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Wset 3 > California > Flashcards

California Flashcards

1
Q

Name important climatic and geographic factors in California

A

Coasts have warm-Mediterranean climate
California Ocean Current and fogs are cooling factors
Coastal ranges shield inland where the climate is hot and dry

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2
Q

What is the main natural hazard for viticulture in California?
How do grape growers tackle with this issue?

A

Water shortages due to lack of rain during the ripening season.
Drip irrigation is widely practised.

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3
Q

What is the implication of scarce autumn rain for harvesting in CA?

A

The scarcity of autumn rain allow growers to leave the grapes on the vine long into the season.
This extra ‘hang time’ results in very ripe grapes with very concentrated flavours and very high sugar levels. More recently, there has been a greater appreciation of freshness, and many growers are now picking slightly earlier.

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4
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in California?

A

Chardonnay

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5
Q

Describe Chardonnay wine from the Central Valley

A

Inexpensive, high-volume wines from the Central Valley tend to be fruity with low to medium acidity and sometimes a toasty note from oak staves or chips.

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6
Q

Regions with high reputation for Chardonnay in Sonoma

A

Los Carneros

Russian River Valley

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7
Q

How does traditional high quality Chardonnay wines differ from styles of cooler regions in CA?

A

High-quality California Chardonnay had a reputation for being very full-bodied, high in alcohol and low in acidity, with obvious flavours of oak, hazelnut and butter underpinning the peach and banana fruit flavours.
Cooler regions such as Los Carneros and Russian River Valley make more restrained examples with less oak.

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8
Q

What is the most widely planted black grape in California?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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9
Q

Describe a typical premium California Cabernet Sauvignon wine

A

Full-bodied, with very concentrated ripe cassis flavours and prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels.

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10
Q

Name the classical region for Cabernet Sauvignon in California.

A

Napa Valley

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11
Q

Name the natural factors that make Napa a prominent region for Cabernet Sauvignon.

A

Cabernet Sauvignon vines are best suited for a sunny, warm climate.
Napa Valley is in a buffer zone between the Vaca Mountains to the east, which separate it from the northern part of hot Central Valley and the Mayacamas to the west, which keep at bay the cool ocean breezes of the coast.
Several cooling influences such as fogs and cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay to the south, cool air through the Chalk Hill gap in the north and altitude help to moderate temperatures of the vineyards and allow a slower ripening while maintaining acidity.

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12
Q

Why are some vineyards located above the fog ling in Napa Valley? What is the impact on the wines?

A

Many of the vineyards on the valley sides lie above the fog layer, and are cooled by their altitude, rather than fog influence.
Sunshine hours are greater and west facing vineyards such as those of Howell Mountain AVA get full exposure to the hot afternoon sun, giving fuller-bodied wines with higher alcohol levels.

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13
Q

While both Bordeaux and Napa Valley are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon wines, they do it in quite different climates. Compare and explain different climatic characteristics that enable successful growing of Cabernet Sauvignon in these regions.

A

Napa Valley is warmer than Bordeaux. Both regions have moderating influence from the sea but for opposite reasons:
Bordeaux’s climate is moderated by warming influence of Gulf Stream.
Cool Pacific breezes and fog funnel into Napa Valley from the San Pablo Bay in the south and breaks in the mountains near Calistoga in the north, providing relief from high daytime temperatures.
Bordeaux has relatively low daytime temperatures and vineyards need heat retaining gravel soil to reliably ripen Cabernet Sauvignon.

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14
Q

How are natural risks differ in Bordeaux compared to Napa Valley?

A

Bordeaux is substantially more humid than Napa Valley with much greater rainfall during the growing season, leading to potential risks of rot disease, disruption in flowering and dilution of flavours at harvest. Variation in weather can drive large differences in wine quality from one vintage to another.
Napa has long, dry and warm growing season, mostly consistent every year. Ocassionally spring frosts can be a risk.

