California-Central Valley and the Sierra Foothills

Question 1

Where is California’s Central Valley?

Answer 1

Between Sacramento Valley and the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Question 2

What is the climate of the Central Valley?

Answer 2

Generally divided between Region IV and Region V–temperatures more suitable for fortified wines, table grapes, and raisins.

Question 3

Gallo

Answer 3

-Brothers Ernest and Julio from the vineyards of their father, who shipped grapes for home winemaking during prohibition. On the eve of Repeal in 1933, the brothers obtained a licence to manufacture and store wine, and began rapid expansion.

-Third largest producer in the world. (Behind 1. Barefoot and 2. Concha y Toro)

-based in Modesto

Question 4

Name 3 Central Valley Giants

Answer 4

Gallo: As of 2017, the largest wine producer in the world, owner of the largest brand in the world, Barefoot.

Franzia (owned by the Wine Group): Originally part of Bronco and then sold to Coke and later the Wine Group. Third largest behind Gallo and Costellation.

Bronco Wine Company: CEO Fred Franzia, nephew of wine legend Ernest Gallo, started Bronco Wine in 1973; known for its Charles Shaw brand of varietals, commonly nicknamed “Two Buck Chuck”.

Question 5

What is the most important AVA in Central Valley?

Answer 5

Lodi

-just south of Sacramento, on the eastern edge of the Sacramento River Delta.

-20% of California’s total wine grape production.

-Slightly cooler than much of the Central Valley, due to the influence of a gap in the coastal ranges, which pulls the coastal air inland from the San Francisco Bay and over the delta.

-Home to Sutter Home and Robert Mondavi Woodbridge.

Question 6

Lodi sub-AVAs (7)

Answer 6

Alta Mesa
Borden Ranch
Mokelumne River “muh-KOLL-uh-mee”
Cosumnes River “ko-SUE-meez”
Jahant
Sloughhouse
Clements Hills.

Question 7

Where are the Sierra Foothills? What variety are they know for?

Answer 7

located to the east of Sacramento and Lodi, on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the heart of California’s 19th century gold rush territory.

-Chewy, spicy, concentrated Zinfandel, sometimes sourced from vines dating back to before Prohibition, is the Sierra Foothills’ most acclaimed style.

Question 8

Sierra Foothills sub-AVAs (5)

Answer 8

**In Shenandoah Valley (Tyson college?) playing a fiddle and a y-shaped tuba (Yuba)….find something for El Dorado??
Fair Play
El Dorado
Fiddletown
North Yuba
California Shenandoah Valley