Sonoma

Question 1

Where is Sonoma County?

Answer 1

Just north of San Francisco

Question 2

This AVA overlaps both Sonoma and Napa counties

Answer 2

Carneros AVA

Question 3

These 7 varities make up over 90% of plantings in Sonoma

Answer 3

Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Sauvignon
Zinfandel
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
Syrah

Question 4

Sonoma County’s most planted grape

Answer 4

Chardonnay

Question 5

Sonoma County’s most planted red grape

Answer 5

Pinot Noir

Question 6

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Sonoma County?

Answer 6

only in the warmest vineyards

Question 7

Sonoma CS compared to Napa CS

Answer 7

Sonoma: typically more herbaceous; more approachable when young

Question 8

Where is Zinfandel orginally from?

Answer 8

Croatia

Question 9

Zinfandel ripens differentially in the vineyard; can result in ____ & _____ characteristics in the wine

Answer 9

sweet & sour

Question 10

Syrah grown in cooler pockets in Sonoma County can produce lean, peppery style of wine similar to ….

Answer 10

Northern Rhone

Question 11

What does Semillon contribute to SB-Semillon blends?

Answer 11

fuller body, waxy texture

Question 12

What does Malbec contribute to Bordeaux blends?

Answer 12

juicy berry flavors

Question 13

this grape contributes pepperiness + violet aromas to Bordeaux blends

Answer 13

Cab Franc

Question 14

What kind of wine would you expect from Petit Syrah?

Answer 14

concentrated + inky color; signature blue fruit

Question 15

Why do you often see Italian varities in Sonoma?

Answer 15

Big wave of Italian immigrants in the 1880s

Question 16

The two influential bodies of water

Answer 16

Pacific Ocean + San Pablo Bay

Question 17

t/f: sonoma county has more varied soil types than France

Answer 17

true

Question 18

The 3 most important soils can be grouped into these 3 categories

Answer 18

Franciscan Complex (ocean floor sediment + volcanic)
Sonoma Volcanics
Wilson Grove (golden sandstone; often Burgundy varities planted on this soil)

Question 19

The climate is typically ____ in NE Sonoma

Answer 19

hotter

Question 20

Where are vineyards typically found?

Answer 20

in valleys between mountains

Question 21

Mountain range that forms border between Napa and Sonoma

Answer 21

Mayacamas

Question 22

How many AVAs are within Sonoma County?

Answer 22

18

Question 23

1st AVA of Sonoma County - established 1981

Answer 23

Sonoma Valley AVA

Question 24

Sonoma County is part of this larger AVA that contains Napa, Marin, Mendocino, Lake, and Solano counties

Answer 24

North Coast AVA

Question 25

Sonoma County mandates conjuctive labeling. What does this mean?

Answer 25

Any AVA-designated bottle must also list “Sonoma County”

Question 26

To feature an AVA on a label, __% of the grapes must be sourced from said AVA

Answer 26

85

Question 27

For generic origin labeling (eg, Sonoma County or California) what is the minimum % of grapes that must be sourced from said location?

Answer 27

75%

Question 28

For vintage-dated AVA wines, __% of grapes must be sourced from said year.

Answer 28

95

Question 29

At least __% of a wine must be made from said variety for a wine to be varietally labeled

Answer 29

75

Question 30

Minimum % requirements for grape, vintage, and source of grapes

Answer 30

vintage - 95%
grape - 75%
AVA - 85%

Question 31

Almost 90% of Sonoma’s vineyards are…

Answer 31

family owned

Question 32

Over 99% of Sonoma’s vineyards are…

Answer 32

certified sustainable

Question 33

This Fault runs thru Sonoma County

Answer 33

San Andreas Fault

Question 34

What is conjuctive labeling?

Answer 34

requirement to feature county name on any wine bottle that features an AVA

Question 35

California’s first commercial winery, founded by Agoston Haraszthy

Answer 35

Buena Vista

Question 36

What is the Petaluma Gap?

Answer 36

meterological pattern that funnels cold Atlantic air to an opening in the San Pablo Bay

Question 37

Russian River Valley yields ____ expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Answer 37

rich