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WSET Level 4 - D3 > USA - California - Central Coast > Flashcards

USA - California - Central Coast Flashcards

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1
Q

Central Coast AVA
Where is it located and what does it contain?

A
  • Along the Pacific coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
  • Includes multiple counties and their AVAs
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2
Q

Livermore Valley AVA
Where is it located and what are the climatic influences?

A
  • East side of San Francisco
  • Afternoon winds as hot air rises from the inland Central Valley to its east, sucking in cool air from San Francisco Bay
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3
Q

Livermore Valley AVA
What are the soils and the effects on grape growing?

A

Stony soils are free-draining and keep vigor low

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4
Q

Livermore Valley AVA
What varieties are grown and what is the typical style of wines? (concentration, aromas, acidity, tannin)

A
  • Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
  • Concentrated, ripe flavors
  • Fresh acidity
  • Ripe tannins
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5
Q

Livermore Valley AVA
What is the history?

A
  • One of California’s oldest wine regions
  • Initial plantings using Chardonnay cuttings from Meursault and Cabernet Sauvignon vines from Margaux
  • Most of vines in California relate back to these cuttings
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6
Q

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Where are the vineyards planted and what are the climatic influences?

A
  • Vineyards planted at high altitudes (up to 800m)
  • At night, cool air slips down the slopes, forcing warm air upward
  • Nights remain relatively warm and frost is avoided
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7
Q

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
What are the varieties planted and what is the typical quality and price?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir (most planted)
  • Eastern side (bordering Silicon Valley): warmer and better suited to Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to super-premium priced
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8
Q

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Name two significant producers

A
  • Ridge Vineyards
  • Mount Eden Vineyards
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9
Q

Monterey County
What are the most important AVAs?

A
  • Monterey AVA
  • Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
  • Arroyo Seco AVA
  • Chalone AVA
  • Carmel Valley AVA
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10
Q

Monterey County - Monterey AVA
Where is the majority of AVAs located?

A

Located along the Salinas River Valley

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11
Q

Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What are the climatic influences?

A
  • Moderated by cool marine air funnelled from Monterey Bay in the north
  • Water is particularly cold due to a deep canyon in Monterey Bay
  • -> afternoons and evenings can be particularly cool and windy
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12
Q

Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What are the different climatic areas and where are which varieties grown?

A
  • Coolest areas in the north: Pinot Noir and Riesling
  • Warmer sites further inland: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel
  • All sites: Chardonnay (main variety, >50%)
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13
Q

Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What are the soils, rainfall, and irrigation?

A
  • Soils: sandy loam and gravel
  • Free-draining
  • Low rainfall -> irrigation is essential
  • Water is sourced from Salinas River
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14
Q

Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What types of grapes (price) are produced and why?

A
  • Mostly inexpensive and mid-priced high-volume wines
  • Availability of irrigation water and ease of mechanisation on the large flat valley floor
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15
Q

Monterey County - Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Where are the vineyards located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • Up to 350m
  • Relatively near to Monterey Bay -> exposed to winds and fogs
  • Altitude means that it gets morning sunshine before afternoon maritime breezes cool the vineyards
  • Sometimes stomata close because of wind -> slow ripening
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16
Q

Monterey County - Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
What varieties are planted and what type of wines are produced? (flavors, acidity)

A
  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (key varieties)
  • Syrah in more sheltered sites
  • Wines have fresh flavors and high acidity
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17
Q

Monterey County - Arroyo Seco AVA
Where are vineyards located and what varieties are grown where?

A
  • More sheltered from coastal influences within the canyon: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel
  • Exposed to afternoon breezes on the valley floor: Chardonnay and Riesling
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18
Q

Monterey County - Chalone AVA
Where are vineyards planted and what are effects on grape growing?

A
  • At around 550m -> above the fog line
  • Warm days and long sunshine hours
  • Cool nights -> retain acidity
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19
Q

Monterey County - Chalone AVA
What is the soil and what are the effects on grape growing?

A
  • Soils: granite and limestone
  • Free-draining
  • Low yields of concentrated grapes.
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20
Q

Monterey County - Chalone AVA
What varieties is the AVA known for?

A
  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
  • Also grows other grapes, like Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc and Syrah
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21
Q

Monterey County - Carmel Valley AVA
Where are vineyards located and what are the climatic influences?

A
  • Up to 670m -> above the fog line
  • Warm -> sheltered from coastal influences
  • Cool nights -> due to altitude and being surrounded by mountains
22
Q

Monterey County - Carmel Valley AVA
What are the most planted varieties and what varieties are planted in specific regions?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Cooler sites nearer the coast: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
23
Q

San Luis Obispo County
What are the three main AVAs?

A
  • Paso Robles AVA
  • Edna Valley AVA
  • Arroyo Grande AVA
24
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What are the two major influences on climate? And what effect do they have on grape growing?

A
  • Altitude: from valley floors to mountains up to 670m
  • Proximity to Pacific: the closer, the cooler
  • Eastern part: higher acidity, fresher flavors
  • Western part: riper, more concentrated fruit
25
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What is the soil and effect on grape growing?

