Oregon Flashcards
Why Drouhin’s bought land in Oregon?
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.
Oregon climate and influences.
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.
Soils in Oregon.
- Free-draining marine sedimentary.
- Volcanic.
- Loess.
Rainfall in Oregon.
High. Mainly during winter.
1000mm of which 200mm only during April to September.
Sustainable agriculture in Oregon.
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.
Three main varietals planted in Oregon.
- Pinot Noir (57%).
- Pinot Gris (going down).
- Chardonnay (going up).
Pinot Noir clones in Oregon.
- Wadenswil.
- Pommard.
- Dijon.
Single clone or selection massale.
Chardonnay clones in Oregon.
- Wente.
- It’s too cold to ripen both of them.
- Early ripening Dijon. In warm vintages is struggling.
- California heritage selection. Many are coming back to them.
Common winemaking techniques in Pinot Noir production in Oregon.
- Whole bunch.
- Ambient yeasts.
- Amphorae, old oak (new oak is decreasing).
Common winemaking techniques in Pinot Gris production in Oregon.
Both dry and off-dry styles.
- Whole bunch pressing.
- Cool fermentation.
- Skin contact.
- Old barrels.
- Lees contact.
Common winemaking techniques in Chardonnay production in Oregon.
- Whole bunch pressing.
- Fermentation and maturation in old oak.
- Full MLF.
- Lees contact, no stirring for reductive compounds.
Famous Oregon producers.
- Bergstrom.
- Evening Land.
Willamette Valley AVA sub-AVAs.
- Dundee Hills.
- Chehalem Mountains.
- Ribbon Ridge.
- Yamhill-Carlton District.
- Van Duzer Corridor.
- Eola-Amity Hills.
- McMinnville.
Largest AVA in Oregon.
Willamette Valley AVA.
600 wineries. 68% of vineyards are located here.
Willamette Valley climatic influences.
- Coast Range mountains. Partial protection from winds.
- Cold Pacific winds.
- 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.