Pacific Northwest and New York Flashcards
The majority of Washington’s vineyards are planted in which AVA?
Columbia Valley AVA
Willamette Valley AVA is to the east or west of the Cascades?
West
The Columbia Valley AVA lies to the east (in the rain shadow) of which mountain range?
Cascade Mountains
Because the Columbia Valley is in a rain shadow, the area is arid.
What sort of vineyard management is necessary to keep vines alive?
Irrigation
Water comes from the Columbia River
What is the greatest threat grape growers face in the Columbia Valley?
Deep winter freezes, a major concern for grapegrowers, can slash crop sizes in half.
What are the most important red/black grapes of Washington?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
What are the most planted white grapes in Washington?
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
What are the most important nested AVAs within the Columbia Valley?
- Yakima Valley AVA
- Walla Walla AVA
What Oregon AVA has the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards?
Willamette Valley AVA
What is the climate of the Willamette Valley?
Moderate Maritime
Temperatures are kept constant by cool afternoon winds from the Pacific Ocean that enter the southern part of the valley through a break in the Coastal Mountain range.
What is the most planted red/black grape in Oregon?
Pinot Noir
What white grape is widely planted in Oregon?
Pinot Gris
What major Oregon AVA is located south of the Willamette Valley?
Southern Oregon AVA
Which winemaking region in Oregon has the warmest growing conditions?
Southern Oregon AVA
Name two nested AVAs within the Southern Oregon AVA.
- Umpqua Valley
- Rogue Valley
How do the vine species of New York vineyards compare to those on the west coast of the United States?
American and hybrid species prevail in upstate New York while the west coast of America primarily grows Vitis vinifera.
American and hybrid grape varieties from New York are mainly used to produce what?
Juices, jellies, and table grapes
Some of these grapes are used to produce wine thanks to their winter hardiness, but their flavors are not typically deemed desirable in wines.
What are the most widely planted Vitis vinifera grape varieties in New York State?
White:
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
Red:
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the most important AVA in New York?
Finger Lakes AVA
How is the Finger Lakes AVA successful at growing v. vinifera when the area is known to have such cold weather?
Glacial lakes store summertime heat that they release well into November, extending the growing season.
