Washington

Question 1

What mountain range in Washington State blocks Pacific influence, thereby creating a rain shadow in the eastern part of the state?

Answer 1

Cascade Mountains.

Question 2

What is the overall climate of Puget Sound AVA?

How much rain does it receive each year?

Answer 2

Cool, with mild and dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters;
Receives up to 1500 mm of rain per year.

Question 3

Which winery in Washington State accounts for over half of all production in the state?

Answer 3

Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Question 4

What is the general style of Riesling from Washington State?

Answer 4

Off-dry (10-15g RS/L), but there is some experimenting with drier and sweeter styles.

Question 5

Which nested Columbia Valley AVAs do you need to know for the exam?

Answer 5

Yakima Valley AVA;
Red Mountain AVA;
Rattlesnake Hills AVA;
Horse Heaven Hills AVA;
Wahluke Slope AVA;
Walla Walla Valley AVA.

Question 6

What is the average annual rainfall for Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 6

150-250mm (low).

Question 7

What is the climate of Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 7

Continental (hot and dry summers).

Question 8

Columbia Valley AVA is at a high northerly latitude (45–48°N).

What does that mean for the growing season?

Answer 8

It sees long daylight hours.

Question 9

How do Washington State wines stay balanced (retain acidity) when summers are hot and dry with long days?

Answer 9

Large diurnal shift at night;
Autumns cool down quickly which slows sugar accumulation.

Question 10

What are the soils like in Columbia Valley AVA?
How did they form?

Answer 10

Mixed, free-draining, low fertility – basalt bedrock with sandy, silt, loess, and alluvial topsoils;
Missoula floods deposited glacial and volcanic debris thousands of years ago.

Question 11

Is irrigation common or uncommon in Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 11

Common – usually drip irrigation with water from the Columbia River or deep aquifers.

Question 12

What is the main hazard in Columbia Valley

Answer 12

Frosts and deep winter freezes

Question 13

Which nested Columbia Valley AVA is the oldest AVA and makes over one-third of the state’s production?

Answer 13

Yakima Valley AVA.

Question 14

Red Mountain AVA

Vineyards planted on _____-facing slopes.
Soils are ____ and ____ in nutrients.
The grape it’s known for is ____.
What helps the wines retain acidity?

Answer 14

South-west facing slopes;
Soils are poor and low in nutrients;
Cabernet Sauvignon;
Large diurnal range

Question 15

q
Why is Rattlesnake Hills AVA cooler than Red Mountain AVA?

Answer 15

Higher altitude.

Question 16

Much like the rest of Columbia Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA is warm, sunny and makes ripe-fruited, fuller-bodied wines.

How does Horse Heaven Hills AVA retain freshness in their wines?

Answer 16

The sloped topography together with the Columbia River at the southern border of the AVA both cause strong winds

Question 17

q
What are the climate differences within the Walla Walla Valley AVA?

Answer 17

Eastern side → cooler/wetter in Blue Mountain foothills (spring frosts a risk here);
Western side → warmer/drier

Question 18

Which 2 AVAs are also known for high quality syrahs

Answer 18

Horse Heaven Hills AVA and Walla Walla Valley AVA