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Wine Diploma > California: Sonoma County > Flashcards

California: Sonoma County Flashcards

1
Q

Name the three overarching AVAs contained within Sonoma County

A

Northern Sonoma AVA
Sonoma Coast AVA
Sonoma Valley AVA

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2
Q

If a wine comes from an AVA that sits entirely within Sonoma County, what place names must appear on the wine’s label?

A

Both Sonoma County and the name of the AVA must appear on the label

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3
Q

Which AVA separates Northern Sonoma from the Pacific coast?

A

Sonoma Coast AVA

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4
Q

What is the name of the river running through Northern Sonoma AVA?

Explain why this is important for vineyards here

A

Russian River

Flows through Northern Sonoma AVA filling underground aquifers and providing water for vineyards before flowing out to the Pacific

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5
Q

Name the 7 smaller AVAs within Northern Sonoma AVA?

A 
Alexander Valley AVA
Knights Valley AVA
Rock Pile AVA
Chalk Hill AVA
Russian River Valley AVA
Green Valley AVA (within Russian River Valley)
Dry Creek Valley AVA
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6
Q

Alexander Valley AVA is in the ____ ____ corner of Sonoma County.

Its warm climate is moderated by cool Pacific air funnelled in through the ____ ____ and _____ _____ ____ to the south

A

North east corner

Pacific air funnelled in through the Petluma Gap and Russian River Valley

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7
Q

Where are vineyards typically planted in Alexander Valley AVA?

At what elevations?

A

Valley floor

West / south west facing slopes and benches of Mayacamas mountains

100m to 750m

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8
Q

How do soils differ in Alexander Valley AVA?

A

Mixed
Greater fertility on valley floors
Low nutrient sand and gravel at higher altitudes

More tannic and structured wines come from higher altitudes

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9
Q

What is the average rainfall in Alexander Valley AVA?

A

800mm per year

Most falls in winter

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10
Q

What is the most planted grape in Alexander Valley AVA?

Give a typical tasting note, noting quality and price

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

Pronounced
Ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, dried herb, chocolate
Medium (+) acidity
Full body
Medium to high alcohol
Good to outstanding
Mid to premium priced
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11
Q

Name the AVA.

  • The furthest inland AVA in North Sonoma
  • Separated from the northern end of Napa County by the Mayacamas Mountains
  • One of the warmest areas in Sonoma County
  • Surrounded by hills and sheltered from cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean
  • Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted grape
A

Knights Valley AVA

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12
Q

What soils and temperatures in Knights Valley AVA make it ideal for producing a ripe, full bodied style of Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Warm temperatures

Free draining volcanic soils

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13
Q

What varieties is Dry Creek Valley AVA best known for?

A

Zinfandel

Sauvignon Blanc

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14
Q

Mountains on either side of Dry Creek Valley funnel cool air and fogs in from what bay?

When do these fogs and breezes occur and what effect do they have?

A

San Pablo Bay

Usually in the mornings and evenings, giving cooler nights, helping retention of acidity

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15
Q

Is the south or north of Dry Creek Valley AVA cooler? Why?

A

South - despite latitude, there is more cooling influence from fogs and breezes off San Pablo Bay.

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16
Q

Describe what soils you might find in Dry Creek Valley AVA and where

A

Mixed

Gravelly loam on the valley floor

Red clay loam on slopes and benches

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17
Q

Where would you expect fresher styles of Zinfandel to come from in Dry Creek Valley AVA?

Riper styles?

A

Fresher styles:
From east facing slopes or south of the appellation

Riper styles:
From west facing slopes or north of the appellation

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18
Q

How might Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley AVA be matured?

What quality price would you expect for Zinfandel wines from this region?

A

In oak, typically with a proportion of new wood. American wood is common.

Good to outstanding, mid-priced to premium

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19
Q

Which AVA is in the northern part of Sonoma County, overlapping with Dry Creek Valley AVA and extending up to Mendocino County?

A

Rockpile AVA

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20
Q

Other than geographical location, what other stipulations are there for vineyards to be included in the Rockpile AVA?

A

Vineyards must be above 250m altitude to be included

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21
Q

What is the name of the lake that heavily influences the climate in Rockpile AVA?

How does this effect the temperature in the vineyards?

A

Lake Sonoma

It creates an inversion layer - layer of the atmosphere in which the temperature stops decreasing with elevation and instead becomes warmer.

This helps keep the vineyards relatively warm throughout the night

22
Q

Why does fog from the nearby lake generally not affect vineyards in Rockpile AVA?

A

Vineyards are at elevations over 250m, meaning they are above the fog line - vines receive long sunshine hours

23
Q

Explain why yields in Rockpile are generally low and fruit is ripe and concentrated

A
  • Shallow hillside soils hold little water

- Windy conditions lead to high rates of evapotranspiration

24
Q

What grapes are commonly planted in Rockpile AVA?

