Washington Flashcards
Washington is the ___ largest state in America in terms of wine production.
2nd
What role do the Cascade Mountains play in Washington?
They block wet pacific weather, creating warm, dry conditions
When were the first grapes planted in Washington?
Where, and by who?
1825
In Fort Vancouver by Hudson’s Bay Company
Where do the majority of Washington producers source their irrigation water from?
Melt water off the Cascade Mountains
What wine company accounts for over half of all production in Washington?
Chateau Sainte Michelle
Name the five most planted grape varieties in Washington
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Chardonnay Riesling Syrah
Describe the general growing conditions in Washington and the resulting fruit grown.
Warm, sunny dry growing conditions with cold nights
Wines have ripe fruit flavours and sometimes high ABV, but often medium to high acidity
Is new oak use common in Washington?
Yes, but some may use older/ larger vessels (particularly for Syrah)
Is Syrah typically fermented whole bunch or destemmed in Washington?
Both are options used
Is Riesling in Washington typically made in a dry or off dry style?
Off-dry with 10 to 15g residual sugar
Producers are also experimenting with dry and off-dry styles
Describe the climate in Columbia Valley AVA
Continental
Hot, dry summers with long sunlight hours, rapidly cooling in winter and autumn
What is the average rainfall in Columbia Valley AVA?
What contributes to this?
150-250mm per annum
Cascade mountains act as a rain shadow promoting arid conditions
How do hot summers followed by cool autumns affect grape ripening in Columbia Valley AVA?
Hot summers allow for rapid sugar accumulation
Cool autumns allow flavours and tannins to develop as sugar accumulation slows
High diurnal range allows for acid retention
Describe the soils in Columbia Valley AVA
Complex soils of basalt bedrock with sandy, silty loess and alluvial topsoils
Free draining and low in nutrients: need for irrigation
What factors mean that disease pressure is low in Columbia Valley AVA?
- Sandy soils means vines can be planted on original roots without phylloxera risk
- Arid summers and cold winters means disease and pests are low risk
What weather hazards threaten Columbia Valley AVA?
What can be done to mitigate these risks?
Drought: installation of irrigation
Frost: plant on slopes
Winter freeze: plant on slopes
What is the largest sub AVA in Columbia Valley AVA?
Yakima Valley AVA
What is the most planted grape in Yakima Valley AVA?
Chardonnay
Why are many vineyards planted on slopes in Yakima Valley AVA?
To avoid frost and promote air circulation
What are the three AVAs encompassed by Yakima Valley AVA?
Red Mountain AVA
Rattlesnake Hills AVA
Snipes Mountain AVA
Which aspect would you expect most vineyards to have in Red Mountain AVA?
South West
Do black or white grapes dominate in Red Mountain AVA? Why?
Give a typical tasting note
Red (particularly Cab)
One of the warmest AVAs in Washington
Ripe fruit
Medium (+) acidity (high diurnal range)
Full bodied
High alcohol
Which aspect would you expect most vineyards to have in Rattlesnake Hills AVA?
South
Describe Rattlesnake Hills AVA’s climate in comparison to the rest of Yakima Valley and what influences this.
Cooler than other AVA’s - it is at higher altitudes
