WINES OF THE WORLD ๐บ๐ธ USA - California Flashcards
Main sub-regions of California
- North Coast
- Central Coast
- Inland Valleys (Central Valley)
- Sierra Foothills
- Southern California
Climate of California
Influence by the cold Pacific Ocean (deep cold water from the N rises to the surface) and the range of mountains along the state. Possibility of fog in some areas (from the afternoon to the morning). Mediterranean climate. Low latitude, therefore the ocean and the altitude are two key factors in the moderating influence.
Hazards in California
Drought in recent years. Pierceโs disease, mainly in southern California and Central Valley. Spring frost, wildfires.
Main grape varieties of California
63% blacks. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon mainly. Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, French Colombard, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc.
Key winemaking operations for Pinot Noir wines in California
Small % of whole bunch fermentation or stem.
Key winemaking operations for Zinfandel wines in California
American oak for fermentation, good match between vanilla and juicy profile. White Zinfandel is made from short maceration on the skins, stainless steel, fermentation is stopped to produce a medium-dry wine.
Key winemaking operations for Merlot wines in California
Premium wines are blended with Bordeaux varieties.
Key winemaking operations for Sauvignon Blanc wines in California
Stainless steel or oak.
Key winemaking operations for Syrah wines in California
Some producers are specialised in Rhรดne varieties.
Californian wines that won the blind tasting in Paris (1976)
Stagโs Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 and Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 1973.
When a Californian wine can be defined as โorganic wineโ
No addition of SO2.
The meaning of โcertified organic grapeโ in a Californian wine
Grape growing process has been certified.
Labelling laws for Californian wines
- variety, wine made from 75+% of that variety;
- appellation of origin, 75+% grapes come from that county or state; 85+% if vintage;
- AVA, 85+% grapes come from that AVA; 95+% if vineyard name or vintage.
The meaning of โestate bottledโ in a Californian wine
If vineyards and winery are in the same AVA.
Types of businesses that operate in California
5900 grape growers, 4800 bonded wineries, small number of estate wineries. Many wine producers are merchants or grower-merchants. Also indipendent professional grape growers that farm large vineyards. Large range in size, from small (Screaming Eagle Winery and Harlan Estate) to the worldwide largest companies (E & J Gallo). Small % of biodynamic grape growers.
North Coast AVA
The largest AVA in California, covering a substantial % of Napa County, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, and Lake County.
Mountain range between Mendocino and Lake County
Mayacamas Mountains
Climate of Mendocino
Cool close to the coast and warmer inland (altitude can moderate).
Main grape varieties of Mendocino AVA
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and aromatic varieties on the coastal sites. While inland there are Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling on altitude.
Key elements in the topography of Mendocino AVA
Along the Pacific Ocean to the W, Lake County to its E and Sonoma County to its S. Vineyards are either close to Pacific Ocean or inland (some in altitude).
How many AVAs in Mendocino are
13
Mendocino AVA
Cover six of the countyโs AVAs, can be used for multi-regional blends between these AVAs.
Anderson Valley AVA
The most well-known of Mendocinoโs AVAs. Vineyards on the sloped sides of the valley. Warm day-time temperatures, cold air and fog along the Navarro River. Warmer inland. Plentiful rainfall (900-2000 mm), mainly in winter and spring. Risk of frost. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the main grape varieties. High reputation for Pinot Noir caused that many wineries from other areas buy grapes here. Both sparkling and still wines. Tourism is an important source for cellar doors.
How many AVAs in Lake County are
7
Clear Lake AVA
Lake Countyโs largest AVA, has four sub-AVAs. Afternoon breezes from the lake, vineyards on the slopes, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Key elements in the topography of Lake County
In the rain shadow of the Mayacamas Mountains to the W and the Vaca Range to the E. Most of the vineyards are around Clear Lake.
The overarching AVAs in Sonoma County
Northern Sonoma AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA.
Northern Sonoma AVA
Large area between Mendocino, Mayacamas Mountains and Santa Rosa. Russian River provides water for vineyards. It incorporates many smaller AVAs (Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Rockpile, Chalk Hill, Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley).
Sonoma Coast AVA
From Mendocino in the N, down to Marin County and San Pablo Bay to the S. It includes the Sonoma side of Carneros, part of Sonoma Valley, the W part of Chalk Hill and most of the Russian River Valley AVA. Also the Petaluma Gap AVA and Fort Ross Seaview AVA. Cold ocean winds and fog for vineyards in the W (disrupted fruit set, low yields). Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in light body, high acidity and med alcohol. Aubert and Occidental as significant producers.
Sonoma Valley AVA
SE of Sonoma County, Mayacamas mountain range on the E, Sonoma mountain range shelter from cool Pacific breezes. The S part is the coolest. Temperatures are moderated by cold winds from San Pablo Bay, slow ripening. Sub-appellations: Sonoma Mountain AVA, Bennet Valley AVA and Carneros AVA.
Knights Valley AVA
One of the warmest AVAs in Sonoma County, surrounded by hills and sheltered from cool influence of Pacific Ocean. Cooler sites at higher altitudes. Free-draining volcanic soils. Ripe and full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
Rockpile AVA
In the N of Sonoma County, overlapping with the Dry Creek AVA and extending up to Mendocino County. Steep rocky slopes above 244 m. Influence by Lake Sonoma, warm influence during night. Vineyards above the fog layer. Little water retention by the soil, windy conditions mean high evapotranspiration rates, so low yields and concentrated ripe fruit. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Douro varieties.
Fort Ross Seaview AVA
NW of the Sonoma Coast AVA, vineyards over the fog, long sunshine and warmth, riper fruit but always fresh and high acidity. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Petaluma Gap AVA
S of Sonoma County, high speed coastal winds, persistent wind of 8+ miles per hour. Lower temperatures, slower respiration and photosynthesis. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. High acidity, fresh fruit flavours and lower alcohol.
Sonoma Mountain AVA
W of Sonoma Valley, E facing, steep slopes within Sonoma mountain range, above fog, intense sunlight and warmth (deep colour, ripe flavours), cold air from mountain during night (retains acidity), volcanic soils, free-draining and low nutrients. Concentrated and ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. Also Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon on cooler sites.
Bennet Valley AVA
One of the smallest AVA in Sonoma County, surrounded by hills, warm days and cool nights (cool air and fog). Syrah, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.