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WSET 3 > USA-(California) > Flashcards

USA-(California) Flashcards

(50 cards)

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1
Q

Where are most of the vineyards located?

A

North of LA

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2
Q

Where do valleys act as funnels for cold air?

A

Valleys that lie at right angles to the ocean such as those in Monterey and Santa Barbra Counties

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3
Q

What is a major concern during ripening season?

A

Water shortages
Drip irrigation is widely practiced

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4
Q

Most planted black grape in Cali?

A

Cab Sauv

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5
Q

Cab Sauv characteristics?

A

Full body
Concentrated ripe cassis flavors
Spice aromas from new oak barrels

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6
Q

What is California’s “own” grape variety?

A

Zinfandel

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7
Q

Zinfandel characteristics?

A

-Can ripen unevenly
Raisining-Concentrated, full body, high alcohol, red and black fruit, dried berries, licorice

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8
Q

What is wine Zinfandel?

A

Rose
Made from early picked grapes
Fruit, pale, medium sweet, low alcohol

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9
Q

Where are the largest plantings of Merlot?

A

San Joaquin in Central Valley
Simple/inexpensive wines

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10
Q

Where do better quality Merlots come from?

A

Cooler sites
Monterey and North coast regions (Napa, Sonoma)
Soft/velvet tannins
Luscious body
High alcohol
Blackberry/plum flavours

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11
Q

Where does premium Pinot Noir come from?

A

Russian River Valley
Los Carneros
Santa Maria Valley

Some=Light color/game/vegetal notes

Some=Rich ripe red fruit flavours, vanilla from oak maturation

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12
Q

Where is Syrah made?

A

Across the state

Full bodied/rich

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13
Q

Most planted white?

A

Chardonnay

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14
Q

Central Valley Chardonnay?

A

Inexpensive, high volume
Fruity
Low-med acid
Sometimes toasty note from oak staves of chips

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15
Q

Cooler region Chardonnay?

A

Los Carneros
Russian River Valley
Premium, more restrained using less oak

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16
Q

Best Sauv B?

A

Coastal regions
High acid, ripe citrus flavors

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17
Q

What is Fume Blanc?

A

Oaked style of Sauv B, but some use this term for unoaked wines

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18
Q

Where is the majority of wine produced?

A

Central Valley where soil is very fertile and irrigation is used to increase yield

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19
Q

North Coast climate?

A

Influenced by ocean, which brings fog and cool breezes

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20
Q

What does the North Coast consist of in Napa County?

A

NAPA COUNTY
Napa Valley AVA
Los Carneros AVA
Stags Leap District
Oakville
Rutherford
Saint Helena AVA
Calistoga AVA
Howell Mountain AVA
Mount Veeder AVA

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21
Q

Most significant influences in Napa County?

Study These Flashcards
A

Morning fog
Cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay

22
Q

Most Southerly Vineyard area on the valley floor?

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A

Los Carneros AVA

High quality PN and Chardonnay (still and traditional method sparkling)

23
Q

Premium Cab Sauv areas?

Study These Flashcards
A

Stags Leap District
Oakville
Rutherford

24
Q

What other grapes are planted in Stags District, Oakville, Rutherford?

Study These Flashcards
A

Merlot
Sauv B, Chardonnay– Ripe tropical fruit flavors

25
In the North of the valley what 2 AVAs receive the warmest daytime temps?
Saint Helena AVA Calistoga AVA *Can produce some of the most concentrated full bodied wines in the valley
26
Grapes grown in Saint Helena and Calistoga?
Cab Sauv is focus Zinfandel and Syrah
27
Are West facing vineyards such as Howell Mountain AVA warmer than East facing vineyards such as Mount Veeder AVA?
Yes they are, they get full exposure to the afternoon sun Fuller bodied wines/higher alcohol in West
28
How do the reds of the valley sides differ from those of the valley floor?
Valley side reds tend to have greater levels of tannin, less richness on the palate
29
Main reds on Valley sides? Main white?
Cab Sauv Merlot, Cab Franc, Zin grown depending on location Chardonnay- Citrus, stone fruit, higher levels of acid than those on Valley floor
30
What does the North coast consist of in Sonoma and Mendocino County?
Russian River Valley AVA Dry Creek Valley AVA Alexander Valley AVA Sonoma Coast AVA
31
Is Sonoma County larger than Napa County?
Yes, with a larger variety of climates
32
What is Russian River Valley AVA known for?
Cool/foggy High quality, elegant PN and Chardonnay Sparkling wines from same grape varieties
33
What is Dry Creek Valley AVA known for?
Hillsides above the fog layer- High quality, old vine Zin Valley floor- Sauv B Some Rhone varieties and Cab Sauv
34
What is Alexander Valley AVA known for?
Warmer More fleshy/full bodied wines Soft textured/full bodied Cab Sauv Some international varieties
35
Climate of Sonoma Coast AVA?
Influenced by cold Pacific Ocean Vineyards on south facing slopes to help maximize ripening
36
What is Sonoma Coast AVA known for?
High quality Chardonnays Old vine Zinfandel
37
What does Mendocino County include?
The very cold Anderson Valley AVA---Source of grapes for aromatic whites such as Riesling and Gew, and sparkling
38
What does the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA include?
Hillside locations with infertile soils
39
What is produced in Santa Cruz Mountains AVA?
Some of Cali's most elegant Cab Sauv High quality Chard and Pinot Noir
40
What is the Monterey AVA influenced by?
Pacific Ocean
41
What is planted in Monterey AVA?
Closer to coast where strong cool winds blow in- Chard and Pinot Noir Further along valley where cool winds are less evident- Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah
42
What does the Central Coast include?
Santa Cruz mountains and Monterey -Santa Cruz Mountains AVA -Monterey AVA San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties -Paso Robles AVA -Santa Maria Valley AVA
43
What is Paso Robles AVA known for?
Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah
44
Climate in Paso Robles AVA?
East-Hot, sunny, deep fertile soils, making fruity wines for high volume brands West- Cooled by marine air, high quality Zin and Rhone varieties
45
Santa Maria Valley AVA climate?
Much cooler Premium PN and Chardonnay
46
What does the Central Valley include?
Lodi
47
Where does vast majority of Cali wine come from?
Central Valley
48
Climate in Central Valley
Hot, dry, irrigation is used
49
Grapes grown in Central Valley?
Rubired, Rubi Cabernet Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chard Coombard, Chenin B, Barbera
50
What is Lodi known for?
Some of the oldest and best Zinfandel vineyards

WSET 3 (37 decks)

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