Oregon Flashcards
Which Oregon AVAs are East of the Cascades? What else do they have in common?
Walla Walla Valley AVA
Columbia Gorge AVA
Columbia Valley AVA
Snake River Valley AVA
They’re all shared with neighboring states!
What is the climate of the Oregon wine regions west of the cascades? East of the cascades?
Maritime with some continental influence
True continental
What are the major & minor red varieties of Oregon?
Major: Pinot Noir!
Minor: Cab, Merlot, Syrah
What are the major & minor white varieties of Oregon?
Major: Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
Minor: Riesling
Where is Oregon located?
West US coast, 362 miles between WA and CA
On what parallel is the Willamet Valley located?
The 45th, along with Bordeaux & Piedmont
What’s unique about the landscape of Oregon wine country?
It’s lined with rivers, waterfalls, national parks, & conservation areas
What are Oregon’s important landmarks?
Rivers: Columbia, Willamette, Clackamas
Mountains: Coastal Ranges, Cascades
Other: Missoula flood plain
What influence did the Missoula Floods have on the Terroir of Western Oregon?
The Missoula floods carved out rolling hills & sheltered east-west valleys that keep the region cool & dry while protecting it from frost & hail, which extends the growing season & increases variety of grapes growers can cultivate.
Briefly sketch out the history of Oregon’s wine industry
1845: Henerson Luelling planted OR’s first vines
1964: First OR Pinot bottled for sale by Hillcrest Vineyards
1970: David Lett founds Eyrie Vineyards
1979: David Lett’s South Block Pinot receives international acclaim at the Paris Tasting
1984: First 4 OR AVAs are awarded: Willamette, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, & Umpqua Valley
1987: Maison Druhin opens Domaine Druhin in Dundee Hills
What is the general style of Oregon reds?
A cross between California’s rich, ripe fruit, & burgundy’s elegant structure. Oak is well integrated & the wines tend to balance acid, tannin, & alcohol.
What is the general style of Oregon Chardonnay?
Oaked, but with good acid & balance.
What is the general style of Oregon Pinot Gris?
Rich, nutty, & slightly bitter in style, with a hint of residual sugar.
Are there sparkling wines in OR? What kind?
Yes, traditional method sparklers are common
Are Oregon vinterns experimental? What unites them?
Yes, they’ll experiment with different fermentation vessels, skin contact, blending, & traditional techniques, but they’ll still make a new world style of wine.
