USA and Canada Flashcards
The US GI system is based on what ?
American Viticultural Area ( AVA )
Can AVAs overlap ?. If so give and example
Yes. Santa Rita Hills is largely within the larger Santa Ynes Valley AVA
What might appear on the label if a wine does not qualify for AVA status
State or County name - eg Napa County
What makes CA able to produce a diverse array of wines
Warnth, bright sunlight, cooling influences of the Ocean and elevation
Given CA spans 1100 km from N to S what plays the most important role in defining it’s climate
The cool Pacific Ocean currents
Where are the Pacific Ocean effects felt less in CA
In mountainous regions North of San Francisco where the Mts shield much of the state
Describe the cooling effect of the Ocean on some of the vineyards of CA
Evening fogs and cool air are drawing in lowering night time temps. The time taken for the sun to burn off this fog in the morning means the cooling effect extends well into the day
Give an example of where are there gaps in the mountains with valleys at right angles to the Ocean. What is the climatic effect of these
The valleys act as a cool air funnel. Monterrey and Santa Barbara counties
Apart from sun and warmth what else do all CA wine regions have in common
Low rainfall during ripening season
What is widely practised in CA due to the low rainfall in autumn
Drip irrigation
CA has generally been known for super ripe fruit but what is the current trend
Trend is away from ripeness and towards freshness hence growers are picking earlier
What is the most widely planted black grape in CA. Describe the wines made from it
Cabernet Sauvignon. Immensely concentrated full bodied wines with ripe cassis flavors and spice from new oak barrels. Some winemakers are trending towards a less rich style with fresher blackcurrant flavors
Why are barrels stored on racks rather than stacked on the cellar floor
To make them easier to select and move
Describe how the ripening characteristics of Zinfandel affect flavors in the wine
Zinfandel ripens unevenly meaning that within the same bunch there can be under ripe and raisined grapes. The raisined grapes give the wine ripe fruit flavors, full body and high alcohol. The under ripe grapes can lend herbaceous qualities as well as red fruit. It is not uncommon for Zins to display both black and red fruits
What is Rose Zinfandel know as - what is its profile
White Zinfandel. Med sweet, fruity, low alcohol, pale in color
Where in CA are the largest plantings of Merlot - describe a typical one
In the San Joaquin Valley. Simple wines, high alcohol, soft tannins with concentrated black fruit
Where are higher quality Merlots made - describe one
Cooler sites in Sonoma and Napa county as well as Monterrey. Soft velvety tannins, high alcohol, full body and concentrated varietal fruits like black berry and plum
Where is premium Pinot produced in CA. Describe the range in style
Los Carneros, Russian River Valley and Santa Maria Valley. Style varies according to vineyard site and can range from light and fruity with gamey and vegetal notes. Most show rich layers of ripe red fruit such as strawberry and cherry with sweet spice notes from new oak
Where is Syrah planted in CA. What style of wines are typically made
Across the state. Typically full bodied rich style thouhg some producers also making leaner more peppery style
What is the single most planted grape in CA. What is the profile of traditional premium CA wine made from this grape
Chardonnay. Full bodied, high alcohol, low acid, deeply colored. Oak flavors, hazlenut, toast and butter with peach and banana flavors
Where are more restrained Chardonnays with less oak being produced
Cooler sites in Russian River Valley and Los Carneros
Where do the best CA SBs come from….what is their profile Where do cheaper every day drinkers come from
The best come from the coastal regions….high acidand ripe citrus flavors. Daily drinkers from Central Valley
What is the term used to describe oaked CA SB ( but can also be used to describe unoaked )
Fume Blanc
Where is the majority of CA wine production. Where is premium wine production
The fertile Central Valley. Along the coast
How many regions are there in CA for wine growing. What are the 3 major ones
5.