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15
Q

Compare wines from Cabernet Sauvignon grown on hillsides with those from valley floors of Napa.

A

On the hillsides, the wines are typically fuller in body, higher in alcohol with greater levels of tannin, but less richness on the palate compared to valley floors.
On the valley floor, Napa produces a Usually well rounded with more refined flavor profiles along with fine integrated tannins more elegant and supple style of wine, with more approachable tannins.

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16
Q

Explain why wines from Cabernet Sauvignon grown on hillsides generally become approachable later than those from valley floors of Napa.

A

Overall the red wines of the valley sides tend to have greater levels of tannin, while valley floor examples have rounder, finer integrated tannins.

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17
Q

Compare a classic red wine from Bordeaux and Napa Valley

A

In practice, Bordeaux reds are nearly always blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

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18
Q

What are the warmest and coolest AVAs of Napa Valley? What are the main grapes grown?

A 
Rutherford (Cab Sauvs with most power and structure)
Los Carneros (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for still as well as traditional method sparkling wines)
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19
Q

Which Sonoma AVA has built a reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Alexander Valley AVA, warmest in Sonoma.

Built a reputation for soft-textured, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons.

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20
Q

Grape varieties of Dry Creek Valley AVA

A

The hillsides above the fog layer are home to high quality old vine Zinfandels, whereas the valley floor vineyards are better suited to Sauvignon Blanc. Rhone varieties and Cabernet Sauvignon are also popular.

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21
Q

Wines of Russian River Valley

A

High-quality, elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, as well as sparkling wines from the same grape varieties

22
Q

Describe climate of Russian River Valley of Sonoma County

A

Due to a break in the coastal ranges (known as the Petaluma Gap) the Russian River Valley AVA has very cool, foggy conditions.

23
Q

Best vineyard sites in Sonoma Coast AVA

A

The climate is greatly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean and the vineyards are often planted on south facing slopes to help maximise ripening.

24
Q

Compare Anderson Valley AVA with the greater larger Mendocino AVA in terms of climate and grapes grown

A

Anderson Valley AVA is very cool and therefore a source of grapes for aromatic white wines such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer, as well as sparkling wines.
The larger Mendocino AVA experiences much warmer, drier conditions, protected behind coastal hills that rise up to 900 meters. The wines here are full bodied with soft tannins and are often made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah.

25
Q

How San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties mainland are cooled?

A

Here the mountains lie east-west, rather than north-south, thus encouraging the flow of cool ocean breezes onto the mainland.

26
Q

Grape varieties of Paso Robles AVA

A

Notable plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
The east experiences hot, sunny weather and has deep fertile soils producing supple fruity wines for high -volume brands.
Cooler west has a reputation for high-quality Zinfandel and Rhone varieties.

27
Q

Describe climate of Santa Maria Valley AVA and main grape varieties

A

Cool; in low-lying areas fog can cover the vineyards during the day, encouraging a slow ripening process, and yielding wines with concentrated fruit flavours balanced by high acidity.
Well suited to growing premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

28
Q

Climate, natural hazards and grapes grown in the Central Valley

A

Mostly hot and dry; irrigation is widely practised
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay are widely planted as well as Colombard, Chen in Blanc and Barbera.
Produces the vast majority of Californian wine, much of which is used in high-volume, inexpensive brands

29
Q

How is Lodi’s climate differnet from that of Central Valley?

What is the grape speciality?

A

Lodi lies east of the huge Sacramento Delta and thus benefits each day from the cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay.
Most varieties are grown, but Lodi is home to some of the oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards in the state.

30
Q

Compare styles of Cabernet Sauvignon from California and Bordeaux

A

CA: Full-bodied, with very concentrated ripe cassis flavors and prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels.
Bordeaux:

31
Q

What is regarded as California’s ‘own’ grape variety?

A

Zinfandel

32
Q

Describe characteristics of Zinfandel grape and the resulting wines.

