USA - California Flashcards
1
Q
Which rootstock was widely planted in California in the 70s, why was it planted and why was it unsuitable?
A
- the new AXR1 rootstock
- because it gave vines higher yields
- it had some V vinifera in its DNA and so was susceptible to phylloxera when it arrived in the 80s
2
Q
Size and geography of California
A
- 80% all US: so 4th largest producer after Italy, France & Spain on its own
- 250,000 ha of vineyards along Pacific coast, interior Central Valley, up into Sierra Nevada foothills
- state’s AVAs can be grouped into
- North Coast
- Central Coast
- Inland Valleys (incl Central Valley)
- Sierra Foothills
- Southern California
3
Q
History of California’s wine to Prohibition
A
- Spanish Missionaries along coast as far north as Sonoma Valley (altar wine, sweet fortified)
- 1849 Gold Rush (population and planting explosion)
- late 19thC many of today’s regions producing wine and centre of research/ education at University of California (now based in Davis)
- By 1890s, overplanting caused drop in prices, difficult for producers to survive
- 1920-1933 Prohibiton banning manufacture, transportation, sale and possession of alcoholic beverages - devastating
4
Q
Californina wine post Prohibition to 1980s
A
- 1930s rebuilt. California “Chablis” or “Rhine” to suit medium sweet consumer preferences. (NB established brands can still use these names in domestic markets)
- “Red table wine”, then promoted by quality focussed Robert Mondavi grape variety + specific orgin
- Chardonnay & Cab Sav became predominant varieties
- Significant improvementsin growing/making many led by winemaker/consultant André Tchelistcheff eg temperature-controlled fermentation, winery hygiene, techniques to prevent disease, frost damage
- 1976 Judgement of Paris
5
Q
What was the Judgement of Paris?
A
- 1976 France v California tasting in Paris (Spurrier)
- Top scores to
- Stags Leap Cellars Cab-Sav 1973
- Ch Montelena Chardonnay 1973
- Brought attention to CA wine
6
Q
Why did the failure of AXR1 rootstock (due to phylloxera) help the Californian wine industry?
A
- that was about quantity
- when replanting post phylloxera, focus on quality
- site-selection
- choice of planting material
- canopy management
7
Q
California wine in 1990s to date
A
- 1990s deeply coloured, highly concentrated, high alcohol (consumer demand and critical acclaim - Parker)
- Whites also very ripe, heavily oaked
- nowadays more varied
- emphasis on matching grapes to terroir
- winemakers with global experience,
- highly respected local research centre in Davis
- interest in experimentation with varieties, wine-making techniques and wine styles
8
Q
One card on San Luis Obispo County
A
- Pacific coast tween Monterey & Santa Barbara Counties
- main AVAs Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande
- Paso Robles huge (250,000 ha) east is warm, west by coast cooler. Templeton Gap allows cool air inland
- Edna Valley & Arroyo Grande Valley both cooler
- Paso dominated by red, 40% Cab Sav also M, Syrah, Zin but also Rhone white and black
- Edna and Arroyo both get fog, mainly Chardonnay, PN, but some Syrah and others
9
Q
One card on Paso Robles AVA
A
- southern part of Central Coast (mountains lie east-west, not north-south, so cool ocean breezes inland (esp Templeton Gap)
- huge 250,000 ha: 11 sub AVAs incl Adelaida District AVA
- from hot valley floors, 670m altitudes, east is warm (full bodied) west by coast cooler (fresher styles)
- (rare) calcareous soils, where there’s clay, retains water, can dry farm.
- Red grapes dominate, Cab Sav 40%, also Merlot, Syrah and Zin, plus Rhone varieties, white and black
- producers incl Saxum Vineyards, Tablas Creek
10
Q
One card on Edna Valley AVA
A
- AVA within San Luis Obispo County
- one of coolest AVAs in California
- 5 miles from Pacific, valley lies NW-SE, fog and wind from Morro Bay to north
- high quality Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (stiil & sparkling)
- also Syrah, Sauvignon, Albarino, Viognier
- producers incl Alban Winery
11
Q
One card on Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
A
- AVA within San Luis Obispo County on Pacific coast
- one of cooler AVAs in California
- Valley lies NE-SW, fog & wind from ocean to southwest
- high quality Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (stiil & sparkling)
- also Syrah, Sauvignon, Albarino, Viognier
- producers incl Alban Winery
12
Q
One card on Santa Barbara County
A
- most southern part of Central Coast AVA
- 6 AVAs incl Santa Maria Valley AVA (cool, PN, Chard)
- and Santa Ynez Valley AVA (warmer - 4 sub AVAs)
- AVAs are in Transverse Ranges, east-west part of Coastal Ranges, so western side cool Pacific breeze, reducing frost/ fungal, allows longer ripening needed.
- Pinot, Chardonnay in west
- east/ warmer Syrah, Cab-Sav, Sauv-Bl, Grenache
- Significant producers Mail Road and Sine Qua Non
- law says NO cellar doors on winery, must be in town
13
Q
one card on Santa Ynez Valley AVA
A
- one of 6 AVAs in Santa Barbara County. most southern part of Central Coast AVA
- four sub AVAs
- Sta.Rita Hills (famed Pinot Noir - see sep card)
- Ballard Canyon (inland, sheltered, Syrah, Grenache
- Los Olivos District (inland on Santa Ynez river, low diurnal, little fog, Bordeaux, Rhone, Italians)
- Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara (new, east, furthest from sea, mountains shift n-s (not e-w), so block Pacific, but altitude/ afternoon winds, so high diurnal. Cab Sav, Sauvignon-Bl most planted.
14
Q
one card on Sta. Rita Hills AVA
A
- sub AVA of Santa Ynez AVA in Santa Barbara County, most southern part of Central Coast AVA
- cool temperatures & calcium rich soils
- e-w orientation, Purisima Hills north, Santa Rosa Hills south, closest to Pacific, fog, wind through Transverse Ranges. Hilly, mixed soils/terrains, varied sites
- grows Pinot Noir, Chard, Sauv B, Viognier, Syrah
- Famous for (super) premium (small supply, high demand) Pinot Noir: black cherry, black plum, tea leaf, savoury notes, med(+) to high acidity, med (+) tannins
