USA and Canada

Question 1

What are Geographic Indications in the US?

Answer 1

Americal Viticulture Areas (AVA)
Federal laws covering minimum percentages of grapes that must come from a single grape variety, vintage or AVA to allow these terms to appear on labels.
(State laws may be different)

Question 2

Between what latitudes are located most vineyards of California?

Answer 2

Between 40°N and 36°N

Question 3

What is the single most influential factor on the climate of California?

Answer 3

The exceptionally cold Californian Ocean Current:
Cool air & fog drastically lower vineyard temperatures

Question 4

What are other factors affecting climate in California?

Answer 4

• Mountains shielding cool air and fog and gap in these mountains.
• Lack of rain during the ripening season, including autumn, enabling “hang-time” for extra ripeness, high sugar levels and concentration of flavors

Question 5

What are 5 important black grapes in California?

Answer 5

Cabernet Sauvignon
Zinfandel (reds and rosés)
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Syrah

Question 6

What are the 2 most planted white grapes in California?

Answer 6

Chardonnay (the most planted of either color for anything from inexpensive to super premium)
Sauvignon Blanc (from the coastal regions)

Question 7

What is referred as the NORTH COAST?

Answer 7

Vineyards to the north of San-Francisco Bay, receiving cool breezes and fogs filtering through mountain gaps in the coastal range. Includes the counties of NAPA, SONOMA & MENDOCINO

Question 8

The Napa Valley runs south to north for nearly 50km, what are the two mountains on each side of the valley?

Answer 8

-The Vaca Mountains to the east (facing west)
-The Mayacamas Mountains to the west (facing east)

Question 9

What are the cooling influences in the Napa Valley?

Answer 9

Morning fogs and afternoon breezes entering through the San Pablo Bay.

Question 10

What AVA spanning over both Napa and Sonoma receives the most cooling influence and what grapes are grown there?

Answer 10

Los Carneros AVA
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, some of which is made in sparkling.

Question 11

What are 3 valley floor AVA producing Mostly Cabernet, Merlot and sometimes Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 11

Stags Leap District
Oakville
Rutherford

Question 12

What are 2 of the warmest AVA located in the north of the Napa Valley producing the most concentrated wines?

Answer 12

Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA

Question 13

What are mountain AVAs in the Napa Valley?

Answer 13

West-facing (warmer):
Howell Mountain & Atlas Peak (Vaca)
East-facing (cooler):
Diamond Mountain District, Mont Veeder (Mayacamas)

Question 14

Which AVA within Sonoma County receives coastal cooling influence through the Petaluma Gap in the mountains?

Answer 14

Russian River Valley (cool foggy conditions)
Ideal for high quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnays & Sparkling.

Question 15

What Sonoma County AVA, warmer that Russian River makes Old Vine Zinfandel of repute?

Answer 15

Dry Creek Valley AVA
Besides, Zin, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhône varieties and Cabernet are also grown

Question 16

Which warmer AVA of Sonoma County is famous for its soft textured and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 16

Alexander Valley AVA

Question 17

Which area of the North Coast is source of aromatic grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and sparkling?

Answer 17

Anderson Valley AVA within Mendocino County
warmer areas in altitude grow Zinfandel, Cabernet and Syrah.

Question 18

Which area of the North Coast is source of aromatic grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and sparkling?

Answer 18

Anderson Valley AVA within Mendocino County
warmer areas in altitude grow Zinfandel, Cabernet and Syrah.

Question 19

What are 4 notable AVA of the CENTRAL COAST?

Answer 19

Santa Cruz Mountain AVA (Cab, Ch. PN)
Monterey AVA (PN Ch by the coast, Cab Mer Syr inland)
Paso Robles AVA (Cab, Mer Syr)
Santa Maria Valley (PN & Ch)

Question 20

Which vast area encompassing the valleys of Sacramento & San Joaquin produce the vast majority of California Wines?

Answer 20

The Central Valley
The hot and dry climate demands irrigation
Grapes such as Rubired & Ruby Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Colombard, Chenin & Barbera

Question 21

Which AVA straddles the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys in the middle of the central valley and produces some of the Oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards?

Answer 21

Lodi

Question 22

What is the latitude of Willamette Valley (Oregon) and what is its climate and moderating influences?

Answer 22

45°N and up
The climate is moderate.
Cool breezes from the Pacific filter through the Cascade Mountains

Question 23

What is the most planted grape in the Willamette Valley?

Answer 23

Pinot Noir, with ripe flavors + scents of cinnamon and high acidity. Pinot Gris is also grown.

Question 24

What are some AVAs in southern Oregon and what do they produce?

Answer 24

Umpqua Valley & Rogue Valley
Warmer with cooling influences from the Pacific.
Merlot, Cabernet, PN, Ch, Pinot Gris, Syrah are grown

Question 25

Where are located most vineyards of Washington State?

Answer 25

46°N and up, EAST of the Cascade Mountains in the
Columbia Valley.

Question 26

What are some small AVA of repute in Washington State and what do they produce?

Answer 26

Yakima Valley AVA & Walla Walla AVA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling.

Question 27

What is the latitude of the Finger Lakes AVA in NEW YORK STATE and what do they produce?

Answer 27

43°N
Mostly Riesling, with PN, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and American varieties and hybrids.

Question 28

What topographic feature enables viticulture in New York and around the Niagara Peninsula?

Answer 28

The proximity of Lake Ontario, which releases warmth long into the autumn, therefore helping with the ripening of grape.

Question 29

What are 2 grapes grown in the Niagara Peninsula?
What is produced there?

Answer 29

Riesling and Vidal (an hybrid) principally.
Ice wine, but also Chardonnays and even some black grapes such as PN, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Question 30

What major DVA (Designated Viticultural Area), located in British Columbia produces Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling or Vidal based Ice Wine?

Answer 30

The Okanagan Valley DVA
Located in the rain shadow of 2 mountains making the place very dry. The northern latitude (long days) enable photosynthesis and ripening. Some lakes do moderate temperatures.