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WSET3 > 35. California > Flashcards

35. California Flashcards

1
Q

True or False: Zinfandel grapes are difficult to grow and often require extra “hang time” in California.

A

True, ripening can be uneven within a bunch

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2
Q

What makes Sonoma County’s climate unique within the North Coast wine region?

A

The valleys have two sources of fog: one from the Pacific Ocean and the other from San Francisco Bay

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3
Q

AVAs regulate just one thing. What is it?

A

Geographical boundaries

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4
Q

In what year did California wines win the Franco-American International Wine Competition in Paris, an event that launched them onto the world stage?

A

1976

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5
Q

What two historical events nearly destroyed the early California wine industry?

A

Phylloxera blight and Prohibition

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6
Q

What percentage of California wineries sell fewer than 5,000 cases a year?

A

About half, implying a huge number of very small operations

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7
Q 
What is the warmest area of the Central Coast AVA?
   A. Paso Robles 
   B. Monterey 
   C. Santa Barbara 
   D. Alameda
A

Paso Robles

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8
Q

When did the growth of quality and quantity come to California after Prohibition?

A

1960’s.

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9
Q

Is irrigation common in California?

A

yes (dry summers)

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10
Q

What is the common denominator of climate throughout California?

A

dry summers

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11
Q

What are three effects of fog on viticulture?

A

slow ripening, increased fruit intensity, retain acidity

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12
Q

Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with deep color, velvet tannins, full body, high alcohol and flavors of blackberry and plum?

A

Merlot

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13
Q

Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with pale color, and rich layers of red cherry and strawberry?

A

Pinot Noir (could also have gamey and vegetal notes)

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14
Q

What two factors lead to the best expression of California Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

long hang-time of the fruit and high-tech winemaking

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15
Q

Which California grape produces the largest crop?

A

Chardonnay

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16
Q

What is the most harvested red grape in California?

A

Zinfindel

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17
Q

What is the most widely planted red grape in California?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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18
Q

Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with full body, high alcohol, low acidity and flavors of oak, hazelnut and butter?

A

classic style Chardonnay, also with peach and banana flavors

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19
Q

Which Davis zones of degree days are best for premium wine?

A

coolest (zones I to III)

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20
Q

What property of Zinfindel grape most influences the wine product?

A

a tendency to ripen unevenly

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21
Q

Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with intense red berry flavors and high alcohol level, possibly with residual sugar?

A

Zinfandel

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22
Q

Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with pale in color, fruity, low alcohol and medium sweetness?

A

Zinfandel (White Zinfandel)

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23
Q

Sauvignon Blanc in California is made in a style that is similar to what International benchmark?

A

California Sauvignon Blanc can be made in two basic styles. One is the New Zealand-style with fresh aromatics with high acid. Second is a ripe, rich, oak-aged similar to Bordeaux (Fume Blanc.)

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24
Q

What is the western boundary of Napa Valley AVA?

A

Mayacamas Mountains

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25
Q

What is the eastern boundary of Napa Valley AVA?

A

Vaca Mountains

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26
Q

What is the Davis Climate Zone of Napa Valley AVA?

A

II in the south and III in the north (thus cooler in the south with more fog as proximity to coast is a bigger factor than latitude or altitude)

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27
Q

What is the main viticultural hazard in Napa Valley

A

spring frost

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28
Q

Which California grape is most likely to produce a wine with ripe, dark cherry fruit, medium to high alcohol and soft-textured tannins?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley AVA (e.g. Rutherford AVA, Oakville AVA)

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29
Q

What are the main grapes in Carneros AVA?

A

this is a cooler AVA, best for premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (often blended for sparkling wines)

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30
Q

Name a Napa Valley AVA that does not have moderating effect of fog.

A

Mount Veeder AVA

31
Q

Which area of the California North Coast specializes in aromatic white wines?

A

Mendocino County (Anderson Valley) for Riesling and Gewurztraminer.

32
Q

What are the two main AVA’s of Santa Barbara County?

A

Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Santa Maria Valley AVA

33
Q

What is the main premium grape of Santa Barbara County?

A

Pinot Noir

34
Q

What is the main AVA of San Luis Obispo County

A

Paso Robles AVA

35
Q

What is the main premium grape of Paso Robles AVA?

