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WSET 3 > North America > Flashcards

North America Flashcards

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1
Q

California - Sonoma County

A

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

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2
Q

California - Monterey AVA, Central Coast

A

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

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3
Q

California - Central Valley

A

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

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4
Q

Canada - British Columbia

A

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

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5
Q

California - Napa County, Napa Valley AVA

General

A

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

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6
Q

California, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties

Central Coast

A

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

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7
Q

Oregon - Willamette Valley AVA

A

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

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8
Q

California Chardonnay

A

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

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9
Q

Canadian Wine Laws

A

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

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10
Q

California Zinfandel

A

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

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11
Q

Oregon - Southern Oregon AVA

A

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

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12
Q

California - Mendocino County

A

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

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13
Q

New York State

A

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

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14
Q

California Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Most widely planted black grape

Full bodied, ripe cassis, spice from new oak

Some in less-rich styles with black currant

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15
Q

California - Red Grapes

A

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

ZINFANDEL

MERLOT

PINOT NOIR

SYRAH

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16
Q

Washington State

A

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

17
Q

California Merlot

A

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

18
Q

California Climate

A

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

19
Q

California Pinot Noir

A

Premium wines from

Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Santa Maria

Styles range significantly

Light color, gamey, vegetal, cherry, strawberry, oak spice

20
Q

California - Napa County, Napa Valley AVA

Mountain AVAs

A

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

21
Q

California Sauvignon Blanc

A

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

22
Q

California - Napa County, Napa Valley AVA

Valley floor AVAs

A

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

23
Q

California - Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Central Coast

A

Diverse region with moderate climate

Many hillsides with infertile soils

Elegant Cabernet Sauvignon

High quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

24
Q

Canada - Ontario

A

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

WSET 3 (23 decks)

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