A
  • Calcerous soil (not widely found in California)
  • Where texture is clay -> dry farming possible
26
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What are the main varieties?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)
  • Merlot
  • Syrah
  • Zinfandel
  • Additionally known for black and white Rhône varieties
27
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What are the ranges in quality and price?

A
  • Mostly:
  • Good quality
  • Inexpensive to mid-priced
  • Some producers:
  • Very good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium prices
28
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
Name two significant producers

A
  • Saxum Vineyards
  • Tablas Creek
29
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Edna Valley AVA
What is the climate? Where is it located and what are the main climatic influences?

A
  • One of the coolest AVAs in California
  • Very close to the Pacific Ocean
  • Cool fog and wind
30
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Edna Valley AVA
What varieties are grown and what types of wines produced?

A
  • Most known for high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for still and sparkling wines
  • Range of other varieties, e.g., Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño and Viognier
31
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
What is the climate and what are the main climatic influences and their effect on grape growing?

A
  • One of the cooler areas in the state
  • Warm and sunny days
  • Valley funnels in cool Pacific fog and wind
  • Cool temperatures at night
  • -> Ripe grapes with high acidity
32
Q

San Luis Obispo County - Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
What are the main varieties and where are they planted?

A
  • Mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for still and sparkling wines
  • Warmer areas more inland: some Zinfandel and Syrah
33
Q

Santa Barbara County
What are the two larger AVAs and which of them includes how many sub-AVAs?

A
  • Santa Maria Valley AVA
  • Santa Ynez Valley AVA (includes 4 sub-AVAs)
34
Q

Santa Barbara County
How is the valley oriented and what are climatic influences?

A
  • East-west orientation of Southern Coast Ranges
  • Western side (directly at Pacific): cooling breezes and fog, lowering temperatures significantly
  • Eastern side: warmer and less windy
35
Q

Santa Barbara County
What does the wind help with?

A
  • Helps reduce risk of frost and fungal diseases
  • Grapes can be kept on the vine into the autumn months to fully ripen
36
Q

Santa Barbara County
What are the most grown varieties and where are they grown? What are other grapes?

A
  • Cooler areas:
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Warmer areas:
  • Syrah
  • Other varieties:
  • Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Viognier
37
Q

Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir (aromas, acidity, body, tannin, alcohol)

A
  • Red cherry and plum
  • Medium(+) to high acidity
  • Medium to medium(+) body
  • Medium tannins
  • Medium to high alcohol
38
Q

Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical style of Chardonnay (aromas, acidity, body)

A
  • Lemon, grapefruit and peach
  • Medium(+) to high acidity
  • Medium to medium(+) body
39
Q

Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical style of Syrah (aromas, acidity, body, tannin)

A
  • Fresh blackberry and plum
  • Medium(+) acidity
  • Medium to medium(+) body
  • Medium(+) tannins
40
Q

Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical quality and price of wines

A
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid to super-premium priced
41
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley AVA
Where is it located and what climatic influences exist?

A
  • Northern part of the county
  • Valley runs west to east -> cool air from Pacific is funneled
42
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley AVA
Where are the vineyards located and what is the soil?

A
  • Hillside slopes at 100-250m
  • Sandy clay shale loam
43
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley AVA
What are the most grown varieties?

A
  • Mostly: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
  • Followed by: Syrah and Viognier
44
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA
What are the four sub-AVAs?

A
  • Sta. Rita Hills AVA
  • Ballard Canyon AVA
  • Los Olivos District AVA
  • Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
45
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Where is it located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • Western edge of Santa Ynez AVA -> closest to Pacific
  • Being the first to receive the cool Pacific fog and breezes
46
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
What further factors, besides the proximity to the Pacific has a climatic influence?

A
  • Hilly terrain
  • Diverse mix of soils
47
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
What are the most grown varieties?

A
  • Pinot Noir
  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Viognier
  • Syrah
48
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
What variety is it most known for and what is the typical style of that wine? (aromas, acidity, tannin, price)

A
  • Pinot Noir
  • Black cherry, black plum, tea leaf
  • Medium(+) to high acidity
  • Medium(+) tannins
  • Premium and super-premium prices
49
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Ballard Canyon AVA
Where is the canyon located, what are climatic influences and what does this mean for the varieties grown?

A
  • Located further inland
  • Canyon runs north to south -> sheltered from much of the cool breezes
  • However, there is overnight fog giving cooler nights
  • Warmer growing conditions mean that later-ripening Syrah and Grenache are the two most planted grape varieties
50
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Los Olivos AVA
Where is it located, what are climatic influences and what does this mean for the varieties grown?

A
  • Alluvial terraces between the AVAs of Ballard Canyon and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
  • Warm, sunny days
  • Low diurnal range: no altitude or much fog
  • Mix of Bordeaux, Rhône and Italian varieties are grown
51
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
Where is the canyon located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • Located in the eastern-most end of the Santa Ynez AVA (furthest from the Pacific Ocean)
  • Orientation to north-south -> blocks Pacific influence
  • High diurnal range due to cooling influences from high altitude sites and exposure to afternoon winds
52
Q

Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
What are the most grown varieties?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc
  • Additionally, other Bordeaux varieties, Syrah and Grenache

WSET Level 4 - D3 (56 decks)

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