USA-(California) Flashcards

1
Q

Where are most of the vineyards located?

A

North of LA

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2
Q

Where do valleys act as funnels for cold air?

A

Valleys that lie at right angles to the ocean such as those in Monterey and Santa Barbra Counties

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3
Q

What is a major concern during ripening season?

A

Water shortages
Drip irrigation is widely practiced

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4
Q

Most planted black grape in Cali?

A

Cab Sauv

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5
Q

Cab Sauv characteristics?

A

Full body
Concentrated ripe cassis flavors
Spice aromas from new oak barrels

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6
Q

What is California’s “own” grape variety?

A

Zinfandel

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7
Q

Zinfandel characteristics?

A

-Can ripen unevenly
Raisining-Concentrated, full body, high alcohol, red and black fruit, dried berries, licorice

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8
Q

What is wine Zinfandel?

A

Rose
Made from early picked grapes
Fruit, pale, medium sweet, low alcohol

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9
Q

Where are the largest plantings of Merlot?

A

San Joaquin in Central Valley
Simple/inexpensive wines

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10
Q

Where do better quality Merlots come from?

A

Cooler sites
Monterey and North coast regions (Napa, Sonoma)
Soft/velvet tannins
Luscious body
High alcohol
Blackberry/plum flavours

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11
Q

Where does premium Pinot Noir come from?

A

Russian River Valley
Los Carneros
Santa Maria Valley

Some=Light color/game/vegetal notes

Some=Rich ripe red fruit flavours, vanilla from oak maturation

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12
Q

Where is Syrah made?

A

Across the state

Full bodied/rich

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13
Q

Most planted white?

A

Chardonnay

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14
Q

Central Valley Chardonnay?

A

Inexpensive, high volume
Fruity
Low-med acid
Sometimes toasty note from oak staves of chips

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15
Q

Cooler region Chardonnay?

A

Los Carneros
Russian River Valley
Premium, more restrained using less oak

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16
Q

Best Sauv B?

A

Coastal regions
High acid, ripe citrus flavors

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17
Q

What is Fume Blanc?

A

Oaked style of Sauv B, but some use this term for unoaked wines

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18
Q

Where is the majority of wine produced?

A

Central Valley where soil is very fertile and irrigation is used to increase yield

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19
Q

North Coast climate?

A

Influenced by ocean, which brings fog and cool breezes

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20
Q

What does the North Coast consist of in Napa County?

A

NAPA COUNTY
Napa Valley AVA
Los Carneros AVA
Stags Leap District
Oakville
Rutherford
Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA
Howell Mountain AVA
Mount Veeder AVA

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21
Q

Most significant influences in Napa County?

A

Morning fog
Cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay

22
Q

Most Southerly Vineyard area on the valley floor?

A

Los Carneros AVA

High quality PN and Chardonnay (still and traditional method sparkling)

23
Q

Premium Cab Sauv areas?

A

Stags Leap District
Oakville
Rutherford

24
Q

What other grapes are planted in Stags District, Oakville, Rutherford?

A

Merlot
Sauv B, Chardonnay– Ripe tropical fruit flavors

25
Q

In the North of the valley what 2 AVAs receive the warmest daytime temps?

A

Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA

*Can produce some of the most concentrated full bodied wines in the valley

26
Q

Grapes grown in Saint Helena and Calistoga?

A

Cab Sauv is focus
Zinfandel and Syrah

27
Q

Are West facing vineyards such as Howell Mountain AVA warmer than East facing vineyards such as Mount Veeder AVA?

A

Yes they are, they get full exposure to the afternoon sun

Fuller bodied wines/higher alcohol in West

28
Q

How do the reds of the valley sides differ from those of the valley floor?

A

Valley side reds tend to have greater levels of tannin, less richness on the palate

29
Q

Main reds on Valley sides?

Main white?

A

Cab Sauv
Merlot, Cab Franc, Zin grown depending on location

Chardonnay- Citrus, stone fruit, higher levels of acid than those on Valley floor

30
Q

What does the North coast consist of in Sonoma and Mendocino County?

A

Russian River Valley AVA
Dry Creek Valley AVA
Alexander Valley AVA
Sonoma Coast AVA

31
Q

Is Sonoma County larger than Napa County?

A

Yes, with a larger variety of climates

32
Q

What is Russian River Valley AVA known for?

A

Cool/foggy

High quality, elegant PN and Chardonnay
Sparkling wines from same grape varieties

33
Q

What is Dry Creek Valley AVA known for?

A

Hillsides above the fog layer- High quality, old vine Zin
Valley floor- Sauv B

Some Rhone varieties and Cab Sauv

34
Q

What is Alexander Valley AVA known for?

A

Warmer
More fleshy/full bodied wines
Soft textured/full bodied Cab Sauv

Some international varieties

35
Q

Climate of Sonoma Coast AVA?

A

Influenced by cold Pacific Ocean
Vineyards on south facing slopes to help maximize ripening

36
Q

What is Sonoma Coast AVA known for?

A

High quality Chardonnays
Old vine Zinfandel

37
Q

What does Mendocino County include?

A

The very cold Anderson Valley AVA—Source of grapes for aromatic whites such as Riesling and Gew, and sparkling

38
Q

What does the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA include?

A

Hillside locations with infertile soils

39
Q

What is produced in Santa Cruz Mountains AVA?

A

Some of Cali’s most elegant Cab Sauv
High quality Chard and Pinot Noir

40
Q

What is the Monterey AVA influenced by?

A

Pacific Ocean

41
Q

What is planted in Monterey AVA?

A

Closer to coast where strong cool winds blow in- Chard and Pinot Noir

Further along valley where cool winds are less evident- Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah

42
Q

What does the Central Coast include?

A

Santa Cruz mountains and Monterey
-Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
-Monterey AVA
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
-Paso Robles AVA
-Santa Maria Valley AVA

43
Q

What is Paso Robles AVA known for?

A

Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah

44
Q

Climate in Paso Robles AVA?

A

East-Hot, sunny, deep fertile soils, making fruity wines for high volume brands

West- Cooled by marine air, high quality Zin and Rhone varieties

45
Q

Santa Maria Valley AVA climate?

A

Much cooler
Premium PN and Chardonnay

46
Q

What does the Central Valley include?

A

Lodi

47
Q

Where does vast majority of Cali wine come from?

A

Central Valley

48
Q

Climate in Central Valley

A

Hot, dry, irrigation is used

49
Q

Grapes grown in Central Valley?

A

Rubired, Rubi Cabernet

Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chard
Coombard, Chenin B, Barbera

50
Q

What is Lodi known for?

A

Some of the oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards