USA - California

Question 1

On what is based United states GI system ?

Answer 1

on the American Viticultural Area (AVA)

Question 2

What is an AVA ?

Answer 2

AVAs vary in size
Can include land in more than on state an can overlap
Federal laws specify the minimum percentage of grapes that must come from a single grape variety to allow these terms to appear on the label
Many states have their own laws that may differ

Not all wines qualify for AVA. The name of the state can appear on the label

Law is more tolenrent for labelling with vintage and goegraphical origin than with AVA status

Question 3

What is the main climatic influence on California’s wine growing regions?

Answer 3

The California Ocean Current

it’s an extremely cold Pacific Ocean current which moves down from British Columbia and directly affects the coast of California.

Question 3

Most California vineyards are protected from cold ocean currents by what geological feature?

Answer 3

Mountains - which run up most of the state’s coastline.

Without the mountains, California’s northern coast would be dramatically cooler due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The mountains help insulate California.

Question 4

What are the beneficial effects of fog created by California’s cold ocean currents?

Answer 4

The cold evening air and morning fogs that are drawn in from the ocean help to lower evening temperatures and retain acidity in the grapes.

Additionally, it takes longer for the sun to burn off the fog in the morning which extends the cooling effect well into late morning or afternoon.

This effect is so extreme that some grapes can struggle to fully ripen

Question 5

How can the cooling effect reach inland vineyard ?

Answer 5

By the valleys that lie at right angles to the ocean, which act as funnuels for the cold air

Such as Montery and Santa Barbara Counties

Question 6

What is the climate when there is no exposure ot the ocean such as in Central Valley ?

Answer 6

Hot Climate

Question 7

What climatic factor links nearly all of California’s grape growing regions?

Answer 7

Low rainfall during the ripening season.

Question 8

How do many California grape growers deal with the lack of rain during the ripening season?

Answer 8

Due to the shortage of rain in California, many grape growers use drip irrigation to make sure their vines have water during the growing season.

Question 9

What is the beneficial impact of California’s low rainfall during the ripening season?

Answer 9

Lack of rain means growers can leave their grapes on the vine late into the season, resulting in super-ripe grapes with intense flavors and elevated sugar levels.

For fresh style, growers are now picking slightly early

Question 10

What is the most planted red/black grape in California?

Answer 10

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 11

What is the most widely planted grape variety of either color in California?

Answer 11

Chardonnay

Question 12

Despite its European origin, what grape is widely considered to be a uniquely Californian grape?

Answer 12

Zinfandel

Question 13

What are the black grapes varieties grown in California ?

Answer 13

Cabernet Sauvignon
Zinfandel
merlot
Pinot Noir
Syrah

Question 14

What are the white grapes varieties grown in California ?

Answer 14

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 15

Describe the wine profile of California Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer 15

Extremly expressive, rivals the quality of the best produced anywhere
Full-bodied, concentrated ripe cassis flavours
Spice aromas from new oak barrels

Some make a less rich style with fresher flavours

Question 16

What unique characteristic of Zinfandel allows it to be produced in several kinds of styles throughout California?

Answer 16

Zinfandel has the propensity of ripening unevenly, meaning that harvested bunches almost always include both unripe and raisinated grapes (which produces both underripe and overripe flavors in the wine).

Question 17

Describe the wine profile of California Zinfandel

Answer 17

Concentrated full bodeid red wines, with high alcohol and residual sugar from raisined grapes
Herbeceaous notes from underripe grapes

Red and blakc fruits, dried berries, liquorice,

Question 18

What is White Zinfandel made from?

What is its general profile?

Answer 18

Early-harvested Zinfandel grapes

Berry-fruity
Pale pink
Medium-sweet
Low alcohol

Question 19

Which area in California has the largest plantings of Merlot?

Are these Merlots generally seen as higher quality or lesser quality than those from Napa, Sonoma or Monterey?

Answer 19

San Joaquin Valley in the Central Valley.

Merlots from San Joaquin Valley are generally seen as simple wines of lesser quality than those from Napa, Sonoma, or Monterey.

Merlots from San Joaquin are generally more affordable and meant for everyday consumption.

Question 20

Which areas in California have reputations for making distinctive Merlot with character?

Answer 20

The cooler regions of California, such as Monterey County and parts of California’s North Coast, and the warmer regions of Napa and Sonoma.