Central Valley, Central Coast, North Coast
Where is North Coast. What climatic factors determine grape plantings
Vineyards to the N of San Francisco Bay. Cooling effect of the Pacific current, fogs and cooling breezes flow through the valleys and gaps in the coastal ranges
What mountain range separates Napa and Sonoma. What Mountain range separates Napa from the Northern part of the Central Valley
Mayacamus Mountains to the west
Vaca Mountains to the east
How big is Napa
5km across and 50km N to S
Where are the vineyards located in Napa
On the valley floor and the sides
What are the most significant cooling factors in Napa
Morning fogs and afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay
What is the most Southerly AVA in Napa that extends into Sonoma County. What wines is it known for
Los Carneros AVA. Known for premium Pinot and Chardonnay which are also used to make sparlking traditional method wines
Which Napa regions are known for premium Cabernet. Which other black grapes is planted in all 4. Which is considered to produce the most powerful Cabernets . What white grapes are also present
Rutherford, Yountville, Stags Leap, Oakville
Merlot
Rutherford - it has the least influence from the ocean and is the warmest
Chardonnay and SB
Where are some of the most concntrated full bodied wines in the Napa Valley
St Helena and Calistoga
What provides some cooling relief to the hotter regions around St Helena and Calistoga. What other black grapes are present around this area
The Chalk Hill Gap in the Mayacamus Mts
Zinfandel and Syrah
Give examples of AVAs on the West and East facing sides of the Napa Valley. How do they compare
West Facing - Howell Mtn, Atlas Peak get full afternoon sun. Fuller bodied wines with high alcohol.
East Facing - Diamond Mtn, Mount Veeder, Spring Mtn
What can be said of the wines from the Valley walls compared to the Valley floor
Reds have more tannin and with less luscious mouthfeel
Whites ( Chardonnay ) have more acidity
Apart from Cabernet what other black grapes appear in the vineyards of the Napa valley sides
Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Which is the larger of Napa and Sonoma
Sonoma
What is the name for the break in the Coastal ranges in Sonoma. Which AVA is considerably cooler because of this. What wines is it known for
Petaluna Gap. Russian River Valley
High quality Pinot and Chardonnay
What AVA is to the North of RRV. What wines is it known for
Dry Creek Valley AVA ( warmer )
Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, Rhone varieties, Cabernet
How does the climate of Alexander Valley compare to RRV. What wines is it known for
Warmer. Known for soft textured full bodied Cabernet. Also known for other international varieties
The vineyards of Sonoma Coast generally face which direction - why
Sonoma Coast is heavily influenced by the Pacific so it’s vineyards are planted facing south to aid ripening
What region is in the South of Sonoma and parallel to Napa. What wine is it known for
Sonoma Valley. Known for high quality Chardonnay but also old vine Zin
What region is to the North of Sonoma. What is the name of the AVA there known for producing prem white wines from Gewurz and Riesling. How is it able to do this
Mendocino County
Anderson Valley AVA is very cool
How does the climate of Mendocino AVA compare to Anderson Valley, why ?. What wines is it known for
Much warmer. It is protected by 900 m coastal hills
Soft full bodied Syrah, Cabernet and Zin
What AVA is in the North of the Central Coast region. What wines is it known for
Santa Cruz Mts AVA
Moderate climate produces some of CAs most elegant Cabernet as well as high quality Pinot and Chardonnay
Which AVA in the Central Coast follows the path of the Salinas Valley. What wine is it known for
Monterrey AVA
Chardonnay and Pinot along the coast
Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah further inland
Give an example of an AVA within Monterrey county on the slopes of the Salinas Valley. What wines is it known for
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Known for Chardonnay with balanced acidity and citrus / tropical fruit
What 2 counties are found in the South of Central Coast
What assists in funneling cool ocean air across the region
San Louis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. The mountains run west - east not north south
Name an AVA in San Louis Obispo county. What wines is it known for