A 
Zinfandel
Petite Sirah
Cab Sauvignon
Cab Franc
Merlot
Petit Verdot
Some Douro varieties
25
Q

Describe the climate in Russian River Valley AVA

A

Ranges from warm to moderate: both flat and hilly topography influence the climate

26
Q

Where would you find the coolest parts of the Russian River Valley AVA?

A

South and west

Fog and wind is funnelled in through the Petluma gap

27
Q

The Petluma Gap is a break in which mountain range?

A

Northern Coast Range

28
Q

What are the most planted grape varieties in Russian River Valley AVA?

A

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

29
Q

Describe what type of soils you might find in Russian River Valley AVA

A

Range
Generally free draining and low in nutrients
Lower vigour and yields

30
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a Russian River Valley AVA Pinot Noir

A 
Ripe strawberry, cherry, vanilla spice
Medium (+) acidity
Medium tannin
Medium to medium (+) body
Good to outstanding
Mid-priced to super premium
31
Q

Give a typical tasting note for a Russian River Valley AVA Chardonnay

A 
Peach, pineapple, cream, spice (MLF and oak)
Medium (+) acidity
Medium to medium (+) body
Good to outstanding
Mid-priced to super premium
32
Q

Where would you find the warmest parts of Russian River Valley AVA?

Why?

What grapes are grown here?

A

Northeast

Vineyards are sheltered from from fog and breeze

Cab Sauv
Merlot
Zinfandel
Riper styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

33
Q

The sub AVA Green Valley is contained within which larger AVA?

A

Russian River Valley AVA

34
Q

Describe the soils found in Green Valley

A

Free draining, low nutrient sandstone
Limit vigour
Small concentrated berries

35
Q

Compare Pinot Noir styles from Green Valley and Russian River Valley AVA

A
  • Green Valley wines tend to have higher acidity and fresher fruit flavours
36
Q

Explain why Green Valley vineyards are subject to some of the coolest conditions in north California

A

It is next to the Petluma Gap

First vineyards to gain fog in the afternoon and the last place it remains in the mornings

37
Q

What are the main varieties grown in Chalk Hill AVA?

A

Chardonnay
Cab Sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc

38
Q

Which AVA runs from Mendocino in the north, along the Pacific, down to Marin County and San Pablo bay in the south?

A

Sonoma Coast AVA

39
Q

Name two AVAs included in Sonoma Coast AVA

A

Petluma Gap AVA

Fort Ross Sea View AVA

40
Q

Describe what growing conditions you might expect in Sonoma Coast AVA and how this might affect fruit grown here

A

Exposed to fog and breeze in west

Cool, breezy conditions mean that fruit set is often disrupted, meaning low yields

Sunshine is limited by fog

41
Q

Other than geographical location, what other stipulations are there for vineyards to be included in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA?

A

Vineyards must be 280m above sea level

42
Q

Describe the growing conditions in Fort Ross Seaview AVA

A

Vineyards are 280m above sea level
Fog doesn’t affect vineyards here
Long hours of sunshine and warmth
Moderating factors include coastal winds and altitude

43
Q

Describe the location and growing conditions in Petluma Gap AVA

A

Extends from the Petluma Gap to the San Pablo Bay

Open to the coast at both ends

High speed winds: lower temperature and slow ripening by causing the stomata to close

44
Q

What grapes are grown in Petluma Gap AVA?

A

75% Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Syrah

45
Q

Name the three smaller sub AVAs encompassed by Sonoma Valley AVA

A

Sonoma Mountain AVA
Bennett Valley AVA
Carneros AVA

46
Q

Where is Sonoma Mountain AVA located?

A

Western side of Sonoma Valley AVA

47
Q

Explain where most vineyards are planted in Sonoma Mountain AVA.

How does this effect the climate and conditions for grape growing?

A

Most are on east facing steep slopes of the Sonoma Mountain Range

Up to 730m above the fog line

Intense sunshine and warm day time temperatures
Ripe flavour and tannin, deep colour

Cold air descending the mountain gives cool nights and slows ripening

48
Q

Describe the soils in Sonoma Mountain AVA.

A

Volcanic, free draining and low in nutrients, controlling vigour and yield

49
Q

What are the most planted grape varieties in Sonoma Mountain AVA?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

Followed by Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah

50
Q

Where might you find some white grapes planted in Sonoma Mountain AVA?

Which varieties?

A

To the west, on cooler sites where there is some coastal influence.

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

51
Q

What are the key varieties in Bennett Valley AVA?

A

Syrah
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

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