USA and Canada Flashcards
What are Geographic Indications in the US?
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)
Between what latitudes are located most vineyards of California?
Between 40°N and 36°N
What is the single most influential factor on the climate of California?
The exceptionally cold Californian Ocean Current:
Cool air & fog drastically lower vineyard temperatures
What are other factors affecting climate in California?
- 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
What are 5 important black grapes in California?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Zinfandel (reds and rosés)
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Syrah
What are the 2 most planted white grapes in California?
Chardonnay (the most planted of either color for anything from inexpensive to super premium)
Sauvignon Blanc (from the coastal regions)
What is referred as the NORTH COAST?
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
The Napa Valley runs south to north for nearly 50km, what are the two mountains on each side of the valley?
-The Vaca Mountains to the east (facing west)
-The Mayacamas Mountains to the west (facing east)
What are the cooling influences in the Napa Valley?
Morning fogs and afternoon breezes entering through the San Pablo Bay.
What AVA spanning over both Napa and Sonoma receives the most cooling influence and what grapes are grown there?
Los Carneros AVA
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, some of which is made in sparkling.
What are 3 valley floor AVA producing Mostly Cabernet, Merlot and sometimes Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc?
Stags Leap District
Oakville
Rutherford
What are 2 of the warmest AVA located in the north of the Napa Valley producing the most concentrated wines?
Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA
What are mountain AVAs in the Napa Valley?
West-facing (warmer):
Howell Mountain & Atlas Peak (Vaca)
East-facing (cooler):
Diamond Mountain District, Mont Veeder (Mayacamas)
Which AVA within Sonoma County receives coastal cooling influence through the Petaluma Gap in the mountains?
Russian River Valley (cool foggy conditions)
Ideal for high quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnays & Sparkling.
What Sonoma County AVA, warmer that Russian River makes Old Vine Zinfandel of repute?
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Besides, Zin, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhône varieties and Cabernet are also grown
Which warmer AVA of Sonoma County is famous for its soft textured and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon?
Alexander Valley AVA
Which area of the North Coast is source of aromatic grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and sparkling?
Anderson Valley AVA within Mendocino County
warmer areas in altitude grow Zinfandel, Cabernet and Syrah.
Which area of the North Coast is source of aromatic grapes such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and sparkling?
Anderson Valley AVA within Mendocino County
warmer areas in altitude grow Zinfandel, Cabernet and Syrah.
What are 4 notable AVA of the CENTRAL COAST?
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)
Which vast area encompassing the valleys of Sacramento & San Joaquin produce the vast majority of California Wines?
The Central Valley
The hot and dry climate demands irrigation
Grapes such as Rubired & Ruby Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Colombard, Chenin & Barbera
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?
Lodi
What is the latitude of Willamette Valley (Oregon) and what is its climate and moderating influences?
45°N and up
The climate is moderate.
Cool breezes from the Pacific filter through the Cascade Mountains
What is the most planted grape in the Willamette Valley?
Pinot Noir, with ripe flavors + scents of cinnamon and high acidity. Pinot Gris is also grown.
What are some AVAs in southern Oregon and what do they produce?
Umpqua Valley & Rogue Valley
Warmer with cooling influences from the Pacific.
Merlot, Cabernet, PN, Ch, Pinot Gris, Syrah are grown
Where are located most vineyards of Washington State?
46°N and up, EAST of the Cascade Mountains in the
Columbia Valley.
What are some small AVA of repute in Washington State and what do they produce?
Yakima Valley AVA & Walla Walla AVA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling.
What is the latitude of the Finger Lakes AVA in NEW YORK STATE and what do they produce?
43°N
Mostly Riesling, with PN, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and American varieties and hybrids.
What topographic feature enables viticulture in New York and around the Niagara Peninsula?
The proximity of Lake Ontario, which releases warmth long into the autumn, therefore helping with the ripening of grape.
What are 2 grapes grown in the Niagara Peninsula?
What is produced there?
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.
What major DVA (Designated Viticultural Area), located in British Columbia produces Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling or Vidal based Ice Wine?
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.
