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WSET Level 3 > California > Flashcards

California Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main climate determinate in California?

A

Cold ocean current. Mountains shield much of the vineyard areas from the cold current.

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2
Q

What causes the California cooling effect?

A

Cool air, with fog, drawn from the ocean in the evening, lowering nighttime temperatures. The cooling effect extends well into the day b/c of the time it take to burn off the fog. Where there are gaps in the mountains, the cooling effect can reach well inland. Valleys that lie at right angles to the ocean (Monterrey and Santa Barbara) act as funnels for the cold air. But in the Central Valley, the climate is hot.

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3
Q

Other than the ocean cooling effect, what other factor links all of California’s wine growing regions?

A

Lack of rain during the ripening season.

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4
Q

How does lack of rain during the ripening season affect California wines?

A

Growers leave grapes on the vine longer resulting in extra long “hang time”, very ripe grapes with very concentrated flavors and very high sugar levels. There is a growing trend toward freshness and picking earlier.

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5
Q

What is the most widely planted black variety?

A

Cabernet

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6
Q

Describe a typical cabernet.

A

Full-bodied, very concentrated ripe cassias flavors, prominent spice from new oak.

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7
Q

What are the 5 main black varieties?

A

Cab, Zin, Merlot, Pinot, Syrah.

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8
Q

Describe a Zin.

A

California’s “own” grape. Made in a range of styles. Ripens unevenly so that harvested grapes can include raisined and underripe grapes. Raising can conclude in concentrated, full-bodied reds with high alcohol, and small amounts of residual sugar. Both red and black fruits, dried berries and liquorice. Herbaceous if from underripe grapes.

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9
Q

What is a white Zin?

A

Rose zin from early picked grapes. Fruity, pale in color, medium sweet, low in alcohol.

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10
Q

Describe a merlot from the Central Valley

A

Approchable, soft tannins, ripe black fruit. Simple.

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11
Q

Describe a premium California Merlot.

A

Deeply colored, soft velvety tannins, luscious body, high alcohol, blackberry and plum flavors.

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12
Q

What areas are known for premium Pinot’s?

A

Russian River, Los Carneros, Santa Maria Valley. Red cherry, strawberry, sweet spice from oak, light in color, gamey, vegetal notes.

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13
Q

Describe a California Syrah.

A

Full bodied and rich; or leaner and peppery.

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14
Q

What are Californias 2 main white varieties ?

A

Chard and SauvBlanc.

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15
Q

What 2 areas are producing a restrained Chard?

A

Los Carneros and Russian River Valley.

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16
Q

Where does the best SauvBlanc come from?

A

Costal regions. High acidity, ripe citrus.

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17
Q

Where is the majority of California wine produced?

A

Central Valley. Premium wine regions are located along the coast.

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18
Q

What strongly influences the North Coast Vineyards? (Napa, Sonoma, Mendicino).

A

Ocean. Bringing fog and cool breezes through the gaps effecting the diurnal range.

19
Q

What forms the eastern and western boundaries of Napa Valley?

A

Mayacamas on the West and Vaca on the east.

20
Q

What is the most significant climate influence on Napa Valley?

A

San Pablo bay. Morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes.

21
Q

Which AVA do both Napa and Sonoma share?

A

Los Carneros. Most southerly AVA in Napa. Known for high quality Pinot and Chard.

22
Q

Name the Napa AVA’s from south to north.

A

Los Carneros, Stage Leap, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, Saint Helena and Calistoga.

23
Q

Which Napa AVA is considered to have the most power and structure?

A

Rutherford.

24
Q

What are the 2 main white grape varieties in Napa?

A

Chard and Sauv Blanc.

25
Q

Which Napa AVA’s can produce some of the most concentrated and full bodied wines in the Valley?

A

Saint Helena and Calistoga. Warmest daytime temperatures.

26
Q

What gap provides cool air to Napa?

A

Chalk Hill in the Maycamams. Helps acidity.

27
Q

What cools the vineyards not located on the valley floor?

A

Altitude.

28
Q

How do mountainside wines on the eastern side of the valley differ from those on the west?

A

Face the hot afternoon sun. Fuller bodied, higher alcohol. Both sides have greater levels of tannin and less richness than the valley floor.

29
Q

How does Chard on the mountains differ from valley floor?

A

Citrus and stone fruit with higher acidity.

30
Q

What is the name of the break in the costal range mountains in the Russian River?

A

Petaluma Gap.

31
Q

What is the Russian River known for?

A

Elegant Pinot’s, Chard’s, and sparkling wine made from both.

32
Q

What is Dry Creek Valley known for?

A

Old vine zin’s on the hillside above the fog; Sauvignon Blanc on the valley floor.

33
Q

How does Alexander Valley differ from Dry Creek?

A

Warmer, so wines are more fleshy and full bodied. Soft textured full bodied cabs, as well as international varieties.

34
Q

What influences the Sonoma Coast AVA?

A

Cold Pacific Ocean. Vineyards planted on south facing slopes to maximize ripening. Chards and old vine zins.

35
Q

Anderson Valley AVA is in which county?

A

Mendocino.

36
Q

What is Anderson Valley known for?

A

Cool. Therefore aromatic whites Riesling and Gewurztraiminer. Sparkling wines. Differs from the Mendicino AVA which is much warmer, drier, behind protected coastal hills. Makes full bodied, soft tannin reds.

37
Q

Name two AVA’s in the north part of the Central Coast?

A

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA and Monterey AVA. Hillside locations with infertile soils. Elegant cab’s, high-quality chard’s and pinot’s.

38
Q

What is the AVA on the slopes surrounding Salinas Valley in Monterey County known for high quality Chards with citrus and tropical fruit and balanced acidity?

A

Santa Lucia Highlands.

39
Q

Name two counties in the southern central coast?

A

San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Here the mountains lie east-west rather than north-south, encouraging cool ocean breezes.

40
Q

What are two AVA’s in the southern Central Coast?

A

Paso Robles and Santa Maria Valley.

41
Q

Describe Paso Robles’s two distinct zones.

A

East is hot, sunny with deep fertile soils, producing supple fruity wines for high volume brands. The West is maritime cooled and produces high quality zin’s and rhone varieties.

42
Q

What is the significantly cooler Santa Maria Valley known for?

A

Premium pinot and Chard.

43
Q

Where is the vast majority of California wine produced?

A

Central Valley. Hot, dry and irrigated. Rubired and ruby cab bred for there. Also cab, merlot, chard, colombard, chennin blanc, and Barbera.

44
Q

Where is Lodi and what is it known for?

A

Lodi AVA straddles the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys in the middle of the Central Valley. Gets cooling breezes from San Francisco Bay. Has some of the oldest zin in the state.

WSET Level 3 (28 decks)

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