A

Zinfandel has a tendency to ripen unevenly, with the consequence that the harvested fruit can sometimes include both raisined and underripe grapes.
The raisining can result in concentrated, full-bodied red wines with high alcohol levels, sometimes with small amounts of residual sugar.
Flavours include red and black fruits, dried berries, and liquorice.
Some can display a subtle herbaceous quality from underripe grapes.

33
Q

Describe White Zinfandel

A

Rose wine made from early-picked Zinfandel grapes. Typically fruity, pale in colour, medium -sweet and low in alcohol.

34
Q

Where does premium Pinot Noir come from in California?

A

Russian River Valley
Los Carneros
Santa Maria Valley

35
Q

Describe Pinot Noir wine in California

A

Most show rich layers of ripe red fruit (red cherry, strawberry) and notes of sweet spice from oak maturation
Some are light in color, with classic gamey and vegetal notes

36
Q

What is the name of the Mountain Range that cuts down the western side of Washington and Oregon?

A

Cascade Mountains

37
Q

Where is the Wilamette Valley Located?

How is the climate like?

A

West of the Cascade Mountains

  • Moderate Climate
  • Mostly dry with long sunny days and cool nights
  • Cooling breezes from the Pacific
  • Growing season is mostly dry with long sunny days and cool nights.
38
Q

Name most planted red and white grapes in the Wiilamette Valley

A
  • Pinot Noir

- Pinot Gris

39
Q

Describe style of Pinot Noir made in Willamette Valley

A
  • Ripe Red Fruit, hint of cinnamon spice

- High Acidity

40
Q

Describe style of Pinot Gris made in Willamette

A

Dry

Fruity

41
Q

Where does California produce better quality Merlots?

Describe the wine

A

Better quality Merlots come from cooler sites such as Monterey and the North Coast regions, especially Napa and Sonoma.
Deeply coloured wines with soft, velvety tannins, a luscious body, high alcohol and classic varietal flavours of blackberry and plum.
(San Joaquin in Central Valley has the largest plantings, making simple, inexpensive wines)

42
Q

Where does Sauvignon Blanc thrive in California ?

Describe the wine

A

The best Sauvignon Blanc comes from California’s coastal regions, giving wines with high acidity and ripe citrus flavours.
(Affordable, fruity, everyday wines come from warmer regions such as the Central Valley.)

43
Q

Which grapes are grown in Southern Oregon?

A

Both cool and warm climate varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Syrah.

44
Q

Describe the climate and natural hazards of Columbia Valley

A

Columbia Valley AVA has consistent summer temperatures, long daylight hours followed by cool nights.
Lies in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains making irrigation with river water a necessity.
A major problem of the region is winter freeze, which may reduce crop volumes by half or more.

45
Q

What are the two most important red wines of the Columbia Valley and their styles?

A

Plummy, full-bodied Merlot and elegant, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon are the most important red wines. (Full-bodied, intensely concentrated Syrah is also produced.)

46
Q

What is the most planted white variety of Columbia Valley?

A

Chardonnay is the most planted white variety making fruity wines often with some toasty notes from oak.

47
Q

Where is Riesling popular outside CA on the west Coast?

Describe the wine

A

Columbia Valley

Typically made in a dry style with ripe stone fruit flavours.

48
Q

What are the most widely planted varieties of V. Vinifera in New York?

A

Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

49
Q

What is the most important region for wine grape growing in New York?

A

Finger Lakes AVA

50
Q

Describe climatic factors in Finger Lakes AVA

A

The deep glacial lakes in this region store heat well into November, raising the air temperature of the surrounding vineyards and extending the growing season.

51
Q

What are the most widely planted varieties in Finger Lakes AVA?

A

Finger Lakes AVA is most noted for the quality of its perfumed Rieslings.
Slso produces Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay, as well as a number of American varieties and hybrids.

Wset 3 (16 decks)

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