24 - Oregon

Question 1

Describe Oregon’s climate and explain why it is suited to grapes such as Pinot Noir. (4)

Answer 1

More northerly latitude + coastal influence –> cool-moderate climate

Coast Range provides partial protection from cooling Pacific winds

Long daylight hours –> aid ripening

High levels of rainfall but usually in winter e.g. Willamette Valley gets 1000mm annually, but only 200mm Apr-Sept

Question 2

Describe the typical soil found in Oregon.

Explain how this impacts yield and quality.

Answer 2

Mix of sedimentary, volcanic, loess soil –> free-draining

Question 3

Why is sustainable viticulture popular in Oregon?

Answer 3

Wind + dry summers –> less disease pressure

52% of all Demeter certified vineyards are found in Oregon

Question 4

What are the most widely planted grape varieties in Oregon?

Explain the importance of clonal selection using two examples.

Answer 4

Pinot Noir - 57% of plantings

Pinot Gris

Chardonnay

Also: Syrah, Cab, Merlot, Riesling

First clones were designed for yield e.g. Wedanswil & Pommard Pinot Noir –> complemented Dijon clones in 1980s –> enabled matching of clonal type to site conditions

E.g. Wente and 108 Chardonnay –> difficulty ripening –> Dijon clones ripen earlier –> some ripen too early given climate change –> producers switching back to heritage clones

Question 5

Describe winemaking choices popular with producers of Pinot Noir.

Answer 5

Whole bunch –> increasingly popular

Ambient yeast –> some

Alternative storage vessels –> new oak usage is falling

Question 6

Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir produced in Oregon.

Answer 6

Red cherry, raspberry, plum

Med(+) acid, med-med(+) tannin, high alcohol

Good-outstanding / premium-SP

Question 7

Describe the style of and winemaking used to produce Pinot Gris.

Answer 7

Varies from whole-bunch, SST protective –> skin-contact, barrel fermentation, lees-ageing

Pear, peach, melon –> nutty, honeyed aromas

Dry or off-dry (trend towards off-dry), med-med(+) acid, med-full bodied

Good-VG; mid-priced

Question 8

Describe the style of and winemaking used to produce Chardonnay.

Answer 8

Generally whole-bunch pressed, ferment and maturation in oak (lots of old oak), full malo, lees contact

Lees often not stirred –> accumulation of sulfur compounds –> struck match

Good-VG / mid-priced-premium

Question 9

Describe the growing environment of Willamette AVA.

Answer 9

Coast Ranges protect from most of Pacific influence –> warm, dry summers

Pacific influence via gaps in Coast Range means the coolest and wettest part of Oregon

Northerly latitude means long daylight hours during growing season

High diurnal range due to warm air rising in Oregon interior pulling cold air from the coast + lack of humidity

Question 10

Describe how differences in soil type within Willamette Valley influence planting and training decisions (2)

Answer 10

Fertile loam –> valley floor –> best for Pinot Gris, where Pinot Noir planted large vine training systems (e.g. Henry Scott) used to managed vigour

Sandstone, basalt, loess –> high altitude –> cordon-trained/replacement-cane pruned –> easier to manage canopy

Question 11

Which are the three most widely planted grape varieties in the Willamette Valley.

Answer 11

Pinot Noir - 60-80% of plantings

Pinot Gris

Chardonnay

Question 12

Using two AVAs, explain the range of growing environments within Willamette.

Answer 12

Dundee Hills protected from the Pacific by Coast Range so warmer/drier, variation in altitude up to 325m, red clay soils retain water during summers (no access to irrigation)

Van Duzer Corridor break in Coast Range –> afternoon breezes –> cools but can also impact flowering/fruit set + ripening (stomata) –> impact on style and disease pressure

Question 13

Compare and contrast the growing environment in southern Oregon to the Willamette Valley.

How do plantings differ?

Answer 13

Latitude is more southerly –> warmth

Cooling influences from river valleys channelling in sea breezes (like Will) + mountains (altitude and cool air, unlike Will)

Rainfall mainly in winter like Will but added temp means summer irrigation essential

Plantings of wider array of varieties

• PN still most popular (40%) and PG 2nd
• Syrah, Tempranillo 3rd and 4th

Question 14

Contrast the AVAs of Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley.

Answer 14

Umpqua - mix of altitude, aspect and soil –> relatively cool due to latitude and breezes vai Umpqua River gorge –> mainly makes PN, PG, Gewurz, Riesling

Rogue Valley - furthest south - warmest/driest in Oregon - altitude 250-950m –> Merlot, Cab, Syrah, Temp

Question 15

How does Oregon labelling law differ from federal labelling law?

Answer 15

Place Requires 100% of grapes to be from in-state to be labelled as such, 95% to be labelled as appellation

Variety >90% min cf. 75%

Estate bottling 100% of grapes from within winery’s AVA, wine finished on estate

Question 16

Compare the size of Oregon’s production to California.

How large are most producers?

How do producers acquire grapes?

Answer 16

Produces 55m bottles - 1.4% of total production cf. to 80% in California –> but rapid growth

Small - 75% produce <5,000 cases

Many are estates - 52% use own grapes

Question 17

How important is DTC for Oregon wine?

Where is Oregon wine sold?

Answer 17

Very important ~25% sold DTC including tasting rooms, wine clubs and online orders

16% sold in state - hospo and retail

60% in rest of US

2.5% exported - Canada, UK, Japan