Oregon Flashcards

1
Q

Why Drouhin’s bought land in Oregon?

A

In 1979 during a blind tasting, David Lett’s 1975 Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir was awarded 10th best Pinot around the world.

Drouhin wanted a rematch and the same wine arrived second against his ‘59 Chambolle Musigny.

After that he decided to purchase land in Oregon.

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2
Q

Oregon climate and influences.

A

Cool to moderate climate.

Latitude is the same as Macon, with high daylight hours during the day.

Cold ocean currents and winds from the Pacific Ocean.

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3
Q

Soils in Oregon.

A
  1. Free-draining marine sedimentary.
  2. Volcanic.
  3. Loess.
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4
Q

Rainfall in Oregon.

A

High. Mainly during winter.

1000mm of which 200mm only during April to September.

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5
Q

Sustainable agriculture in Oregon.

A

High. Because of wind and dry climate that reduces mildew and diseases.

47% sustainable.
52% Demeter.

Also other certifiers such as Oregon Tilth, Salmon-Safe, LIVE, Deep Roots Coalition.

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6
Q

Three main varietals planted in Oregon.

A
  1. Pinot Noir (57%).
  2. Pinot Gris (going down).
  3. Chardonnay (going up).
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7
Q

Pinot Noir clones in Oregon.

A
  1. Wadenswil.
  2. Pommard.
  3. Dijon.

Single clone or selection massale.

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8
Q

Chardonnay clones in Oregon.

A
  1. Wente.
    1. It’s too cold to ripen both of them.
  2. Early ripening Dijon. In warm vintages is struggling.
  3. California heritage selection. Many are coming back to them.
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9
Q

Common winemaking techniques in Pinot Noir production in Oregon.

A
  1. Whole bunch.
  2. Ambient yeasts.
  3. Amphorae, old oak (new oak is decreasing).
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10
Q

Common winemaking techniques in Pinot Gris production in Oregon.

A

Both dry and off-dry styles.

  1. Whole bunch pressing.
  2. Cool fermentation.
  3. Skin contact.
  4. Old barrels.
  5. Lees contact.
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11
Q

Common winemaking techniques in Chardonnay production in Oregon.

A
  1. Whole bunch pressing.
  2. Fermentation and maturation in old oak.
  3. Full MLF.
  4. Lees contact, no stirring for reductive compounds.
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12
Q

Famous Oregon producers.

A
  1. Bergstrom.
  2. Evening Land.
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13
Q

Willamette Valley AVA sub-AVAs.

A
  1. Dundee Hills.
  2. Chehalem Mountains.
  3. Ribbon Ridge.
  4. Yamhill-Carlton District.
  5. Van Duzer Corridor.
  6. Eola-Amity Hills.
  7. McMinnville.
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14
Q

Largest AVA in Oregon.

A

Willamette Valley AVA.

600 wineries. 68% of vineyards are located here.

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15
Q

Willamette Valley climatic influences.

A
  1. Coast Range mountains. Partial protection from winds.
  2. Cold Pacific winds.
  3. High diurnal range. Air rises from the center of the appellation causing cool coastal air to be pulled inland.4. Coolest and wettest area of Oregon.
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16
Q

Is irrigation needed in Willamette Valley?

A

Yes (summer months are dry) but is not used.

  1. Many small growers. Too expensive.
  2. If used is collected from rivers or ponds on properties where is collected during winter.
17
Q

2 main areas of Willamette Valley: soils and location.

A
  1. Valley floors - fertile soils, loam (old Columbia Gorge floods), Scott Henry (to manage vigour).
  2. High altitudes - sedimentary soils, volcanic basalt and loess, low fertility. Cordon trained or replacement cane pruned, VSP.
18
Q

Dundee Hills AVA climatic influences.

A
  1. Elevation (60 to 325mt).
  2. Warmer, sheltered from rains and cold breezes by Coast Range (west) and Chehalem Mountains (east).
  3. Volcanic hills with some iron-rich clay (retains water).
19
Q

Chehalem Mountains AVA climatic influences.

