D3 - Washington

Question 1

What mountain range in Washington State blocks Pacific influence, thereby creating a rain shadow in the eastern part of the state?

Answer 1

Cascade Mountains.

Question 2

What is the overall climate of Puget Sound AVA?

How much rain does it receive each year?

Answer 2

• Cool, with mild and dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters;
• Receives up to 1500 mm of rain per year.

Question 3

Which winery in Washington State accounts for over half of all production in the state?

Answer 3

Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Question 4

What is the general style of Riesling from Washington State?

Answer 4

Off-dry (10-15g RS/L), but there is some experimenting with drier and sweeter styles.

Question 5

Which nested Columbia Valley AVAs do you need to know for the exam?

Answer 5

1. Yakima Valley AVA;
2. Red Mountain AVA;
3. Rattlesnake Hills AVA;
4. Horse Heaven Hills AVA;
5. Wahluke Slope AVA;
6. Walla Walla Valley AVA.

Question 6

What is the average annual rainfall for Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 6

150-250mm (low).

Question 7

What is the climate of Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 7

Continental (hot and dry summers).

Question 8

Columbia Valley AVA is at a high northerly latitude (45–48°N).

What does that mean for the growing season?

Answer 8

It sees long daylight hours.

Question 9

How do Washington State wines stay balanced (retain acidity) when summers are hot and dry with long days?

Answer 9

• Large diurnal shift at night;
• Autumns cool down quickly which slows sugar accumulation.

Question 10

• What are the soils like in Columbia Valley AVA?
• How did they form?

Answer 10

• Mixed, free-draining, low fertility – basalt bedrock with sandy, silt, loess, and alluvial topsoils;
• Missoula floods deposited glacial and volcanic debris thousands of years ago.

Question 11

Is irrigation common or uncommon in Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 11

Common – usually drip irrigation with water from the Columbia River or deep aquifers.

Question 12

Which answer correctly states the main hazards in Columbia Valley AVA?

1. High disease and pest pressure;
2. Frosts and deep winter freezes;
3. Hail and excessive rain.

Answer 12

2. Frosts and deep winter freezes

Question 13

Which nested Columbia Valley AVA is the oldest AVA and makes over one-third of the state’s production?

Answer 13

Yakima Valley AVA.

Question 14

What are the 4 nested AVAs of Yakima Valley?

Answer 14

1. Red Mountain;
2. Rattlesnake Hills;
3. Snipes Mountain;
4. Candy Mountain.

Question 15

Red Mountain AVA

1. Vineyards planted on _____-facing slopes.
2. Soils are ____ and ____ in nutrients.
3. The grape it’s known for is ____.
4. What helps the wines retain acidity?

Answer 15

1. South-west facing slopes;
2. Soils are poor and low in nutrients;
3. Cabernet Sauvignon;
4. Large diurnal range.

Question 16

Why is Rattlesnake Hills AVA cooler than Red Mountain AVA?

Answer 16

Higher altitude.

Question 17

Much like the rest of Columbia Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA is warm, sunny and makes ripe-fruited, fuller-bodied wines.

How does Horse Heaven Hills AVA retain freshness in their wines?

Answer 17

Strong winds – from sloped topography and off the Columbia River.

Question 18

Wahluke Slope AVA

1. Are the slopes here gentle or steep?
2. Conditions here are warm/dry or cool/wet?
3. Most wines are red or white?

Answer 18

1. Gentle slopes;
2. Warm/dry;
3. Red due to warm conditions.

Question 19

What are the climate differences within the Walla Walla Valley AVA?

Answer 19

• Eastern side → cooler/wetter in Blue Mountain foothills (spring frosts a risk here);
• Western side → warmer/drier

Question 20

What is the only AVA in Washington State west of the Cascade Mountain range?

Answer 20

Puget Sound AVA

Question 21

In Puget Sound AVA, about how many hectares are planted to grapes?

Answer 21

~50 ha

Question 22

What are the general boundaries of Puget Sound AVA?

Answer 22

It runs along the Pacific Ocean, from Canada down to Olympia

Question 23

In Puget Sound AVA, which grape varieties dominate plantings?

What other grape varieties are grown there?

Answer 23

• Crosses created for cool climates predominate (Madeleine Angevine, Müller-Thurgau, Siegerrebe);
• Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are also grown.