A

Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon

36
Q

Name 3 AVA’s in Sonoma County.

A

Russian River Valley AVA, Alexander ValleyAVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA

37
Q

What is the main premium grape of Russian River Valley AVA?

A

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

38
Q

What is the main premium grape of Alexander Valley AVA?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

39
Q

What is the main premium grape of Dry Creek Valley AVA?

A

Zinfandel

40
Q

Name an area in California where Rhone varieties are common.

A

inland Salinas Valley of Monterey County

41
Q

What region produces 80% of California wine?

A

Central Valley Region

42
Q

Which AVA in the Central Valley Region benefits from cooling breezes of San Francisco Bay?

A

Lodi AVA (most promising area of Central Valley for fine wines)

43
Q

What is the main premium grape of Sierra Nevada Region?

A

Zinfandel and Italian varieties in Sierra Foothills AVA

44
Q

What percent of American wine is grown in California?

A

90%, a production greater than any other country outside of Europe

45
Q

Where is the hottest, driest wine region in the world?

A

California Central Valley (San Joaquin Valley)

46
Q

Name 3 American areas where high quality Pinot Noir is made.

A

Cooler regions such as Russian River Valley, Carneros and Santa Lucia Highlands (east facing vineyards in Salinas Valley)

47
Q

Where does Salinas Valley empty into ocean?

A

North of Monterrey, North Central Coast.

48
Q

What river runs through Alexander Valley?

A

Russian River

49
Q

What river runs through Russian River Valley?

A

Russian River

50
Q

What city lies within Chalk Hill AVA?

A

Windsor

51
Q

What city lies within Russian River Valley?

A

Santa Rosa

52
Q

Bodega Bay is a landmark within which AVA?

A

Sonoma Coast

53
Q

Name 4 AVA’s that border or enclose Healdsburg.

A

Dry Creek Valley, Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley

54
Q

Chalk Hill is a parcel within which AVA?

A

Russian River Valley

55
Q

Which area grows more grapes, Sonoma or Napa?

A

Sonoma

56
Q

What is the most planted grape in Sonoma?

A

Chardonnay

57
Q

What percent of California wine comes from Napa Valley/

A

4%

58
Q

What percent of the value of all California wine comes from Napa Valley?

A

20%

59
Q

What river runs through Anderson Valley in Mendocino?

A

Navarro River (not to be confused with Navarra wine region along the Ebro in Spain)

60
Q

What river runs through the Mendocino AVA?

A

Russian River

61
Q

Mount Veeder AVA is located where?

A

southwestern aspect of Napa Valley in the Mayacamas Mountains.

62
Q

What is the Davis Zone for Carneros?

A

I, very cool

63
Q

Which California North Coast area is well suited for aromatic white wine and sparkling wine?

A

Anderson Valley

64
Q

Name 3 distinct soil zones of a typical California wine producing valley.

A

valley floor, benchland and hillsides

65
Q

Order the Napa Valley areas from north to south: Calistoga, Napa, Oak Knoll District, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Yountville.

A

Callistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Oak Knoll District, Napa

66
Q

What is the best known Napa Valley AVA on the valley floor?

A

Rutherford (for Cabernet Sauvignon) {Oakville may be a close second]

67
Q

In which AVA is Silver Oak winery located?

A

Oakville!

68
Q

In which AVA is Screaming Eagle winery located?

A

Oakville

69
Q

Which aspect of Napa Valley produces “softer” wines?

A

Eastern slopes (facing West) benefit from afternoon sunlight (may result in higher alcohol)

70
Q

Name 3 AVA’s in the Mayacamas Mountains of Napa Valley.

A

(from south to north) Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain District, Diamond Mountain

71
Q

Name 2 AVA’s in the Vacas Mountains of Napa Valley.

A

(from north to south) Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak

72
Q

Where is Edna Valley?

A

San Luis Obispo County in California, southern aspect of Central Coast Region

73
Q

What is the difference between Edna Valley and Eden Valley.

A

Edna Valley is cool climate area in Central Coast California, Eden Valley is a moderate to warm climate area in Barossa Zone of South Australia (cooler areas grow Riesling) [mneumonic EdNA is Not Australia]

WSET3 (56 decks)

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