air from a gap in the Mayacama mountains and cooler nights help to retain acidity in the grapes
Where are Howell Mountain AVA and Mount Veeder AVA located?
What varietals and styles of wine are produced in Howell Mountain AVA and Mount Veeder AVA ?
Both Howell Mountain AVA and Mount Veeder AVA are located on valley sides that lie above the fog layers. Both are cooled by their altitude.
West facing vineyards like Howell Mountain get full exposure to hot afternoon sun and are warmer than the east facing vineyards of Mount Veeder. Mount Howell and other west facing vineyards have fuller bodied and higher alcohol wines.
Overall the valley side wines are:
-Greater levels of tannins
-less richness on the palate, than the valley floor
Cabernet Sauv is principal grape grown, but also Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cab Franc depending on the site. Chardonnay is main white and has more acidity than the valley floor
Where is Sonoma County and what is the climate
What AVAs are located in Sonoma County?
Sonoma is west of Napa on the coast of California. It is much larger and has a variety of climates as a result.
The AVAs are
-The Russian River Valley AVA
-Dry Creek Valley AVA
-Alexander Valley AVA
-Sonoma Coast AVA
Where is the Russian River Valley AVA located?
What is the climate like?
What type of wine does it produce?
The Russian River Valley AVA is located in Sonoma County.
Due to the Petaluma gap (a gap in the coastal mountain ranges) the climate in Russian River is much cooler and foggier.
This area is best known for its high quality & elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
Also sparkling wines from these same varieties.
Where is the Dry Creek Valley AVA located?
What is the climate like?
What type of wine does it produce?
Dry Creek Valley is north of the Russian River Valley and is perceptibly warmer.
It is planted densely both on hillside and the floor.
On the hillsides, above the fog layer are home to high quality old vine Zinfandels.
On the valley floor is better suited Sauvignon Blanc
Syrah, Grenache and Cab Sauv are popular here
Where is the Alexander Valley AVA located?
What is the climate like?
What type of wine does it produce?
Alexander Valley is northeast of Dry Creek Valley
It is warmer than Dry Creek Valley
It produces fleshier, more full-bodied wines than teh rest of Sonoma County.
It has built a reputation for:
-Soft-textured, full boded Cabernet Sauvignons
Where is the Sonoma Coast AVA located?
What is the climate like?
What type of wine does it produce?
Sonoma Coast AVA is located to the west of Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys
Climate has a greater influence from the cold Pacific Ocean.
Vineyards are often planted on south facing slopes to help maximize ripening.
This region produces high quality Chardonnays but is also known for old vine Zinfandels.
Where is Mendocino County, CA located?
What is the climate?
What types of wines does it produce?
Mendocino County is located to the north of Sonoma County and has very diverse climates.
Within Mendocino County is Anderson Valley AVA which is very cool and produces aromatic Riesling and Gewurtzramminer varietals
Mendocino AVA at large, however, experiences much warmer and direr conditions protected by coastal hills rising up 900 meters.
Wines are full bodied with soft tannins and often made from Cab Sauv, Zinfandel, and Syrah
What wine is produced in the Central Coast’s Santa Cruz Mountains AVA?
A diverse region, includes hillside locations with infertile soil
Moderate climate
Produces elegant Cab Sauvs and high-quality PInot Noirs and Chardonnays
What wine is produced in the Central Coast’s Monterey AVA?
-Strongly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are heavily planted hre closer to the coast where there are strong cool winds on a daily basis
Further along the valley in less cool areas, Merlot, Cab Sauv, and Syrah are grown
Where is Paso Robles AVA located?
What styles of wine is it famous for?
What is the climate ?
Paso Robles is located in Central Coast, in San Luis Obispo County
Mountains run west to east, encouraging flow of cool winds.
The east tends to experience hot, sunny weather and has deep fertile soils producing fruity wines for high volume brands .
The west which is cooler does Zinfandel and Rhone varieties
Where is Santa Maria Valley AVA located?
What styles of wine is it famous for?
What is the climate ?
Located to the south in Santa Barbara county it is cooler, and can grow high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
low-lying areas fog can cover the vineyards during the day
concentrated fruit flavors balanced by high acidity
What is the climate and type of wine produced in the Central Valley of California
The climate in Central Valley is hot and dry -irrigation widely practiced
HIgh-volume, inexpensive brands -Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chardonnay (rubired and ruby cab were created here)
Where is Lodi located and what is it known for?
Located in the Central Valley but has cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay (east of Sacramento Delta)
Known for old vine and the best Zinfandels