Merlot from these regions will be soft, lush, and velvety, blackberry and plum

Question 21

Which regions of California are known for producing premium Pinot Noir?

Answer 21

Best comes from moderate regions such as
Russian River Valley AVA
Los Carneros AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA

Question 22

What are the characteristics of Premium California Pinot noir?

Answer 22

light in colour with classic gamey and vegetal notes
rich layers of ripe red fruit flavours (red cherry, strawberry) and notes of vailly from oak

Question 23

What are the characteristics of California Syrahr?

Answer 23

Full bodied in rich style or
leaner more peppery styles

Question 24

Where can you find high volumes fruity Chardonnay wine with oak from chips in California ?

Answer 24

Central valley

Question 25

What is the wine profile of a premium California Chardonnay?

Answer 25

In the past : full-bodied, high alcohol, low acidity, oak, hazelnut and butter, and tropical flavours Today, Wide variety including restrained examples

Question 26

Where can you find premium Chardonnay of cooler regions in California ?

Answer 26

Lors Carneros and Russian River Valley

Question 27

Where do some choice examples of California Sauvignon Blanc come from?

Answer 27

California’s coastal areas – which promote brisk acidity and bursting citrus notes

Question 28

What does Fumé Blanc usually refer to?

Answer 28

Fumé Blanc usually refers to Sauvignon Blanc made in the United States that more than likely saw some new oak. Be careful though, some producers will use Fumé Blanc on unoaked wines as a marketing term.

Question 29

Where is the majority of California’s wine produced?

Answer 29

Central Valley The hot + dry Central Valley has very fertile soil and irrigation is widely used to increase grape yields.

Question 30

Where are located the premium wine region of California?

Answer 30

Primarily along California's coast

Question 31

Of the five winegrowing regions in California, which three contains the majority of appellations?

Answer 31

1. North Coast 2. Central Coast 3. Central Valley

Question 32

Where is located California's north coast ? describe the climate

Answer 32

North of San Francisco Bay Strongly influenced by the ocean Bringing fog and cool breezes into the valleys which influence temperatures and diurnal range

Question 33

What California AVA has been a leader in forming California’s reputation for quality wines, and has been shown to possess some of the most desirable vineyards in the United States?

Answer 33

Napa Valley AVA

Question 34

What are the two mountain ranges that flank Napa Valley?

Answer 34

Eastern side: Vaca Mountains Western side: Mayacamas Mountains These two ranges converge north of Calistoga, trapping and bottlenecking heat as cooler air pushes hot air up valley. This makes Calistoga several degrees warmer than Los Carneros, which is why Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in Calistoga and Pinot Noir is planted in Los Carneros.

Question 35

What large body of water has a significant cooling effect on Napa Valley?

Answer 35

San Pablo Bay San Pablo Bay, a continuation of San Francisco Bay which extends northward, helps usher cool Pacific afternoon breezes and morning fog moderating climate ito the south of the valley

Question 36

How long is Napa Valley? And how wide is it?

Answer 36

~50km (~31 miles) long ~5km (~3 miles) wide

Question 37

Where are vines planted in Napa Valley ?

Answer 37

on both the valley flor and valley side, divided in smaller AVA Provide a diverse range of climates and styles of wine

Question 38

Los Carneros AVA has built its reputation by producing what styles of wine?

Answer 38

elegant still Pinot Noir and Chardonnay traditional method sparkling wines

Question 39

Which valley floor AVAs of Napa Valley have built reputations for their Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 39

The warmer Stags Leap District AVA Oakville AVA Rutherford AVA

Question 40

What other grape varieties are planted in Stags Leap District AVA, Oakville AVA and Rutherford AVA?

Answer 40

Merlot , Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc (ripe tropical fruit)

Question 41

Which is the warmest, and therefore has more powered and structured wines : Stags Leap District AVA, Oakville AVA Rutherford AVA

Answer 41

Rutherford AVA wines have more power and structure

Question 42

Which AVA is shared between Napa and Sonoma?

Answer 42

Los Carneros AVA

Question 43

Which northern Napa Valley AVAs record some of Napa Valley’s highest temperatures, thereby producing some of the most concentrated wines of the Napa Valley?

Answer 43

Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA

Question 44

What are the grape varieties grown in Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA ?

Answer 44

Cabernet Sauvignon Zinfandel Syrah

Question 45

Which Napa Valley AVAs reside above the region’s fog line?

