Lodi AVA

Lodi AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the Central Valley of California, at the northern edge of the San Joaquin Valley east of San Francisco Bay. The AVA gained approval as a designated wine growing area in 1986 and includes 551,000 acres (223,000 ha) of which 103,000 acres (42,000 ha) are currently planted with wine grapes.[2] In 2002, the area included in the AVA was expanded by 93,500 acres (37,800 ha) (10,840 acres (4,390 ha) planted) along the southern and western portions of the original AVA boundaries in San Joaquin County. The appellation includes land in northern Sacramento County and southern San Joaquin County. It is bounded on the west by Interstate Highway 5 and to the east by the political borders for the adjacent El Dorado, Amador, and Calaveras Counties.[3]

Lodi AVA
Wine region
Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1986, amended in 2002[1]
CountryUnited States
Sub-regionsAlta Mesa AVA, Borden Ranch AVA, Clements Hills AVA, Cosumnes River AVA, Jahant AVA, Mokelumne River AVA, Sloughhouse AVA
Climate regionMediterranean
Total area551,000 acres (223,000 ha)[2]
Size of planted vineyards90,000 acres (36,000 ha)[2]
Grapes producedAlbarino, Alicante Bouschet, Alvarelhao, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Cinsault, Colombard, Dolcetto, Dornfelder, Flame Tokay, Gamay noir, Graciano, Grenache, Kerner, Lemberger, Malbec, Malvasia, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Riesling, Roussanne, Rubired, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Souzao, Symphony, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Trousseau gris, Valdiguie, Verdelho, Viognier, Zinfandel[2]

History
An old vine Zinfandel wine from Lodi.

The Lodi region has been home to grape growing since at least the 1850s when wild grapes would grow down from trees along the edge of rivers. This led some trappers to call the Calaveras River, which runs through the southern portion of the area, "Wine Creek".[4]

Climate and geography

Lodi has a Mediterranean climate similar to that along the Mediterranean Sea, with warm days and cool nights. The soil, unlike many other appellations, varies within the AVA, though in most places it is a deep loam that occasionally is covered with large rocks, similar to the French region of Chateauneuf du Pape.[2]

Grapes and wines

Although the appellation is probably best known for its old vine Zinfandel, Lodi also produces a large quantity of Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon blanc.[2]

References
  1. "§ 9.107 Lodi" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  2. "Lodi (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  3. Rieger, Ted. "Subdividing Lodi—Proposal Supported for 7 Sub-AVAs". Wine Business Monthly. No. August 2003.
  4. "The Appellations of California Wine". Wine Institute. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007.
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