USA: California Flashcards

Question

CALI: Russian River Valley AVA | Sonoma County

Answer 1

* -middle of Sonoma County * -part of Sonoma Coast AVA * -both flat and hilly - moderate to warm * -S/W parts are the coolest and recieve wind and fog from the Petaluma Gap ( a break in the North Coast Range ) * -Fog in the eve, retreats to the ocean in the morning * -Temps reduce , leading to slower sugar accumulation and Acid / flvour compounds * Soils - rocky, sandy, clay , loam to yellow sandstone - generally free draining and low in nutrients * Plantings have increased and so has the size of the AVA to fog bound areas * **Pinot Noir and Chardonnay **- * Pinot Noir - Med plus body, Med tannins, Med plus Acid, Ripe strawberry, red cherry and vanilla spice from oak * * Chardonnay - Med-Med plus body, Med plus Acid, ripe peach and pineapple with creamy, spicy flavours, MLFC and oak * Good to outstanding, Mid to super prem priced * * eg. La Crema * * Warmer areas in the NE corner , shelted from the winds and fog, = Cab Sauv, Merlot, Zinfandel -TWo sub AVA's -Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA and Chalk Hill AVA **Green Valley AVA **- next to Petaluma Gap, gets the first fog in the afternoon and last to burn off - some of the coolest sites in North Cali Vines are on free draining soil , low nutrient sandstone = small concentrated grapes * Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - used for still and sparkling wines * High in acid and fresh flavours **Chalk Hill AVA ** - NE corner of the Russian River Valley AVA Hilly area,, blocks breeze from the ocean warmer area inland soil is white volcanic ash and planting are 500m Chardonnay, Cab Sauv, and SB

Answer 2

-runs from Mendocino in the North, along the ocean to San Pablo Bay in the S -Wide variey of climates -Petaluma Gap AVA and Fort Ross Seaview AVA Exposed to cold winds and fog Low yields Cool with limited sunshine hours ** Pinot and Chardonnay. - ** - early ripening, fresh , light bodied styles with high acid eg. Occidental Petaluma Gap AVA - open to the coast at both ends , high speed coastal winds flow - boundaries are defined by a area that maintains a perstisent wind of 12km /hour through the growing season - Strong enough to close leaf stomata , slowing respirationa and photosynthesis **PInot Noir - 75% - high acid, fresh fruit , and low alcohol ** Fort Ross Seaview AVA - NW corner Wines must be made from vineyards in the AVA above 280m - sit above the fog layer and gain longer hours of sun Coastal winds moderate Wines are riper with fresh high acid **Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah **

Answer 3

SE Sonoma County -east of the Mayacamas Mnts shleter from Pacific Ocean -South Part of the AVA is the coolest and opens to San Pablo Bay -Cold winds flow northwards - slows ripening Smaller sub AVA - Sonoma Mountain AVA and Bennet Valley AVA , Carneros AVA in the South

Answer 4

* W side of Sonoma Valley * -most vines are on E facing steep slopes in the Sonoma mountain range * -up to 730m high above the fog line = warm sun and daytime hours = ripe flavours, deep colour and high tannins * Cold air drom the mountains help retain acidity * Soils - volcaninc, free draining and low in nutrients * * **Concentrated Cab Sauv, ** * also Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, SB and SEmillon on cooler sites ( west side of the AVA )

Answer 5

* smallest AVA * surrounded by hills , warm and sheltered * cool air flows into the valley through a break in the hills * * Syrah, Merlot, SB and Chard * Also Grenache and Viognier

Answer 6

* -between San Pablo Bay * to the South and Sonoma/Napa to the North * -affectted by fog from SP Bay * 200 m - lower AVA * -Cold winds in the morning and evening , day times are warm ,sunny * -cool to moderate climate - many large companies own land in Carneros to buy in fruit or to bottle 'Carneros' - grapes add frehness and higher acid in a blend * Specialist in the area Kistler and Ramey * * * **PInot Noir - and Chardonnay ** - Wines are Medium body, medium abv, medium plus acid, fresher fruit to fuller bodied riper styles with higher abv * Good to outstanding - mid to super prem prices * * eg. Kistler and Tor * * Wines can be labelled 'Los Carneros' or 'Carneros' * -Overlaps the border of Napa and Sonoma - grapes /wine from the Sonoma side can use 'Sonoma county' - or from the Napa side ' Napa valley' - gapes from both counties must be 'Carneros'

