US_Washington

Question 1

Major / Minor Reds of Washington
3/3

Answer 1

• Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah
• Cab Franc, Petit Syrah, Grenache,

(4 Bordeaux + 2 Rhone)

Question 2

Major / Minor Whites of Washington

2/3

Answer 2

• Riesling, Chardonnay
• Pinot Gris, Sauv Blanc, Semillon

Question 3

Washington Red Style
4 Facts

Answer 3

• Bordeaux and Rhône varieties do well here
• Young soils: 20k yrs) produce fruit forward wines
• Long growing season with hot summers and northern location produce thick skins and good phenolic ripeness
• Large diurnal shift: produces grapes that are more acidic than CA**, which gives them a mouth-watering taste

Question 4

Washington Location
3 Facts
East vs West

Answer 4

• NW between Canada / Oregon
• EAST: Most vineyards here. Yakima on 47th parallel, same as Burgundy, but cooler climate
• WEST: Too much percipitation for most varieties, but Riesling does well here

Question 5

Washington Geology
West
Central
East w soil and 4 bodies of water
South

Answer 5

WEST: Puget Sound
CENTRAL: Cascade Mountains (rain shadow)
EAST: Missoula Flood Plains have fertile soil. Vineyards / towns separated by rolling hills (phylloxera free). Major bodies of water: Snake, Columbia, and Yakima Rivers. Lake Chelan
SOUTH: Columbia Gorge is a deep cut into WA/OR border

Question 6

Washington Climate
West
East

Answer 6

WEST: Maritime with high precipitation.
EAST: True Continental with hot summers/cold winters.

Question 7

Washington Terroir
4 Facts

Answer 7

• Missoula floods deposited millions of pounds of sediment, creating rolling hills and sandy plains
• High diurnal shift creates higher acidity (good for aging and food)
• Up to 17 hours of sun during summer
• Little shade here: Typically vines have South/South East aspect

Question 8

Washington Soils
West (1)
East (6)

Answer 8

WEST: sandy loam.
EAST: sand, silt, loam, alluvial with a base of basalt and other volcanic debris

Question 9

Washington History
When 1st vitis vinifera planted
Father of WA wine (3)

Answer 9

• 1825
• Dr Walter Clore plants vines in Prosser in 1937

Question 10

Washington’s first modern Vineyard
Who
When
Where

Answer 10

Cayuse plants first modern vineyard/begins making wine in 1997 in Walla Walla Valley

Question 11

Washington Riesling
year of international attention
2 producers

Answer 11

1999: The first bottling of Eroica Riesling is produced by Chateau St. Michelle (WA) and Dr. Loosen (Mosel), bringing international attention to this WA varietal

Eroica = Heroic (a Beethoven tune)

Question 12

Washington winemaking (viticulture) prefrences
2 Facts

Answer 12

• Vines require irrigation: most wine-growing regions near rivers and lakes
• Very little shade: most vines planted w S/SE aspect

Question 13

Western Washington
Important Villages/Cities

Answer 13

WESTERN WASHINGTON
* Woodinville
* Seattle
* Tacoma