USA - California - Introduction Flashcards
Give a brief overview of Californias history
- Late 19th century: Wine research at University of California (now based in Davis)
- 1930s to 60s: Wine industry rebuilt
- Preference for medium-sweet and sweet wines
- Mid to late 20th century: Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon became dominant varieties
- 1976: two Californian wines received top scores at blind tasting in Paris
- Strong trend towards concentrated, high alcohol wines with lot of oak -> now not anymore
What are some factors that allow California to produce high quality wines today?
- Greater concentration on matching grape variety to the regional or site climate and soil
- Higher number of professionally trained winemakers with international experience
- Highly-regarded local wine research center located in Davis
- Great interest in experimenting with a wide range of grape varieties, winemaking techniques and wine styles
What are the two major influences on climate and, hence, grape growing?
- Cold Pacific Ocean: current form the north and upwelling (deeply cold water rises to the surface) along the west coast
- Mountains: topography has much more influence than latitude
What is the approx. latitude of Californian wine regions and what does that mean for regions without influences from coast or mountains?
- 32–42° N
- Sunlight is intense
- Much warmer
- -> mostly inexpensive, high-volume wines
How do regions further inland profit from the ocean?
Through valley channels
What is the trend regarding manual and mechanized labor? Why?
- More mechanization where it is possible
- Skilled Mexican labor not as available as before
Comment on irrigation practices and trends
- Lack of rainfall during the growing season
- Irrigation often installed
- Drought a problem in recent years
- Tensions between various agricultural businesses and residents
- Local water sustainability agencies enforce water management schemes
What is the major disease risk?
- Pierce’s disease spread by leafhoppers
- Fungal diseases not a big problem because of low rainfall and breezes
What are major weather hazards
- Spring frosts -> sprinklers and wind machines
- Wildfires
- Risk of smoke taint
Comment on sustainable grape growing
- Widely practiced
- Different certification programs
- 85% of wine production from sustainable wineries
Comment on organic grape growing and wine production
- Wine labeled as organic must have no addition of SO2 -> not many do it
- More often: certified organic grapes
- Some do biodynamic
What are the most grown varieties (in descending order of ha planted)?
- Chardonnay (≈20%)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (≈20%)
- Pinot Noir
- Zinfandel
- Merlot
- French Colombard
- Syrah
- Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
What impact do cooling influences have on the style of Cabernet Sauvignon (aromas, body, alcohol)? How is it countered and what other style can be produced?
- Vineyards with some moderating influence: fresher black fruit and herbal flavours, less body and lower alcohol
- Vineyard management (e.g., Green-harvesting)
- Harvesting dates (e.g., ong ‘hang times’)
- Very concentrated, very ripe styles of wine, often with a full body and high alcohol
Cabernet Sauvignon
Describe the winemaking process (maturation vessel and blending)
- Almost always matured in oak
- High percentages of new French oak
- Now shorter maturation and better balance of oak and fruit
- Often blended with some other Bordeaux grapes
Chardonnay
On what does the style depend and what sites are increasingly chosen?
- Depending on site climate, winemaking practices and price
- Trend: nearer the coast or with coastal influence, or at high altitudes
