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WSET Level 4 - D3 > USA - California - Other > Flashcards

USA - California - Other Flashcards

1
Q

Central Valley
What two valleys does the Central Valley consist of and how much vine do they have planted?

A
  • Sacramento Valley: 6,700 ha
  • San Joaquin Valley: 61,000 ha
  • None of them (also not Central Valley) are AVAs!
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2
Q

Central Valley
Where are the vineyards located and what is the climate? What is the effect on grapes?

A
  • High yielding vineyards
  • Flat fertile areas
  • Hot daytime temps of around 35–40°C
  • -> very ripe grapes
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3
Q

Central Valley
What varieties are mostly planted?

A
  • French Colombard
  • Chardonnay
  • Muscat
  • Zinfandel
  • Merlot
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4
Q

Central Valley
What is the area known for and what are the two largest producers?

A
  • Known for large-scale production
  • E & J Gallo Winery
  • Bronco Wine Company
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5
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
Where is it located and what is the area under vine?

A
  • Northern end of the Central Valley, inland from the San Francisco Bay
  • 45,000 ha
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6
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is the climate and what is it influenced by?

A
  • Hot Mediterranean
  • Moderated by cooling afternoon winds both from the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
  • Breezes can travel far inland because of the flat land
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7
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is the soil, rainfall, and other conditions in the vineyards?

A
  • Flatlands of free-draining sandy and clay loam soils
  • Low rainfall -> irrigation widely used
  • Windy conditions -> low risk of fungal diseases and frost
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8
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
How are the vines trained?

A
  • Usually cordon-trained and VSP trellised (less labor required than for guyot)
  • Oldest vineyards have bush vines
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9
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
Roughly describe what varieties are grown here

A
  • Range of varieties can ripen well yet maintain a degree of freshness
  • Rhône and South of France (Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Picpoul)
  • Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc)
  • Spain (Tempranillo, Graciano, Albariño),
  • Portugal (Touriga Naçional, Tinta Cão)
  • Germany (Riesling, Gewurztraminer)
  • Italy (Barbera, Aglianico)
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10
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What type of wine is the AVA most known for? (variety, aromas, acidity, body, tannin)

A
  • Zinfandel, with >100 years old vines
  • Cherry, blueberry and blackberry
  • Medium to medium(+) acidity
  • Medium to full body
  • Ripe tannins
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11
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
For what types of wines are the grapes typically used?

A
  • Part of an inexpensive California blend (because of low grape prices)
  • Wines from grapes of the Lodi AVA
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12
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is the typical quality of wines from this AVA?

A
  • Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
  • Inexpensive to premium priced
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13
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
Name two significant producers

A
  • Michael David
  • Ravenswood
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14
Q

Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is “Lodi Rules”?

A
  • The first sustainability program in California
  • > 1,000 wineries are certified
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15
Q

Central Valley - Clarksburg AVA
What is the climate?

A
  • Similar to Lodi
  • Hot days moderated by afternoon breezes
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16
Q

Central Valley - Clarksburg AVA
How are the wines typically used?

A
  • Relatively few are labeled with the Clarksburg AVA
  • Majority for California blends
17
Q

Central Valley - Clarksburg AVA
What are the most grown varieties?

A
  • Most known for
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Petite Sirah
  • Large plantings of
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Viognier
18
Q

Sierra Foothills AVA
Where is it located?

A
  • East of San Francisco
  • Western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range
19
Q

Sierra Foothills AVA
Describe the climate and climatic influences

A
  • Hot daytime temps, up to 35–40°C
  • Cool air from mountains at night -> high diurnal range
  • Altitude of up to 1,000m helps with sugar levels
20
Q

Sierra Foothills AVA
What is the soil and what does it help with?

A
  • Sandy clay loam
  • Retains sufficient water to allow for dry farming
21
Q

Sierra Foothills AVA
What varieties is it most known for and what other varieties are planted?

A
  • Old vine Zinfandel (some >100y old)
  • Rhône (Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah)
  • Italy (Barbera, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Aglianico)
  • Spain (Verdelho, Tempranillo)
22
Q

South Coast AVA
Where is it located?

A
  • South of Los Angeles down to Mexico
  • Includes a number of sub-AVAs
23
Q

South Coast AVA
What influence does the latitude have and what does it mean for other climatic influences?

A
  • Low latitude -> some cooling influence is necessary for quality wine grape production
  • Many vineyards are exposed to breezes from the Pacific
  • Some rely on altitude for temperature relief
24
Q

South Coast AVA
What varieties are mostly planted?

A
  • Chardonnay
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Zinfandel
  • Chenin Blanc

WSET Level 4 - D3 (56 decks)

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