North America Flashcards
(24 cards)
California - Sonoma County
Russian River Valley AVA - cool, foggy climate from Petaluma gap
High quality, elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Both dry and sparkling wines
Dry Creek Valley AVA - warmer, densely planted
Above fog layer, high quality old vine Zinfandels
Valley floor best for Sauv Blanc
Alexander Valley AVA - much warmer
Cabernet Sauvignon is full-body, soft textured
Sonoma Coast AVA
West to the coast – cooler mostly planted on South Slopes
Quality Chardonnay and some old vine Zinfandel
California - Monterey AVA, Central Coast
Cold Pacific winds blow through the Salinas valley
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir close to the coast
Further along the valley winds impacts less, warmer
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA - western slopes of Salinas Valley
High quality Chardonnay - citrus, tropical fruits, balanced acid
California - Central Valley
Vast area w Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys
Hot and dry with irrigation heavily used
New varieties: Rubired and Ruby Cabernet
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chardonnay
Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Barbera
LODI AVA - between the 2 valleys, cooling Delta Breeze
Most varieties grown, known for old high quality ZINFANDEL
Canada - British Columbia
Five DVAs - Most important is Okanogan Valley
Rain shadow of two ranges = low rainfall and semi-desert
Long days in growing season due to latitude
Large glacial lakes provide a lake effect
White grapes in the north and Reds in the south
Similar to NIAGARA varietals and wines
California - Napa County, Napa Valley AVA
General
In valley with Mayacamas Mtns on west, Vaca Mtns on east
Runs North-to-South about 50 km of the most expensive and prestigious vineyards, highly sub-divided
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Zinfandel
Chardonnay is the primary white
California, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
Central Coast
Mountains run East-to-West encouraging cooling airflow inland
PASO ROBLES AVA - Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah
East sunny and hot w fertile soils = fruity, high-volume brands
West cooled by marine air = premium Zinfandel and Rhones
SANTA MARIA VALLEY AVA - exposed and significantly cooler
Fog cools low areas: premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Santa Ynez Valley – warmer, but Santa Rita Hills is cool like Santa Maria Valley
Oregon - Willamette Valley AVA
West of Cascade Mountains, south of Portland
Moderate climate w cool breezes from Pacific Ocean
Dry w long, sunny days and cool nights
Pinot Noir
Ripe red fruit, hint of cinnamon, high acid
Pinot Gris – fruity, dry style
California Chardonnay
Most widely planted grape, wide variety of styles
Central valley – fruity, low-to-med acid, toasty oak (chips, staves)
Past Dominant Premium Style
Full body, high alc, low acid, obvious oak, hazelnut, peach, banana
Some low-oak Chardonnay being made now
Los Carneros and Russian River Valley
Canadian Wine Laws
Continental through all wine regions, high latitude impacts
VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) used by Ontario and BC
Provinces broken into DVAs – Designated Viticultural Areas
All VQA wines
Must use 100% grapes from that province
Must be from 100% vinifera or a few selected hybrids
California Zinfandel
Ripens unevenly, with some raisins and under-ripe grapes together
High ripeness can result in high alcohol and residual sugar
Red and black fruits, dried berry, licorice, some herbaceous
Large volumes of White Zinfandel made as well
Oregon - Southern Oregon AVA
Includes Umpqua Valley AVA and Rogue Valley AVA
Warmer but still cool areas
Wide range of styles and varietals
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
Syrah
California - Mendocino County
Anderson Valley AVA - very cool
Aromatic Gewurztraminer and sparkling wines
Mendocino AVA - warmer, drier, larger
Protected by coastal hills rising up to 900m
Fuller bodied, soft tannin wines
Cab Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syarah
New York State
Dominated by winter-hardy hybrids (mostly juice and jellies)
Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
Finger Lakes AVA
Lakes store heat into NOV extending growing season
Known for Riesling
Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Chardonnay and some hybrids
Some individual lakes have their own AVAs
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Most widely planted black grape
Full bodied, ripe cassis, spice from new oak
Some in less-rich styles with black currant
California - Red Grapes
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ZINFANDEL
MERLOT
PINOT NOIR
SYRAH
Washington State
Includes YAKIMA VALLEY AVA and WALLA WALLA VALLEY AVA
Rain shadow of the Cascades, requires irrigation
Long days, cool nights, and consistent temperatures
Winter freeze can reduce crop by over 50%
Merlot - plummy, full-bodied
Cabernet Sauvignon - elegant and age-worthy
Chardonnay - fruity, often with toasty oak
Riesling – often in dry style with stone fruit
California Merlot
Generally approachable wines, soft tannin and black fruit
Central Valley produces most as simple inexpensive wines
Better quality from Central and North Coast
Deep color, soft tannins, full body, high alc, blackberry, plum
California Climate
Extends some 1100 miles N-S but latitude plays a very small role
Ocean currents crucial, with mountain shield effects secondary
Coastal areas fog cools early part of the day, can reach far inland
Areas with mountain protection (Central Valley) climate is HOT
Lack of rain in growing season
Drought concern but most use drip irrigation
Long ‘hangtime’ results in very ripe grapes
California Pinot Noir
Premium wines from
Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Santa Maria
Styles range significantly
Light color, gamey, vegetal, cherry, strawberry, oak spice
California - Napa County, Napa Valley AVA
Mountain AVAs
Vineyards on valley hillsides above fog layer cooled by altitude
West facing HOT vineyards
Howell Mountain AVA and Atlas Peak AVA
Fuller bodied wines with higher alcohol
East facing cooler vineyards
Diamond Mountain District AVA, Spring Mountain District AVA, Mount Veeder AVA
California Sauvignon Blanc
Coastal regions give high acid and ripe citrus
Central valley gives affordable wines, simple wines
Fume blanc is an oaked style
Has been use for unoaked wines
California - Napa County, Napa Valley AVA
Valley floor AVAs
SOUTH VALLEY – Los Carneros AVA cooled by San Pablo Bay
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, still and sparkling wines
CENTRAL: warmer Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford
Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc
NORTH: warmest Saint Helena AVA, Calistoga AVA
Some cooling from Chalk Hill Gap at night
Cab Sauv w/ some Zinfandel and Syrah
California - Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Central Coast
Diverse region with moderate climate
Many hillsides with infertile soils
Elegant Cabernet Sauvignon
High quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Canada - Ontario
3 DVAs w/ Niagara Penninsula most important
Strong lake effects from Lk Ontario
Extends growing season, delays budburst
Riesling - makes the best ICEWINE because of acidity
Vidal – hardy hybrid also for ICEWINE (bland still wine)
Chardonnay - often dry with pure fruit and restrained oak
Pinot Noir - is the most noted
Some Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
