USA - California - Other Flashcards
Central Valley
What two valleys does the Central Valley consist of and how much vine do they have planted?
- Sacramento Valley: 6,700 ha
- San Joaquin Valley: 61,000 ha
- None of them (also not Central Valley) are AVAs!
Central Valley
Where are the vineyards located and what is the climate? What is the effect on grapes?
- High yielding vineyards
- Flat fertile areas
- Hot daytime temps of around 35–40°C
- -> very ripe grapes
Central Valley
What varieties are mostly planted?
- French Colombard
- Chardonnay
- Muscat
- Zinfandel
- Merlot
Central Valley
What is the area known for and what are the two largest producers?
- Known for large-scale production
- E & J Gallo Winery
- Bronco Wine Company
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
Where is it located and what is the area under vine?
- Northern end of the Central Valley, inland from the San Francisco Bay
- 45,000 ha
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is the climate and what is it influenced by?
- 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
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is the soil, rainfall, and other conditions in the vineyards?
- Flatlands of free-draining sandy and clay loam soils
- Low rainfall -> irrigation widely used
- Windy conditions -> low risk of fungal diseases and frost
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
How are the vines trained?
- Usually cordon-trained and VSP trellised (less labor required than for guyot)
- Oldest vineyards have bush vines
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
Roughly describe what varieties are grown here
- 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)
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What type of wine is the AVA most known for? (variety, aromas, acidity, body, tannin)
- Zinfandel, with >100 years old vines
- Cherry, blueberry and blackberry
- Medium to medium(+) acidity
- Medium to full body
- Ripe tannins
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
For what types of wines are the grapes typically used?
- Part of an inexpensive California blend (because of low grape prices)
- Wines from grapes of the Lodi AVA
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is the typical quality of wines from this AVA?
- Good to very good quality (some outstanding)
- Inexpensive to premium priced
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
Name two significant producers
- Michael David
- Ravenswood
Central Valley - Lodi AVA
What is “Lodi Rules”?
- The first sustainability program in California
- > 1,000 wineries are certified
Central Valley - Clarksburg AVA
What is the climate?
- Similar to Lodi
- Hot days moderated by afternoon breezes