USA - California Flashcards
On what is based United states GI system ?
on the American Viticultural Area (AVA)
What is an AVA ?
AVAs vary in size
Can include land in more than on state an can overlap
Federal laws specify the minimum percentage of grapes that must come from a single grape variety to allow these terms to appear on the label
Many states have their own laws that may differ
Not all wines qualify for AVA. The name of the state can appear on the label
Law is more tolenrent for labelling with vintage and goegraphical origin than with AVA status
What is the main climatic influence on California’s wine growing regions?
The California Ocean Current
it’s an extremely cold Pacific Ocean current which moves down from British Columbia and directly affects the coast of California.
Most California vineyards are protected from cold ocean currents by what geological feature?
Mountains - which run up most of the state’s coastline.
Without the mountains, California’s northern coast would be dramatically cooler due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The mountains help insulate California.
What are the beneficial effects of fog created by California’s cold ocean currents?
The cold evening air and morning fogs that are drawn in from the ocean help to lower evening temperatures and retain acidity in the grapes.
Additionally, it takes longer for the sun to burn off the fog in the morning which extends the cooling effect well into late morning or afternoon.
This effect is so extreme that some grapes can struggle to fully ripen
How can the cooling effect reach inland vineyard ?
By the valleys that lie at right angles to the ocean, which act as funnuels for the cold air
Such as Montery and Santa Barbara Counties
What is the climate when there is no exposure ot the ocean such as in Central Valley ?
Hot Climate
What climatic factor links nearly all of California’s grape growing regions?
Low rainfall during the ripening season.
How do many California grape growers deal with the lack of rain during the ripening season?
Due to the shortage of rain in California, many grape growers use drip irrigation to make sure their vines have water during the growing season.
What is the beneficial impact of California’s low rainfall during the ripening season?
Lack of rain means growers can leave their grapes on the vine late into the season, resulting in super-ripe grapes with intense flavors and elevated sugar levels.
For fresh style, growers are now picking slightly early
What is the most planted red/black grape in California?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the most widely planted grape variety of either color in California?
Chardonnay
Despite its European origin, what grape is widely considered to be a uniquely Californian grape?
Zinfandel
What are the black grapes varieties grown in California ?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Zinfandel
merlot
Pinot Noir
Syrah
What are the white grapes varieties grown in California ?
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Describe the wine profile of California Cabernet Sauvignon
Extremly expressive, rivals the quality of the best produced anywhere
Full-bodied, concentrated ripe cassis flavours
Spice aromas from new oak barrels
Some make a less rich style with fresher flavours
What unique characteristic of Zinfandel allows it to be produced in several kinds of styles throughout California?
Zinfandel has the propensity of ripening unevenly, meaning that harvested bunches almost always include both unripe and raisinated grapes (which produces both underripe and overripe flavors in the wine).
Describe the wine profile of California Zinfandel
Concentrated full bodeid red wines, with high alcohol and residual sugar from raisined grapes
Herbeceaous notes from underripe grapes
Red and blakc fruits, dried berries, liquorice,
What is White Zinfandel made from?
What is its general profile?
Early-harvested Zinfandel grapes
Berry-fruity
Pale pink
Medium-sweet
Low alcohol
Which area in California has the largest plantings of Merlot?
Are these Merlots generally seen as higher quality or lesser quality than those from Napa, Sonoma or Monterey?
San Joaquin Valley in the Central Valley.
Merlots from San Joaquin Valley are generally seen as simple wines of lesser quality than those from Napa, Sonoma, or Monterey.
Merlots from San Joaquin are generally more affordable and meant for everyday consumption.
Which areas in California have reputations for making distinctive Merlot with character?
The cooler regions of California, such as Monterey County and parts of California’s North Coast, and the warmer regions of Napa and Sonoma.
Merlot from these regions will be soft, lush, and velvety, blackberry and plum
Which regions of California are known for producing premium Pinot Noir?
Best comes from moderate regions such as
Russian River Valley AVA
Los Carneros AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
What are the characteristics of Premium California Pinot noir?
light in colour with classic gamey and vegetal notes
rich layers of ripe red fruit flavours (red cherry, strawberry) and notes of vailly from oak
What are the characteristics of California Syrahr?
Full bodied in rich style or
leaner more peppery styles
Where can you find high volumes fruity Chardonnay wine with oak from chips in California ?
Central valley
What is the wine profile of a premium California Chardonnay?
In the past : full-bodied, high alcohol, low acidity, oak, hazelnut and butter, and tropical flavours
Today,
Wide variety including restrained examples
Where can you find premium Chardonnay of cooler regions in California ?
Lors Carneros and Russian River Valley