California Flashcards
Usa (33 cards)
What are the main factors affecting climate in California?
1- Exceptionally cold California Ocean Current(coming from Pacific Ocean)
2- The north of Los Angeles the coast line of California is mountainous. These mountains shield much of the state from the cooling effect of the ocean; however in some areas that are affected, the cooling effect can be marked.
3- Cold air, often accompanied by fogs, that I’d drawn from the ocean in the evening, lowering night time temperatures.
4-The time it takes for the sun to burn off the fog in the morning means that the cooling effect extends well into the day.
5- the cooling effect can be so dramatic, that in certain years, grapes can struggle to fully ripen
What are the two main risk factors in California that grape growers need to combat?
- Colling effect cause by the California Ocean Current and fogs
- Lack of rain during the ripening season (drip irrigation is widely practised)
Beneficial factors of California climate?
Low rainfall in the fall allows grape growers to leave the grapes in vines for a longer period of time. This extra ‘hang time’s results in very ripe grapes with very concentrated flavours and very high sugar levels.
What’s the shift in trend that affect grape harvest time?
More recently, there has been an appreciation of freshness, and many growers are now picking their grapes earlier.
How would you describe Californian Cabernet Sauvignon?
One of the best regions in the world for Cabernet Sauvignon production.
Extremely expressive, full-bodied, with very concentrated ripe cassis flavours and prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels.
Some producers choose to make their Cabernet Sauvignon in less rich style, with fresher blackcurrant flavours.
What is special about Zinfandel grapes?
Zinfandel grapes tend to ripen unevenly, when harvested fruit can sometimes include both raisined and underripe fruit.
Where does the best quality Merlot come from?
Better-quality Merlots now come from cooler sites such as Monterey and The North Coast regions, especially Napa and Sonoma.
These deeply coloured wines have soft, velvety tannins, a luscious body, high alcohol and classic varietal flavours of blackberry and plum.
Where does premium Pinot Noir come from?
Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Santa Maria Valley.
Styles range widely, according to the vineyard and winemaking practices. Some are light in colour, with classic gamey and vegetal notes, although most show rich layers of ripe black fruit flavours and notes of sweet spice from oak maturation.
What region produces large volumes of inexpensive, simple Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay wines?
San Joaquin, Central Valley
Where does premium Chardonnay come from?
What is the recent change in style?
Premium Chardonnay comes from Los Carneros and Russian River Valley. Premium Chardonnay now uses less oak ageing made from grapes in cooler regions.
Where is best Sauvignon Blanc grown?
Quality Sauvignon Blanc comes from coastal regions, giving wines with high acidity and ripe citrus flavour.
What term is used to indicate an Oaked style of Sauvignon Blanc?
Fumé Blanc
What makes Central Valley ideal for high volume production?
- very fertile soil
- irrigation is also used to increase yield
Three major regions of California
North Coast
Central Coast
Central Valley
Climate of North Coast
- Strongly influenced by the ocean
- Fogs and cool breezes that flow through the gaps in the coastal ranges and river valleys
- This affects the average temperatures and diurnal ranges that determine grape plantings
Three main sub-regions within the North Coast
Napa County
Sonoma County
Mendocino County
AVA’s within Napa County, producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District Oakville Rutherford Saint Helena Calistoga Howell Mountain Mount Veeder
The most significant influences on Napa County climate?
Morning fogs and San Pablo Bay. Rutherford
Oakville and Stags Leap District have less ifluence which results in most powerful reds, e.g. Cabernet Savignon. While Los Carneros has more influence of San Pablo Bay which makes it ideal for production of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
These AVAs withing Napa Valley receive the warmest daytime temperatures, producing some of the most concentrated, full-bodied wines in the valley.
What grapes are grown here?
Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA
Zinfandel, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Which county recieved more fog?
Sonoma County
What climate and geography specifications make Russian River Valley ideal for premium Chardonnay, sparkling wine and Pinot Noir production?
Due to a break in the coastal ranges (known as Petaluma Gap) the Russian River Valley AVA has very cool, foggy conditions.
AVA within Sonoma County producing a high-quality old vine Zinfandel. What are the special growing conditions?
Dry Creek Valley AVA is warmer that Russian Diver Valley AVA.
Planting of Zinfandel are located on the hillsides that are above the fog layer.
A warmer AVA of Sonoma County that produces more fleshy and full-bodied wines. It has built reputation for soft-textured, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alexander Valley AVA
AVA within Sonoma County that’s greatly influenced by the cold Pacific Ocean and the vineyards are often planted on South facing slopes to help maximise ripening.
Sonoma Coast AVA
