USA - California - Central Coast Flashcards
Central Coast AVA
Where is it located and what does it contain?
- Along the Pacific coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
- Includes multiple counties and their AVAs
Livermore Valley AVA
Where is it located and what are the climatic influences?
- 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
Livermore Valley AVA
What are the soils and the effects on grape growing?
Stony soils are free-draining and keep vigor low
Livermore Valley AVA
What varieties are grown and what is the typical style of wines? (concentration, aromas, acidity, tannin)
- Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel
- Concentrated, ripe flavors
- Fresh acidity
- Ripe tannins
Livermore Valley AVA
What is the history?
- 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
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Where are the vineyards planted and what are the climatic influences?
- 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
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
What are the varieties planted and what is the typical quality and price?
- 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
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Name two significant producers
- Ridge Vineyards
- Mount Eden Vineyards
Monterey County
What are the most important AVAs?
- Monterey AVA
- Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
- Arroyo Seco AVA
- Chalone AVA
- Carmel Valley AVA
Monterey County - Monterey AVA
Where is the majority of AVAs located?
Located along the Salinas River Valley
Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What are the climatic influences?
- 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
Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What are the different climatic areas and where are which varieties grown?
- 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%)
Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What are the soils, rainfall, and irrigation?
- Soils: sandy loam and gravel
- Free-draining
- Low rainfall -> irrigation is essential
- Water is sourced from Salinas River
Monterey County - Monterey AVA
What types of grapes (price) are produced and why?
- Mostly inexpensive and mid-priced high-volume wines
- Availability of irrigation water and ease of mechanisation on the large flat valley floor
Monterey County - Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Where are the vineyards located and what are climatic influences?
- 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
Monterey County - Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
What varieties are planted and what type of wines are produced? (flavors, acidity)
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (key varieties)
- Syrah in more sheltered sites
- Wines have fresh flavors and high acidity
Monterey County - Arroyo Seco AVA
Where are vineyards located and what varieties are grown where?
- More sheltered from coastal influences within the canyon: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel
- Exposed to afternoon breezes on the valley floor: Chardonnay and Riesling
Monterey County - Chalone AVA
Where are vineyards planted and what are effects on grape growing?
- At around 550m -> above the fog line
- Warm days and long sunshine hours
- Cool nights -> retain acidity
Monterey County - Chalone AVA
What is the soil and what are the effects on grape growing?
- Soils: granite and limestone
- Free-draining
- Low yields of concentrated grapes.
Monterey County - Chalone AVA
What varieties is the AVA known for?
- Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Also grows other grapes, like Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc and Syrah
Monterey County - Carmel Valley AVA
Where are vineyards located and what are the climatic influences?
- Up to 670m -> above the fog line
- Warm -> sheltered from coastal influences
- Cool nights -> due to altitude and being surrounded by mountains
Monterey County - Carmel Valley AVA
What are the most planted varieties and what varieties are planted in specific regions?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Cooler sites nearer the coast: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
San Luis Obispo County
What are the three main AVAs?
- Paso Robles AVA
- Edna Valley AVA
- Arroyo Grande AVA
San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What are the two major influences on climate? And what effect do they have on grape growing?
- 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
San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What is the soil and effect on grape growing?
- Calcerous soil (not widely found in California)
- Where texture is clay -> dry farming possible
San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What are the main varieties?
- Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Zinfandel
- Additionally known for black and white Rhône varieties
San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
What are the ranges in quality and price?
- Mostly:
- Good quality
- Inexpensive to mid-priced
- Some producers:
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Mid- to premium prices
San Luis Obispo County - Paso Robles AVA
Name two significant producers
- Saxum Vineyards
- Tablas Creek
San Luis Obispo County - Edna Valley AVA
What is the climate? Where is it located and what are the main climatic influences?
- One of the coolest AVAs in California
- Very close to the Pacific Ocean
- Cool fog and wind
San Luis Obispo County - Edna Valley AVA
What varieties are grown and what types of wines produced?
- 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
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?
- 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
San Luis Obispo County - Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
What are the main varieties and where are they planted?
- Mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for still and sparkling wines
- Warmer areas more inland: some Zinfandel and Syrah
Santa Barbara County
What are the two larger AVAs and which of them includes how many sub-AVAs?
- Santa Maria Valley AVA
- Santa Ynez Valley AVA (includes 4 sub-AVAs)
Santa Barbara County
How is the valley oriented and what are climatic influences?
- 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
Santa Barbara County
What does the wind help with?
- Helps reduce risk of frost and fungal diseases
- Grapes can be kept on the vine into the autumn months to fully ripen
Santa Barbara County
What are the most grown varieties and where are they grown? What are other grapes?
- Cooler areas:
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Warmer areas:
- Syrah
- Other varieties:
- Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Viognier
Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir (aromas, acidity, body, tannin, alcohol)
- Red cherry and plum
- Medium(+) to high acidity
- Medium to medium(+) body
- Medium tannins
- Medium to high alcohol
Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical style of Chardonnay (aromas, acidity, body)
- Lemon, grapefruit and peach
- Medium(+) to high acidity
- Medium to medium(+) body
Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical style of Syrah (aromas, acidity, body, tannin)
- Fresh blackberry and plum
- Medium(+) acidity
- Medium to medium(+) body
- Medium(+) tannins
Santa Barbara County
Describe the typical quality and price of wines
- Good to outstanding quality
- Mid to super-premium priced
Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley AVA
Where is it located and what climatic influences exist?
- Northern part of the county
- Valley runs west to east -> cool air from Pacific is funneled
Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley AVA
Where are the vineyards located and what is the soil?
- Hillside slopes at 100-250m
- Sandy clay shale loam
Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley AVA
What are the most grown varieties?
- Mostly: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Followed by: Syrah and Viognier
Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA
What are the four sub-AVAs?
- Sta. Rita Hills AVA
- Ballard Canyon AVA
- Los Olivos District AVA
- Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Where is it located and what are climatic influences?
- Western edge of Santa Ynez AVA -> closest to Pacific
- Being the first to receive the cool Pacific fog and breezes
Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
What further factors, besides the proximity to the Pacific has a climatic influence?
- Hilly terrain
- Diverse mix of soils
Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Sta. Rita Hills AVA
What are the most grown varieties?
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viognier
- Syrah
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)
- Pinot Noir
- Black cherry, black plum, tea leaf
- Medium(+) to high acidity
- Medium(+) tannins
- Premium and super-premium prices
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?
- 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
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?
- 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
Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
Where is the canyon located and what are climatic influences?
- 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
Santa Barbara County - Santa Ynez Valley AVA - Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
What are the most grown varieties?
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc
- Additionally, other Bordeaux varieties, Syrah and Grenache