Answer 7

-50km long by 8 km wide -18,200 ha under vine -formed by the Napa River, the Mayacamas Mnts to the WEST and the North and the Vaca Mnts to the East -valley floor and slopes on either side -protected from the cold by the Mayacamas and the warm from Central Valley by the Vaca -as the vines heat up during the day, the air rises and pulls cool air and fog from the bay **AVA's on the Valley Floor - **Cold air and fog -high diuranl range -**Carneros AVA (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) ** , Coombsville AVA and Oak Knoll AVA ( Cab Sauv -lighter and fresher ) , north of the city of Napa are the coolest, fog does not burn off and limits the warmth and sunlight Yountville AVA, Stags Leaps AVA, Oakville AVA , Rutherford AVA - arte further north on the valley floor Warmer climates with nights cooled by the wind and fog out of the bay **-Cabernet Sauv **- ripe concentrated fruit, Med plus to full bosy, high ripe tannins Rounder and fruitier with juicy blackcurrant, balckberry and plum fruit , spice, liquorice, cloves or herbs SB is the main white - ripe,juicy wines,with peach, tropical flavours and Med plus acid ** The Rutherford Bench * - most famous vineyard ****narrow stretch of vineyards on a gently sloping fan at the bottom of the Mayacamas range St.Helena AVA and Colistoga AVA are further north and warm to hot -some cooling in Calistoga from abreak in the Mayacamas Mnts -Cab Sauv is widely planted along with Merlot **AVA's on the mountain sides ** - vineyards on either side above the fog line , 800 m , recieve more sunshine - Lower diurnal range - higher tannins and acidity - WEST facing. - intense afternoon sun , warmer and higher alcohol,riper fruit - Southerly areas gain some cooling - eg. Mount Veeder AVA is the coolest - Atlas Peak AVA also cool buyt get some afternoon sun - Howell Mountain AVA is NE in the valley and is one of the warmest - intense Cab Sauv , ripe with firm tannins - Spring Mountain AVA and Diamond Mountain AVA on the NEw side tend to be cooler

Answer 8

wide variety due to Tectonic plate activity 150 mill years ago soils on the mountain are thin and poor = small concentrated grapes Soils in the middle and east Valley floor are silt, clay and formed by Napa River = high fertility and water retaining -=less structured wines Benches - deep,rocky, with moderate fertilit - grapes produce mid level intensity Many AVA's have alluvial fans and fluvial soils in their boundaries

Answer 9

Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve , 1068, gives tax beneffits to people who keep vieyards 90 % of the land in Napa is under high levels of development protection and is not under threat of construction -all viable land has been planted -legislation prevents land wit more than 30% slope from being converted to vineyard - these areas are forrested to prevent erosion - inability to expand leads to incredibly high prices of grapes / land - vines are pruned and trained to cordon with replacement spur , VSP trellising - Machines are only used on valley floors - Mountain side is hand harvested - drip irrigation is widely installed - Frost in valley floors can be problematic Napa Green - 40% of all vineyards are certified sustainable

Answer 10

* Cab Sauv 40% of total production /55% of crop value * Chardonnay most planted white * * Styles have evolved in the last few decades * 80-90's - full bodied intense wines * Late picked grapes,, extra ripe flavours, high abv's and lower acidites * High portion of new oak, vanilla, coconut and toasty flavours * * Today- trend to pick earllier , high portion of new oak is common for reds but with less time * -Napa wineries are well resourced , optical sorters are not uncommon * T-rend in concrete eggs to blend with oak treated wines * -Reds tend to be blended even if they are labelled as single varietal - small amounts of Merlot, Cab Fran, Petite Sirah added * - * Blendining acroos different vineyards is not uncommon, even different AVA's * Blending wines from fertile soils, benches, south vineyards such as Carneros AVA or with riper fruit from Northerly AVA'd * * Single vineyards eg. To Kalon in Rutherford can also be found * * Styles vary up and dpwn the valley - * but range from good to outstanding and are pre-super prem priced * * Chardonnay /SB are key white and are influenced by site * Cooler valley floors give acidity (citrus) * Warmer valley floors give riper fruit ( more stone and tropical ) * Mountain AVA's less fruit * Chard is Fermented in oak , but less new oak * SB unoaked in SS tanks for early release * *