A
  1. Collection of spurs, mountains and ridges.
  2. Elevation (60 to 305 mt).
  3. Highest point of the ridge acts as windbreak.
20
Q

Ribbon Ridge AVA climatic influences.

A
  1. Small ridge, low elevation.
  2. Ranges protects from winds.
  3. Sedimentary soil (low nutrients) with water holding capacity for concentrated grapes.
21
Q

Yamhill-Carlton District AVA climatic influences.

A
  1. Vineyards on foothills of the Coast Range.
  2. High rain shadow effect.
  3. Free draining sedimentary soils.
22
Q

Van Duzer Corridor AVA climatic influences.

A

Coast Range break permits Pacific Ocean winds to funnel in.

  1. Disrupt flowering and fruit set.
  2. Leaf stomata shuts down, slowing ripening.
  3. Reduces diseases.
  4. Helps retain acidity.

Soils are marine sediment and loam.

23
Q

Eola-Amity Hills AVA climatic influences.

A
  1. Ridge based on rocky volcanic basalt.
  2. Low elevation.
  3. Different areas: some get cool ocean winds some are sheltered.
24
Q

McMinnville AVA climatic influences.

A

Between Yamhill-Carlton and Van Duzer Corridor.

Protected by the Coast Range rain shadow in some areas, cool winds from Van Duzer Corridor in other.

25
Q

Southern Oregon sub-AVAs.

A
  1. Umpqua Valley.
  2. Rogue Valley.
26
Q

Southern Oregon climate.

A

Warmer with lower rainfall than Willamette Valley. Can grow other black varietals.

Some cooling influences from mountains. High diurnal ranges.

27
Q

Is irrigation essential in Southern Oregon?

A

Yes. River water is used.
Many vineyards are dry farmed.

28
Q

Varieties planted in Southern Oregon.

A
  1. Pinot Noir (most planted).
  2. Pinot Gris.
  3. Syrah.
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon.
29
Q

Umpqua Valley AVA climatic influences.

A
  1. Confluence of Coast Range, Cascade Range and Klamath Mountains.
  2. Umpqua river influence.
  3. Different altitudes, soils and aspects.
30
Q

Umpqua Valley AVA two main sub-areas and varietals.

A
  1. North - afternoon breezes from the river. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling.
  2. South - warmer. Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo.
31
Q

Rogue Valley AVA climatic influences and varietals planted.

A
  1. Next to the Californian border. Warmest and driest area of Oregon.
  2. Altitude from Klamath Mountains and the Cascade Range.
  3. Cool afternoon and evening breezes from the Pacific.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir.

32
Q

Multistate appellation in Oregon.

A
  1. Into Washington - Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla.
  2. Idaho - Snake River Valley.
33
Q

Walla Walla climate and varietals.

A

Most of the AVA is in Washington.
Arid Continental.

Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot, Syrah.

34
Q

Most famous sub-AVA of Walla Walla.

A

District of Milton-Freewater.

Famous for basalt stones and gravel soils (extra ripeness from reflected and stored heat).

34
Q

Who makes wine in Oregon?

A

Mostly small family-owned businesses.

800 wineries. Small production, 52% are estate bottled wines.

Most new wineries are coming from investment from businesses in other states such as Texas and California.

34
Q

Oregon wine laws.

A
  1. 100% of grapes from Oregon, 95% from stated appellation.
  2. If multistate 100% from the two states.
  3. Variety stated needs to be 90%.
  4. Estate bottled is 100% from estate fruit.
34
Q

Columbia Gorge AVA two main areas.

A
  1. West - Pacific influences, cooler.
  2. East - warmer, dried with moderation from winds from the gorge and altitude (up to 600mt).
35
Q

Where is Oregon wine sold?

A
  1. Mostly in other states in the US (60%).
  2. Retail/hospitality in the state.
  3. Direct to consumer (tasting room, wine clubs, web/phone orders).
  4. Export (2.5%) in Canada, UK, Japan.