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Questions and Answers
What is the main influence on the climate in California?
Which grape variety is known for its uneven ripening?
What is the characteristic of Merlot wines from San Joaquin in Central Valley?
Which of the following regions is known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir?
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What is the characteristic of Fumé Blanc?
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What are the most significant influences on the climate in Napa County?
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Which AVA is known for its elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
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What is the characteristic of wines produced in Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA?
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Which AVA is well suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir due to its cool climate?
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What is the Finger Lakes AVA known for?
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Which of the following AVAs is known for producing high-quality Riesling?
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Which grape variety is commonly found in Monterey AVA?
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Which of the following Napa County AVAs is warm enough to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon?
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Which Sonoma County AVA is known for its high-quality old vine Zinfandel?
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Which of the following AVAs is known for producing some of the most elegant Cabernet Sauvignon?
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What is a characteristic of Chardonnay wines from Central Valley?
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Which red grape variety is known for its soft tannins and ripe black fruit flavors?
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What is a characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc wines from California?
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Which of the following grape varieties is made in a full-bodied, rich style in California?
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Which of the following regions is known for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon?
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What is a characteristic of Pinot Gris wines from Oregon?
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Which white wine variety is the most planted in Columbia Valley AVA?
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What is a characteristic of Riesling wines from Niagara Peninsula DVA?
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Which red wine variety is made in the Southern Oregon AVA?
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What is the name of Canada's appellation system?
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Study Notes
California Wine Regions
- California produces a diverse range of wine styles, from rich and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon to elegant Pinot Noir.
- The cold California Ocean Current influences the climate, with cold air and fog drawn in from the ocean, lowering night-time temperatures.
Climate
- The climate varies depending on exposure to the ocean, with areas like Central Valley being hot and dry.
- Coastal regions experience a cooler climate, making them suitable for growing different grape varieties.
Grape Varieties and Winemaking
Black Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon: most widely planted black grape in California, producing full-bodied wines with concentrated ripe cassis flavors and prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels.
- Zinfandel: ripens unevenly, producing concentrated, full-bodied red wines with high alcohol levels and flavors of red and black fruit, dried berries, and liquorice.
- Merlot: produces soft-tannined wines with ripe black fruit flavors, with higher quality wines coming from cooler sites like Monterey, Napa, and Sonoma.
- Pinot Noir: produces light-colored wines with gamey and vegetal notes, although most show layers of ripe red fruit and notes of sweet spice from oak maturation.
- Syrah: made in a full-bodied, rich style.
White Grapes
- Chardonnay: inexpensive, high-volume wines from Central Valley tend to be fruity with low to medium acidity, while premium Chardonnay from cooler regions like Los Carneros and Russian River Valley use less oak.
- Sauvignon Blanc: produces high-acidity wines with ripe citrus flavors, with Fumé Blanc indicating an oaked Sauvignon Blanc.
Regions
Napa County
- Influenced by morning fogs and cool afternoons breezes from San Pablo Bay, moderating temperatures.
- Los Carneros AVA is the most southerly vineyards, cool enough for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- AVAs like Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville, and Rutherford are warm enough to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA produce the most concentrated, full-bodied wines in the valley, focused on Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sonoma and Mendocino Counties
- Russian River Valley AVA has cool, foggy conditions, producing high-quality, elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- Dry Creek Valley AVA is home to high-quality old vine Zinfandel, and valley floor vineyards are better suited to Sauvignon Blanc.
- Alexander Valley AVA is warmer, producing fleshier and more full-bodied wines, with a reputation for soft-textured, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
Other Regions
- Santa Cruz Mountains AVA produces elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
- Monterey AVA has a significant planting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
- Paso Robles AVA is notable for its planting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and high-quality Zinfandel.
- Santa Maria Valley AVA is significantly cooler, suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with concentrated fruit flavors and high acidity.
- Finger Lakes AVA is known for its perfumed Rieslings, as well as producing Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay.
California Regions
- Napa County:
- Influenced by morning fogs and cool afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay
- Los Carneros AVA: cool enough for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Stags Leap District, Yountville, Oakville, and Rutherford AVAs: warm enough to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon
- Saint Helena AVA and Calistoga AVA: produce concentrated, full-bodied wines focused on Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sonoma and Mendocino Counties:
- Russian River Valley AVA: cool, foggy conditions, known for high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- Dry Creek Valley AVA: home to high-quality old vine Zinfandel
- Alexander Valley AVA: warmer, with wines tend to be fleshier and more full-bodied
- Santa Cruz Mountains AVA: moderate climate, producing elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir
- Monterey AVA: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are heavily planted, with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah also grown
- Paso Robles AVA: notable planting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and high-quality Zinfandel
- Santa Maria Valley AVA: cool, well-suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, displaying concentrated fruit flavor and high acidity
Oregon Regions
- Willamette Valley AVA: moderate climate, experiencing cooling breezes
California Climate
- Influenced by the cold California Ocean Current
- Cold air, often accompanied by fogs, is drawn in from the ocean in the evening, lowering night-time temperatures
- Central Valley: hot climate, without ocean exposure
California Grape Varieties and Winemaking
- Black grapes:
- Cabernet Sauvignon: most widely planted, full-bodied, concentrated ripe cassis flavors, and prominent spice aromas from new oak barrels
- Zinfandel: ripen unevenly, resulting in concentrated, full-bodied red wines with high alcohol levels and flavors of red and black fruit, dried berries, and liquorice
- Merlot: soft tannins and ripe black fruit, with higher quality coming from cooler sites such as Monterey, Napa, and Sonoma
- Pinot Noir: can come from moderate regions, with flavors of ripe red fruit, notes of sweet spice, and high acidity
- Syrah: made in a full-bodied, rich style
- White grapes:
- Chardonnay: inexpensive, high-volume wines from Central Valley tend to be fruity with low to medium acidity, while premium Chardonnay from cooler regions use less oak
- Sauvignon Blanc: high acidity wines with ripe citrus flavors
- Pinot Gris: made in a fruity, dry style
Oregon Regions
- Southern Oregon AVA: warmest in Oregon, with cooler areas for growing cool and warm climate varieties
Washington Regions
- Columbia Valley AVA: plummy, full-bodied Merlot and elegant, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon are the most important red wines
- Chardonnay: most planted white variety, making fruity wines often with toasty notes from oak
- Riesling: popular, typically with ripe stone fruit flavors
Canada Regions
- Niagara Peninsula DVA: Riesling does well, making fresh, fruity dry and off-dry whites, and the finest icewines
- Vidal: used for icewines, with high-quality Pinot Noir also made
- Okanagan Valley DVA: extending growing season, enabling successful ripening of white grapes in the north and black grapes in the south
- Canadian wine laws: designated viticultural areas (DVA), with the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) appellation system requiring 100% grapes grown in that province
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Description
Explore the diverse wine styles of California, influenced by its climate and ocean current. Learn about black grape varieties, winemaking, and more.
