25 - Washington State

Question 1

Outline the most planted grapes in Washington.

Answer 1

1. Cabernet Sauvignon (26%)
2. Merlot (18%)
3. Chardonnay (17%)
4. Riesling (17%)
5. Syrah (8%)

Question 2

Describe the style of red most commonly made in Washington State. How do the growing environments in the state account for this?

Answer 2

• Warm, sunny, dry w/ cold nights
• → med(+) - high acid, ripe fruit, high abv
• High % new oak

Question 3

Outline how the style Riesling is made. How is this changing?

Answer 3

• Generally off-dry 10-15g/L
• Styles have diverged → drier or sweeter (bott/ice wine)
• Cool temp ferment is standard
• Skin-contact, ambient yeast, lees, oak are being experimented with

Question 4

Describe the growing environment of Columbia Valley AVA.

Describe how its growing environment impacts grape ripening.

Answer 4

Cascade Range rainshadow → arid, continental climate ,VERY LOW rainfall

Northerly latitude long daylight hours

Soils complex + free-draining

Grape rip rapid in hot summer → slows in autumn → retention of acid; diurnals also help acid

Question 5

How large is Columbia Valley?

Answer 5

99% of Washington plantings

Question 6

Name one unique advantage and two disadvantages of Columbia Valley’s growing environment.

Answer 6

Low phylloxera risk sandy soils → own roots

Need to irrigate dry, hot summers + free draining soil

Frost + winter freeze due to continental climate

Question 7

Why might a grower choose to graft vines in Columbia Valley? (3)

Answer 7

Despite low phylloxera risk…

1. Drought resistance rootstocks

2 Precision viti to match other soil type requirements

3. Head grafting → changing varieties → consumer demand

Question 8

Where is water for irrigation sourced from?

Answer 8

Columbia River

Question 9

Using two examples of sub-AVAs describe how Columbia Valley is able to produce such a wide range of grapes.

Answer 9

Yakima Valley AVA

• 1/3 of state production
• large area includes warmer, lower elevation sites for Cab, Merlot, Syrah, Chard

Rattlesnake Hills AVA

• higher altitude sites with Riesling most planted

Question 10

What topographical feature in Columbia Valley makes some vines more susceptible to spring frost?

Answer 10

Large, flat valley floor

Question 11

Describe the growing environment and grapes produced in Walla Walla Valley.

Answer 11

Arid, continental

• E → Blue Mountain foothills → 600m → cooler, wetter
• Frost risk in foothills
• Cab, Merlot, Syrah

Question 12

Puget Sound AVA

Answer 12

• NW
• only AVA W of Mountain
• runs along Pacific
• Small area planted 2 grapes
• warm, dry summer
• mild, wet winters → 1,500 mm
• Hybrids: Madeleine Angevine, Muller Thurgau, Siegerrebe
• P.N, Riesling