Answer 11

* parallels the Pacific Ocean and runs for 450 kms from San Fran to Santa Barabara * Inland for 95kms * -cooled by marine air funneling thourhg gapsin the coastal hills * -The Southern Coast ranges run North to south , sheltering vineyards from the cool wet fog off the ocean * Santa Barbara's Transverse Range shifts E to W , funnelling cool marine air in and cooling growing areas

Answer 12

* east side of San Fran Bay in Alameda County * -afternoon winds cool down as hot rises from the inland Central Valley to the east , sucking cold air from the bay * Soils: stony ,free drining * Grapes: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauv , SB and Zinfandel * Concentrated flavours and tannins but with fresh acidity * * One of the oldest wine regions, 1760 planted by Spanish missionaries * 1880, Wente established vines from Mersault and Concannon with Cab Sauv from Margaux * These are longest running wineries in the US , even during Prohibition ( wine was made for ceremonies ) * 80% of cuttings are realted to the originals

Answer 13

- part of the coast range with 3 counties : - Santa Clara - Santa Cruz - San Mateo -vines are planted at 800m along a ridgeline which moderates day time temps -nightime ,cool air slips donw and forces warm air up - nights stay warm and frost is avoided **Cab Sauv and Chardonnay, Pinot Noir ** East side, borering Silicon Valley, good for Zinfandel Good to outstanding , mid -super prem priced eg. Mount Eden and Ridge vineyards

Answer 14

- large Salinas Valley - 130kms , largest AVA in Monterey - majority of the AVa's follow the River Salinas which is moderated by cool, marine air funelled from Monterey Bay - due to a deep canyon, the water is cold and afternoons/eve can be cold and windy - north of the valley, Rielsing and Pinot Noir - warmer inland : Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel **Chardonnay is the main variety planted everywhere at 50% of plantings ** Soils: sandy loam and gravel ,free draining irrigation is essential - water from the Salinas River ease of water and mechanisation mean most of the grapes go into inexpenvise , mid priced , high volume wines

Answer 15

30km long area SE facing alluvial terraces overlooking the Salinas valley - 350m - near Monterey bay , exposure to wind and fog - elevated areas get full sun before the maritime breeze cools them donw - winds can vclose the stomata and slow ripening Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, =fresh flavours and high acidity

Answer 16

* -sits on a dry creek * located S and E of the Santa Lucia Mountains * starts as a narrow gorge and opens to the Salinas Valley Floor * Canyon: sheltered , grow Cab Sauv, Syrha and Zinfandel * Valley Floor : Chardonnay and Riesling

Answer 17

in the Gabilan Mountain Range -550m in the mountain foothills , above the fog line Days are warm, long sunshine hours , cool nights Soils: granite, and limestone, free draining **Concentrated Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs **

Answer 18

a small valley parallel to the Salinas Valley and the Cachagua Valley inland -vines in the Cachagua can be at 670m ,,above the fog line warmest areas in monterey, shelted form the coast **Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot **-altitude means cool, high acidity Cooler, coastal areas are known for **Chardonnay and Pinot Noir **

Answer 19

The area now has 11 sub AVA's - largest area in Cali Distinct features in the growing environment Best known: Adelaida District AVA in the Santa Lucia mnts Wines may be labelled with a sub appellation but also 'paso robles' Ranges from valley floors - rolling hills-mountains at 670m Eastern part is warmer with riper, concentrated wines - West near the ocean are cooler , higher acid and fresher flavours The Templeton Gap is a low point in the Coastal Ranges that allows the ocean to reach further inland and moderate temperatures SOILS: calcerous, not found in most of Cali, clay, adequate rainfall means farmers can dry grow **39% Cabernet Sauv ** then Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel Also Rhone varieties are making headlines Mostly inexpensive and mid priced wines of good quality but also very good to outstanding eg. Saxum and Tablas Creek

Answer 20

-coolest AVA's in Cali -8kms from the ocean NW -SE , recieves cool fog from the Morro Bay to the north **High quality Still and Sparkling Chardonnay and Pinot Noir **

Answer 21

cooler areas days are warm and sunny funnels cool air /fog /wind from the ocean =high acid **Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for still and sparkling **