Paso Robles AVA. Fruity full bodied wines from the hotter eastern part. High quality zin and Rhone varietals from the cooler western part
Name 3 AVA in Santa Barbara County. What wines are they known for
Santa Maria Valley AVA. KNown for Pinot and Chardonnay as it is exposed to the coast and much cooler
Santa Ynes valley is warmer and known for Syrah and Bordeaux varieties
Santa Rita Hills is known for Pinot and Chardonnay
What 2 valleys does the Central Valley encompass. What wines is it known for
Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Bulk wine production
What is the climate of Central Valley. What 2 grapes were specifically bred to make the most of this
Hot & dry. Rubired and Ruby Cabernet
What grapes are grown in Central Valley
Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Columbard, Chennin Blanc, Barbera
What AVA is known for the best and oldest Zin vines in CA. Where is it
Lodi AVA in the Central Valley
Which mountain range separates 2 wine producing states in the NW of the US
Cascasde Mountains separates Oregon to the west and Washington to the east
What AVA is in the North of Oregon. What is it’s climate and what wines is it known for
Willemette Valley AVA. Moderate climate with cooling sea breezes. Growing season mostly dry with long sunny days and cool nights. Known for Pinot with ripe red fruit, high acid and a hint of cinammon spice. Pinot Gris is also made in a fruity dry style
Among others what 2 AVAs are encompassed by the larger Southern Oregon AVA. What is it’s climate compared to Northern Oregon. What grapes are grown there
Umpqua Valley AVA and Rogue Valley AVA
Warmer than N Oregon but does have cooler areas. Mixed climate varietals are grown such as Merlot, Cabernet, Pinot Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Syrah
In which AVA are the majority of Washington state’s vineyards planted
Columbia Valley AVA
What 2 smaller AVAs are located within Columbia Valley
Walla Walla AVA and Yakima Valley AVA
Why is irrigation necessary in the Columbia Valley
It is in the rain shadow of the cascade mountains
Describe the growing season weather conditions
Long sunny days, cool nights
what is the biggest risk to vines in Columbia Valley
Winter freeze
what wines is Columbia Valley known for
Plumy full bodied Merlot, ageworthy Cabernet, full bdied intense Syrah, chardonnay, riesling in a dry style with ripe stone fruit flavors
What grapes are vinified in New York State
Local, hybrid varietals as well as Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot and Cabernet
What is the most important AVA in New York for wine production
Finger Lakes AVA
What extends the growing season in Finger Lakes
The deep glacial lakes that store heat well into Nov
What wines is Finger Lakes known for
Perfumed Riesling, Pinot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay
Where are Canada’s most important wine regions.
Near Ontario and BC
What is the climate of Canada’s wine regions…what is it mitigated by
Continental. Mitigated by large bodies of water
How many DVAs does Ontario have. Which is the most important
3
Niagara Peninsula on the SW corner of Lake Ontario
What is the name of Canad’s appellation system
Vintners Quality Alliance ( VQA )
What are the provinces of Ontario and BC broken down into under the Canadian appellation system
DVAs Designated Viticultural Areas which are further broken down into regional appellations and sub appellations
What must VQA wines comprise
100% vitis vinifera grapes from that province
What effect does Lake Ontario have on grape vines
Lake heats up and cools down slower than the surrounding land hence this extends the growing season as well as delaying bud break avoiding spring frosts
What wines is Niagara Peninsula known for
Fresh, fruity dry and off dry Riesling, Vidal ( icewine), Riesling ( icewine), dry low oak Chardonnay, Pinot, Cab Franc, Cabernet
How many DVAs does BC have. Which is the most important
5
Okanagan Valley
What is unusual about the climate of Okanagan Valley
Located between 2 mountain regions it experiences very low rainfall meaning almost desert conditions exist
What assists grape ripening in Okanagan Valley
Very long summer days due to its northern latitude. Also large glacial lakes moderate temp
What are the most widely planted grapes in BC
Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What grapes are used to produce icewine in BC
Vidal and Riesling
