North America - United States - California - North Coast

Question 1

Where’s the wine country on the California North Coast? Say it and point to it on a map.

Answer 1

Coastal counties north of the San Pablo Bay.

Question 2

Define appellation. Are there any in Cali?

Answer 2

Lake County

Mendocino County: Anderson Valley AVA

Sonoma County: Carneros AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, Alexander Valley AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA

Napa County: Carneros AVA, Stags Leap District AVA, Oakville AVA, Rutherford AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, Mount Veeder AVA, Calistoga AVA, Yountville AVA

Question 3

Physical features of California north coast?

Answer 3

Sonoma Mountain Range, Mayacamas Mountain Range, San Pablo Bay, Vaca Mountain Range, Napa River, Petaluma Wind Gap.

North Napa is warmer; mountainous regions have lower yields and bigger diurnal shifts.

Question 3

Soil type in North Coast California?

Answer 3

Very diverse soils throughout.

Question 3

Match AVAs to counties. Know geographical locations in relation to each other.

Question 4

The California North Coast climate is:

Answer 4

Moderate to warm depending on proximity to the Pacific Ocean or San Pablo Bay.

Question 5

Winemaking info?

Answer 5

Often extensive use of new French and sometimes American oak barrels for both red and white wines. Malolactic fermentation often employed when making white wines, especially Chardonnay. Sparkling wines are produced in cooler areas such as Carneros and Anderson Valley.

Sparkling wine is commonly traditional method.

Question 6

Name the white grape varieties of California North Coast

Answer 6

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

Question 7

Match the white grape varieties to the major AVAs of the California North Coast.

Question 8

Label terms to be aware of?

Answer 8

Estate Bottled, Meritage (trademark only), Claret

Question 9

List the wine law percentages of the California North Coast

Answer 9

75% minimum grape variety
85% minimum for AVA
95% minimum for vintage
95% minimum for single vineyard

100% for Estate Bottling; must be in the same county.

Question 10

Name the red grape varieties of California North Coast

Answer 10

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah

Question 11

Match the red grape varieties to the major AVAs of the California North Coast.

Question 12

What does reserve mean?

Answer 12

Reserve has no legal meaning.

Question 13

Style of wine in California North Coast?

Answer 13

American vs. French oak flavor differences.

Question 14

Name iconic wines and producers

Answer 14

e.g., Martha’s Vineyard with Heitz.

Spottswoode, Far Niente, Groth, Cakebread, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Silver Oak, Chappellet, Caymus, Etude, Iron Horse, Domaine Carneros, Roederer Estate, Quintessa, Merryvale, Larkmead, William Selyem, Kistler

Opus One, Robert Mondavi, Beringer

Question 15

What are the vintage qualities from the past 5 years?

Question 16

Recount the history of North Coast California wine.

Answer 16

Agoston Haraszthy, Robert Mondavi, André Tchelistcheff, Paris Tasting of 1976.

Warren Winiarski, Charles Krug.

Question 17

Service of Beverage information?

Answer 17

Young Cabernet Sauvignon often benefits from decanting. Old Cabernet Sauvignon needs decanting for sediment.

Question 18

Food and beverage pairings?

Answer 18

Match full-bodied wines with food richness and intensity.