United States- California - North Coast Flashcards
Geography of North Coast California
Coastal counties north of the San Pablo Bay
Soils of North Coast California
Very diverse soils throughout
Climate of North Coast California
Moderate to warm depending on proximity to the Pacific Ocean or San Pablo Bay.
Central Coast physical features
Sonoma Mountain Range
Mayacamas Mountain Range
San Pablo Bay
Vaca Mountain Range
Napa River
Petaluma Wind Gap
Napa Physical Features
North Napa is warmer; mountainous regions have lower yields and bigger diurnal shifts
Sparkling wine traditional type
Sparkling wines are produced in cooler areas such as Carneros and Anderson Valley
Sparkling Sparkling wine is commonly traditional method
Winemaking in north Coast
(-) 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.
Learn to match grapes to AVA
White Wine in North Coast
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wine in North Coast
Pinot Noir
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Zinfandel
Syrah
Minimum grape variety
75% grape variety
Minimum grape variety for AVA
85% minimum
Minimum grape variety for vintage
95% minimum
Minimum grape variety for Estate vintage
100% minimum, must be in the same county
Minimum grape variety for a single vineyard
95% minimum
Reserve meaning
Has no legal meaning
American vs. French oak flavor differences
American oak:
Flavor profile: Strong vanilla, coconut, sweet spice, sometimes with hints of dill.
Grain structure: Looser grain, leading to quicker flavor extraction.
Key points about French oak:
Flavor profile: Subtle vanilla, caramel, spice, toasted bread, with more complex nuances.
Grain structure: Tighter grain, resulting in a slower release of flavors.
Service of Beverage
Young Cabernet Sauvignon often benefits from decanting. Old Cabernet Sauvignon needs decanting for sediment
North Coast top vineyards for 5 years
Iconic wines and vineyards
Top producers
Opus One
Robert Mondavi
Beringer
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
Who is Robert Mondavi
-marketing strategist
-Promoted labeling wines varietally rather than generically, which became the standard for New World wines.
Who is Agoston Haraszthy
Father of California wine
he was the founder of the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma, California, and an early writer on California wine and viticulture.
Who is André Tchelistcheff
- influential Russian-born American winemaker who played a key role in shaping the modern California
-Tchelistcheff is often referred to as the “Dean of American Winemaking.” After immigrating to the U.S. in the 1930s, he became the chief winemaker for Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) in Napa Valley, where he helped elevate California wines to international acclaim, particularly through his work with Cabernet Sauvignon
-mentored many of Napa Valley’s top winemakers and helped establish California as a world-class wine region
-introduced numerous innovative techniques that are now standard in winemaking, including the use of temperature-controlled fermentation, the development of improved vineyard practices, and the promotion of aging wines in small oak barrels
What is the Paris Tasting of 1976
(-) Blind Tasting: A blind wine tasting where French and Californian wines were evaluated by a panel of top French wine experts, without knowing the origin of the wines.
(-) Surprising Outcome: Californian wines, particularly from Napa Valley, outperformed prestigious French wines in both the red and white categories, with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (red) and Chateau Montelena (white) taking top honors.
(-) Cultural Shift: The results shocked the French wine establishment and helped to establish California, and American wines in general, as serious competitors on the global stage,
Who is Charles Krug
-started Charles krug winery in 1861, oldest winery and family owned
-Pioneer in Napa Valley: Krug played a key role in the early development of Napa Valley’s wine industry, contributing to its reputation for producing world-class wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Legacy: His descendants, including the Mondavi family, have continued his legacy, and the winery remains a cornerstone of Napa Valley’s rich winemaking heritage.
