Washington Flashcards
Washington is the _____ largest producer of vinifera in the United States.
Second (2nd)
What company is the largest producer of wines in Washington?
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates lays claim to being the world’s largest producer of what varietal?
Riesling
Most vinifera vineyards are planted [west/east] of the Cascade Mountains.
East
Most of Washington’s wine region experience what climate type?
Continental
What geographic feature forms a rain shadow over the Columbia River Basin?
Cascade Mountains
True/False: Dry-farming is commonly practiced throughout Washington.
False
Dry-farming is nearly impossible
How do the Cascade Mountains influence the climate of eastern Washington?
They create a continental climate by blocking the east-ward flow of cool, maritime air from the Pacific
Why do the valley floors east of the Cascades experience greater frost pressure than hillsides?
The ridges (anticlines) create a temperature inversion layer, trapping cold air in the valleys
_____-facing slopes experiences the warmest temperatures and most sunshine.
South
What two major forces shaped the geology of Washington’s vineyards?
Volcanic eruptions
Missoula Floods
Floods from Lake Missoula bottlenecked at what point before rushing through the Columbia Gorge?
Wallula Gap
What are “Trouchet” beds?
Nutrient-rich soil deposits
List the top 5 white varietals cultivated in Washington.
Chardonnay Riesling Pinot Gris Sauvignon Blanc Gewürztraminer
List the top 4 red varietals in Washington.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Cabernet Franc
95% of Washington’s vineyards lie within what AVA?
Columbia Valley AVA
Name the AVAs of Washington not found within the Columbia Valley?
Puget Sound
Columbia Gorge
Who is the owner of Cold Creek vineyard?
Château Ste. Michelle
Stillwater Creek is the estate vineyard of what producer?
Novelty Hill
Name the nested AVAs of Yakima Valley.
Rattlesnake Hills
Snipes Mountain
Red Mountain
Yakima Valley is the _____-largest AVA in Washington.
Third (3rd)
Over 70% of hops grown in the United States come from what Washington region?
Yakima Valley
The first Syrah in Washington was planted in what vineyard?
Red Willow Vineyard
The first Cabernet Sauvignon planted in Washington was at the __________ Vineyard.
Otis Vineyard
What sub-AVA in Yakima Valley has the hottest climate in Washington?
Red Mountain AVA
True/False: Red Mountain is the smallest and least-cultivated AVA in Washington.
False
It is the smallest AVA, but it is also the most densely cultivated
For what style of wine if Red Mountain most well known?
Tannic, deeply colored Bordeaux reds
Name 3 estate-producers from Red Mountain AVA.
Col Solare
Force Majeure
Upchurch Vineyards
Col Solare is a joint venture between what two wine estates?
Antinori and Ste. Michelle
Where are the oldest vinifera plantings in Washington found, what what is the grape?
Snipes Mountain
Muscat of Alexandria (1917)
What producer dominates production from Snipes Mountain?
Upland Vineyards
Rattlesnake Hills lies on the north bank of what river?
Yakima River
What varietal is historically important to Rattlesnake Hills?
Riesling
Name two top vineyards in Rattlesnake Hills and their respective producers.
Two Blondes Vineyards (Andrew Will) Dubrul Vineyard (Côte Bonneville)
__________ is the easternmost of Columbia Valley’s nested AVAs.
Walla Walla Valley
1/3rd of Walla Walla’s acreage lies in what state?
Oregon
Walla Walla Valley lies at the confluence of what 3 rivers?
Columbia
Walla Walla
Snake
What mountain range forms the eastern border of Walla Walla Valley?
Blue Mountains
Name 2 subregions of Walla Walla near the Blue Mountains.
Mill Creek
North Fork of Walla Walla Valley
What was the second region of gain AVA recognition in Washington?
Walla Walla Valley (1984)
The Rocks of Milton-Freewater is a sub-AVA of what larger region?
Walla Walla Valley
What sub-AVA of Walla Walla Valley lies entirely in Oregon?
The Rocks of Milton-Freewater
Horse Heaven Hills is critically praised for what varietal?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Champoux, Phinny Hill, and Canoe Ridge are all vineyards in what appellation?
Horse Heaven Hills AVA
Where is Wahluke Slope in relation to Yakima Valley?
North
Name Washington’s driest AVA.
Wahluke Slope
Name the 1st commercial vineyard in Wahluke Slope AVA and it’s current owner.
Weinbau
Sagemoor
What is the most planted varietal in Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA?
Riesling
Who is the largest producer in Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley?
Milbrandt Vineyards
What is the only region in the Columbia Basin that was not affected by the Missoula Floods?
Lake Chelan
Name 2 key subregions of Columbia Gorge, and the state each is found in.
Underwood Mountain (Washington) Hood River Valley (Oregon)
Syncline, Memaloose, and Analemma are all prominent producers in what AVA?
Columbia Gorge AVA
Washington’s second-largest AVA is __________.
Puget Sound AVA
True/False: Puget Sound is Washington’s 2nd most heavily planted region.
False. It is 2nd largest in land size, but the least planted.
Name 3 vineyard areas in Puget Sound AVA.
San Juan
Bainbridge
Lopez
How does the climate of Puget Sound compare with AVAs east of the Cascades?
It is a rainy, cold climate whereas those east are continental.
Where would one find plantings of Madeline Angevine in Washington? Who produces it as a varietal wine?
Puget Sound
San Juan Vineyards
What is the parentage of Müller-Thurgau?
Riesling x Madeleine Royale
What is the parentage of Siegerrebe?
Madeleine Angevine x Savagnin Rose
