N. America Flashcards
What is the climate of the US?
- Located almost entirely between the 30th and 50th parallels of latitude
- Temperate
What are the top regions in the US?
- California
- Oregon
- Washington
Where does the US rank in world wine production?
4th
If an American wine is labeled by grape variety, how much of the listed varietal must it contain?
75%
What is Oregon’s minimum for single varietals listed on wineries?
90%
For each of the following origins listed on the label, how much of the grapes in the wine need to be from that area?
- US/American
- Any state (except CA or WA)
- California or Washington
- County
- AVA
- US/American
- 100%
- Any state (except CA or WA)
- 75%
- California or Washington
- 100%
- County
- 75%
- AVA
- 85%
Top white grapes in California
- Chardonnay
- Sauv Blanc
Top red grapes in California
- Cab Sauv
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
- Zinfandel
Top Regions in CA
- Sierra Foothills AVA
- Central Coast AVA
- North Coast AVA
- Napa Valley AVA
- Sonoma County
What are the characteristics of Chardonnay from California?
- Riper Grapes
- Pineapple
- Pear
- Apple
- Barrel fermentation, heavy oak aging, malolactic fermentation, sur lie aging
- Rich
- Toasted Oak
- Buttery
What are the Characteristics of Sauv Blanc/Fume Blanc from CA?
- Tropical fruit (b/c of ripeness)
- Grapefruit
- Only hints of herbaceousness
What are the characteristics of Cab Sauv from CA?
- Rich
- Dense
- Tannic
- Ripe Berry
- Aged = Earth + Spice
What does the term “Meritage” mean?
- wine made from only classic Bordeaux varietals
What are characteristics of Merlot from CA?
- Medium bodied
- Berry
Characteristics of Pinot Noir from CA
- Fruit forward
- Richer & Softer than Oregon or Burgundy
What are the wine regions in the North Coast AVA?
- Napa County
- Sonoma County
- Mendocino County
- Lake County
- Marin County
- Solano County
What is the major terroir implications of Napa Valley?
- East: Mayacamas
- West: Vaca Mtns.
- South: San Pablo Bay
Name three Napa Valley AVAs
Centeral AVAs on the Valley Floor
- Carneros AVA
- Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA
- Oakville AVA
- Rutherford AVA
- Stags Leap District AVA
- Saint Helena AVA
- Wild Horse Valley AVA
- Yountville AVA
Sierra Foothills AVA
- location
- main grape
- Zinfandel
- East of the large Central Valley
Central Coast AVA
- terroir
- grape
- tempering effects of ocean
- Cool, foggy wine regions
- Top quality Pinot Noir (Sideways)
Why does Oregon have a cool, moist climate?
- Cold, moist weather blow in from Pacific
- Air mass forced up the Cascades (more cool air pushes in)
- Faining in altitude, air mass becomes colder and heavier
- Air mass breaks up and dry warmer conditions are found in the rain shadow of the Cascades
Willamette Valley AVA
- terroir
- climate
- grapes
- terroir: Willamette River
- climate: Maritime from Pacific (coastal mountain range protects from harsh weather)
- grapes: Pinot Noir, Chard, Pinot Gris, Ries
What is the climate in Washington?
- Temperate and dry
- Rain-shadow effect of the Cascade Mtns
What is the top region in WA?
Columbia Valley
