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
Which AVA is found between Yakima Valley to north and Columbia River and the state border with Oregon to the south?
Horse Heaven Hills AVA
How much of Washington’s wine production is from Horse Heaven Hills AVA?
25%
What causes strong winds in Horse Heaven Hills AVA?
What positive effects do these winds have?
Sloped topography
Breezes off the Columbia River
Reduce frost risk
Extend potential growing season
Reduce disease pressure
Do black or white grapes dominate Horse Heaven Hills production?
Black - Cab, Merlot and Syrah make up 66%
Wahluke Slope AVA in Washington has some of the ____ and ____ growing conditions in the state.
Warmest and driest
Describe the exposure, topography and soils in Wahluke Slope AVA
South facing gentle slopes (max sun exposure)
Sandy, free draining soils (irrigation needed)
Why are vineyards planted on sloped topography and close to the river in Wahluke Slope AVA?
Increases air flow
Reduces frost risk
What three grapes dominate production in Wahluke Slope AVA?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Which hybrid varieties are commonly found in Puget Sound AVA?
Madeleine Angevine
Muller Thurgau
Siegerebbe
Describe the typical climatic conditions in summers and winters in Puget Sound AVA.
Warm dry summers
Cold wet winters
What is the average rainfall in Puget Sound AVA?
Why is this different to AVAs in Columbia Valley AVA?
Up to 1,500mm per annum
Puget Sound AVA is west of the Cascade Mountains and therefore is not sheltered from rain coming off the Pacific
Name the two most planted Vitis Vinifera vines in Puget Sound AVA.
Pinot Noir
Riesling
Where is most of Washington’s wine production sold?
What is a good route to market here?
In state
Cellar door sales
How have plantings in Washington changed?
Focus used to be on Riesling, moved more towards Rhône and Bordeaux varietals
