California Wine Regions

Flashcards about California wine regions including Napa, Sonoma, and Central Coast.

San Pablo Bay

A key influence on Napa and Sonoma wine regions, providing a cooling effect that introduces wind, cool weather, and moisture, contributing to a diurnal range or shift.

Carnaris

An area influenced by San Pablo Bay that lowers temperatures, slows down the rate of ripeness and loss of acidity, and lengthens the ripening season for grapes.

Field Blend

A technique where a mix of different grape varietals are planted, grown, harvested, and fermented together, common among Italian immigrants in California during the Gold Rush.

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cool Climate Syrah

Cool climate varietals that perform well in Sonoma County due to the cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay.

Zinfandel

Leads to a grape forward, jammy characteristic, typically high in alcohol content.

Petite Syrah

A varietal with small berries and thick skins, known for concentrated aromas, flavors, and tannins; a crossing of Syrah and Peloursin.

Alexander Valley

The opposite of all those areas, warm and dry, and thrives with Cab, Porto blends, warmer climate Chardonnay, Zinfandel

Dry Creek Valley

Inland from Alexander Valley, known for Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc due to the influence of Italian immigrants.

Russian River

Inland and thrives with Pinot and Shard, but in sort of more voluptuous, bigger style versions

Carneros

Southernmost point of both Napa and Sonoma, a crossover AVA shared by both areas, cool climate, crisp, lean versions of varietals and known for sparkling wine

Sonoma Coast

Large, expansive AVA hugging the Pacific Ocean; known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cool Climate Syrah.

Mayacamas Mountains

The West mountain range of the Napa Valley.

Vaca Mountains

The East mountain range of the Napa Valley.

Most Important Varietals of Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay

Bordeaux Blend

The style of wine that is a critical piece to the character of NAPA

Proprietary Blend

Has the least amount of legal constraints, and it has the greatest upside of being an doing what you want

Napa

Known as the most consistent growing area in the world next to Provence

Mountain Vineyards

Are closer to the sun so they develop thicker skins as a reaction to that intensity of UV light

Spring Mountain

An important mountain AVA in the Mayacamas Mountains, known for cabs and Bordeaux blends that ripen slowly.

Oakville

An important growing area for many reasons, where you have established Robert Bandave Winery, Opus One Winery, and a famous vineyard called Tokelon Vineyard

Rutherford

Key Growing area just North of Oakville, Hot, lots of heat, volcanic soil, just an extension of Oakville

Central Coast

Has Coastal Mountain Ranges

Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Rita Hills

Known with Santa Claus is associated with the wintertime and the cool weather. Therefore, can have cooler expressions of varietals such as cool climate Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay