24 - Oregon Flashcards
Describe Oregon’s climate and explain why it is suited to grapes such as Pinot Noir. (4)
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
Describe the typical soil found in Oregon.
Explain how this impacts yield and quality.
Mix of sedimentary, volcanic, loess soil –> free-draining
Why is sustainable viticulture popular in Oregon?
Wind + dry summers –> less disease pressure
52% of all Demeter certified vineyards are found in Oregon
What are the most widely planted grape varieties in Oregon?
Explain the importance of clonal selection using two examples.
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
Describe winemaking choices popular with producers of Pinot Noir.
Whole bunch –> increasingly popular
Ambient yeast –> some
Alternative storage vessels –> new oak usage is falling
Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir produced in Oregon.
Red cherry, raspberry, plum
Med(+) acid, med-med(+) tannin, high alcohol
Good-outstanding / premium-SP
Describe the style of and winemaking used to produce Pinot Gris.
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
Describe the style of and winemaking used to produce Chardonnay.
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
Describe the growing environment of Willamette AVA.
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
Describe how differences in soil type within Willamette Valley influence planting and training decisions (2)
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
Which are the three most widely planted grape varieties in the Willamette Valley.
Pinot Noir - 60-80% of plantings
Pinot Gris
Chardonnay
Using two AVAs, explain the range of growing environments within Willamette.
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
Compare and contrast the growing environment in southern Oregon to the Willamette Valley.
How do plantings differ?
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
Contrast the AVAs of Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley.
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
How does Oregon labelling law differ from federal labelling law?
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