Answer 22

-southern part of Central Coast AVA has six AVA's located in the Transverse Ranges formed by tectonic plate shifiting West side of the valley face the ocean and funnel cool breezes and fog -cool area -Air circulation helps with frost and fungal disease and grapes can be picked later Cooler Sites : Chardonnay -Med plus to high acid, med to med plus body, lemon, grapefruit and peach , Pinot Noir- med plus to high acid, medium to med plus body , medium tannins and red cherry and plum Higher abv **Syrah - grown in warmer sites med to med plus body, med plus tannins and acid with blackbeerry and plum ( fresh) Good to ooutstanding and mid -super prem prices ** eg. Mail Road and Sine Qua Non **Legislation - no cellar doors on site, must be in the town or city **

Answer 23

-north part valley runs eat to west , funneling cool ocean air to the vineyards 100-250m on hillside slopes SOIL: sandy, shale loam clay **Pinot Noir and Chardonnay **

Answer 24

cool temps and calcium rich soils E-W framed by the Purisima Hills / Santa Roas hills close to the ocwean it recieves the first fog that funnel through the Transverse Ranges hilly terrain **Pinot Noir,** Chardonnay ,SB,Viognier and Syrah ** Wines are black cherry, black plu, tea leaf, savoury with med to high acid and medium plus tannins Prem to Super Prem prices ( small supply )

Answer 25

**Ballard Canyon AVA** - small , shelted from the cool breezes overnight fog Warmer growing conditons **Late ripening Grenache and Syrah ** **Los Olivos AVA ** - alluvial terraces on the Santa Ynez River Warm sunny days , flat without much fog - mix of Rhone and Bordeaux varieites **The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbera AVA **-new , small area at the E end furthest from the ocean Valley blocks the ocean and is warm Cooling comes from the higher altitudes **Cab Sauv / SB and Syrah, Grenache **

Answer 26

LA to the border of Mexico vines are planted with ocean exposure low latitute needs cooling influence to produce quality wines grapes were orinignally planted by Fransciscan monks in 1760 , after prohibition ,land was turned to crops and houses **New plantings are on quality Chardonnay, Cab SAuv, Zinfandel and Chenin Blanc**

Answer 27

160kms east of San Fran -west foothills of the Sierra Nevada Monts Hot, 35-40 degress c only cooled by air from the moutnains at night 600 m -1000m in el dorado helps with sugar levels SOIL : sandy loam clay from granite , sufficient water - dry farming -est. 1800 in the gold rish with cuttings from euro immigrants Wine came back in 1960 after prohibiton - most plantings are in Amador County - El Dorado AVA , Fiddletonw AVA and Shenandoah AVA **Old Vine Zinfandel ** 100 years also Rhone, Italian and Spanish varieties

Answer 28

-covers a large area with two valleys : Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley -high yielding , flat fertile areas -35-40 degrees =very ripe grapes **French Colombard , Chardonnay, Muscat, Zinfandel and Merlot ** eg. EJ Gallo 'labelled California'

Answer 29

N end of Central Valley -160 km from the San Fran Bay -large area 45,000ha ( twice the sixe of Sonoma ) Hot, Mediterranean climate, with cool, afternoon breezes fromthe bay and the Sacramento -San Joaquin Delta flat land breaks with the NOrth and South Coast Ranges to allow breezes to run inland Soils : free drining, sandy, clay and loam Low rainfall, irrigation is widely used from the river Mokelumne Low fungal,disease and frost presure from the windy Vines are cordon trained with VSP OLD VINEYARDS ARE PLANTED TO BUSH -Many varieties from : Rhone GSM , Bordeaux , Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy **-Known for old vine Zinfandel -no phyloxerra - Styles range from med to full body, med to med plus acid, ripe tannins, cherry, blueberry and blackberry ** - May be part of an inexpensive Californian blend or made from grpes only in the AVA - Good to very good with some outstadning examples - Inexpensive to Prem (old bush grown , dry farmed vines ) - eg. Ravenswood Most wineries are in Mokelumne River AVA - and also the old Zinfandel vines - wines must be labelled 'Lodi' as well as the sub AVA Lodi Rules - first sustainabiltiy program in Cali 1,000 wineries are certified 1/5 are certified sustainable

Answer 30

similar to Lodi, with hot days and afternoon breezes **Know for Chenin Blanc and Petite Syrah ** Most wines find their way into Californian wine