Washington Breakdown Flashcards
Wine Regions
The top five grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (26 per cent of grape harvest), Merlot (18 per cent), Chardonnay (17 per cent), Riesling (17 per cent) and Syrah (8 per cent).
Columbia Valley AVA is a very large cross-border AVA that covers approximately one third of Washington State (spanning 3.5 million ha in Washington, 4.5 million ha in total). Within its boundaries are 99% of Washington’s vineyard plantings. It encompasses several smaller AVAs of which Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, Rattlesnake Hills and Walla Walla Valley have the largest plantings. Although many vineyards fall within a sub-AVA, the Columbia Valley AVA can be used by producers who either have vineyards outside of a sub-AVA or wish to blend across different sub-AVA
arid desert-like area which receives around 150–250 mm of rainfall per annum. The climate is continental with hot summers, rapid cooling in the autumn and cold winters. With a latitude of around 45–48°N, daylight hours during the growing season are long – on average one hour longer each day than many California vineyards. Sugar accumulates rapidly in the grapes during the summer but much cooler autumn temperatures allow flavours and tannins to develop as sugar accumulation slows. High diurnal range helps to retain acidity.
complex soils of basalt bedrock with sandy, silty loess and alluvial topsoils are a result of several cycles of Missoula flood events, volcanic activity, and glacial movement.
Yakima Valley AVA - largest sub-appellation in the Columbia Valley AVA, and, with over 7,600 ha under vine, it supplies over one-third of the state’s production. The most planted variety is Chardonnay, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Riesling. The area encompasses three sub-AVAs – Red Mountain (cabernet), Rattlesnake Hills (riesling), and Snipes Mountain, which all have vineyards on elevated ridges that enable air drainage and reduce freeze and frost events.
Horse Heaven Hills AVA - Black grapes, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, comprise about 66 per cent of vines planted. Chardonnay and Riesling are the most planted white grapes
Wahluke Slope AVA - broadly in the centre of the Columbia Valley AVA, has some of the warmest and driest conditions in the state
The Walla Walla Valley AVA - fastest growing AVA in the state. Many vineyards are located in the northeast corner of the AVA in the Blue Mountain foothills. With altitudes up to 600m, the eastern side of the appellation is cooler and wetter compared to the warmer, drier western side. The differences in climate within the AVA allow a wide range of varieties to ripen.
Outside of Columbia Valley: Columbia Gorge AVA and Puget Sound AVA (42ha planted. 1,500 mm of rain per year. Although hybrids predominate, Pinot Noir and Riesling are the most planted V. vinifera varieties)
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