Answer 45

West Facing: **Howell Mountain AVA** Atlas Peak AVA East Facing: **Mount Veeder AVA** Diamond Mountain District AVA Spring Mountain District AVA

Question 46

How being on the valley sides above the fog layer influence the wines of Napa ?

Answer 46

They are cooled by their altitude and not by fog In the west facing vineyards: Full exposer to the hot afteroon, and warmer In general, fuller bodied, high alcohol, high tannin, less richess on the palate then on the valley floor

Question 47

What are the grape varieties grown on the valley side of Napa?

Answer 47

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc Zinfandel Chardonnay with higher levels of acidity

Question 48

Climatically, how does Sonoma County compare to Napa County?

Answer 48

Sonoma County is much larger and, because of its size, contains a greater number of climates. Generally it is greener and more lush than Napa County. Sonoma has regions that are noticeably cooler than Napa (such as Russian River Valley AVA) as well as regions that are far hotter than Napa (like Alexander Valley AVA).

Question 49

What feature allows Russian River AVA to produce its famous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?

Answer 49

An opening in the Coastal Mountain range, known as the Petaluma Gap, through which cool Pacific Ocean breezes blow. These breezes bring fog and cool air.

Question 50

Name the conditions of the vineyards and the grape variety of Russian River Valley AVA

Answer 50

Cool, foggy conditions High quality Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay As well as Sparkling wines from the sam egrape

Question 51

Q Which Sonoma AVAs to the north of Russian River AVA are known for their higher temperatures?

Answer 51

Dry Creek Valley AVA Alexander Valley AVA

Question 52

What grape varieties are well suited for Dry Creek Valley AVA ?

Answer 52

On the hillsides: Zinfandel On the valley floor: Sauvignon Blanc Rhône Varieties and Cabernet sauvignon are also popular

Question 53

The warmer Alexander Valley AvA is best known for ?

Answer 53

Soft textured, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 54

Where is located Sonoma Coast AVA?

Answer 54

Coastal area with great influence of the cold pacific ocean

Question 55

The best vineyards of the Sonoma Coast AVA all face which direction?

Answer 55

The best Sonoma Coast AVA vineyards face south. This aids ripening and provides additional sunlight hours as the Pacific Ocean has a notable cooling effect on this part of Sonoma

Question 56

Which county lies directly north of Sonoma County?

Answer 56

Mendocino County

Question 57

What cool Mendocino County AVA is known for its Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, and sparkling wines?

Answer 57

Anderson Valley AVA

Question 58

What are the grape varieties grown in Mendocino County?

Answer 58

Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, and sparkling wines

Question 59

Which AVA south of San Francisco is known for its rugged mountainside vineyards, low fertility soils,

Answer 59

**Santa Cruz Mountains AVA**

Question 60

Which hig-wuality wine is Santa Cruz Mountains AVA producing ?

Answer 60

elegant cabnernet Suavignon high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot noir

Question 61

What is the climate and the grapes of Monterey AVA

Answer 61

Strongly influenced by cold Pacidif Chardonnay and pinot planted on the cool windy coast Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are grown

Question 62

How do the mountain ranges in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties impact growing conditions?

Answer 62

Unlike other mountain ranges in California where mountains act as barriers against chilly ocean air, in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara the mountains run east to west, acting as channels which move ocean breezes through the region, bringing cooling temperatures with them.

Question 63

Which grape are benefitting from Paso Robles AVA Climate ?

Answer 63

For High volume brands: Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah High quality : Zinfandel

Question 64

What is the climate of Santa Maria Valley AVA ?

Answer 64

significantly cooler, , fog can cover vineyard during the day encouraging slow ripening

Question 65

Which grape varieties are grown in Santa Maria Valley AVA ?

Answer 65

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the cool regions as Santa Rita Hills Syrah and Bordeau varieties in waner region as Santa Ynes Valley AVa

Question 66

Which AVA spans across both the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys?

Answer 66

Lodi AVA

Question 67

The Lodi AVA is home to some of the longest lived and highest quality vines of what variety?

Answer 67

Zinfandel

Question 68

The Lodi AVA, which is situated east of the _______, receives cool breezes coming off of _______.

Answer 68

East of Sacramento Delta Breezes off San Francisco Bay These breezes are enough to help Lodi’s wines retain freshness.