Washington State & Oregon Condensed Flashcards
The Cascade Mountains have an important rain-shadow effect on grape growing in:
Washington State.
Ribbon Ridge AVA - describe it
-
Ribbon Ridge AVA
- By far the smallest AVA in Willamette Valley
- Island like ridge that rises 200m from the Chehalem Valley
- Located in the west of Chehalem Valley AVA
- Vineyards:
- Low in nutrient
- Protected from the wind by surrounding ranges
- Consistently warm growing season
- Sedimentary soil is relatively deep but low in nutrients
- Soils have moderate water holding capacity
- All of the above factors lead to concentrated ripe grapes
What is the signature varietal of Long Island AVA?
Merlot
Climate of Long Island AVA?
What is unexpected about this climate?
-
Climate
- the AVA is surrounded by water
- Atlantic Ocean
- Peconic Bay – the estuary between the two forks
- Long Island Sound – between the island the Connecticut coast
- The climate is maritime with a long growing season
- The water bodies keep the temperatures higher due to their slow release of heat from the summer – lengthens the growing season
- Unexpectedly able to ripen black grapes as a consequence
- Northern Fork
- is slightly warmer and more protected from Atlantic Ocean’s weather
- the AVA is surrounded by water
What is Finger Lakes renowned for producing?
Riesling: From Dry-Sweet (Though the majority is med-dry).
Also Chardonnay & Cab Franc
2nd most planted varietal in Southern Oregon?
Pinot Gris
Rogue Valley AVA
-
Rogue Valley AVA
- Further south and includes Applegate Valley sub-AVA
- Close to the California border
- Climate
- Warmest and driest conditions of all Oregon’s growing regions
- Cooling influence comes from altitude – 250 to 950mRL!
- Altitude is provided by Klamath Mountains and Cascade Range
- Cool afternoon and evening breezes drawn in from the Pacific Ocean through the Rogue River valley
- Varietals
- Wide range of varietals grown
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir
What is Washington’s largest AVA?
Columbia Valley
Eola-Amity Hills AVA - describe it
-
Eola-Amity Hills AVA
- is a ridge of north to south hills
- hills are rocky volcanic basalt over sedimentary soil
- east of the Van Duzer Corridor AVA
- affected by the same cool ocean winds that impact Van Duzer AVA which leads to slower ripening
- hillside vineyard sites – at 75-250mRL
- due to a range of aspects and altitudes within the AVA – a greater variation in how the vineyards are impacted by the winds
Which 3 AVAs are shared between Oregon and Washington?
Walla Walla AVA / Columbia Valley AVA / Columbia Gorge AVA
The climate of Oregon?
- Has a marginal climate – more so than California or Washington state
- Most wine regions are situated in the western part of the state – just inland from Pacific Ocean
- Coast range provides some protection from Pacific influences
- Wines regions have a cool to moderate climate
- Latitude of 42-46 degrees north
- Influence of cold ocean currents and winds from the Pacific Ocean
- Long daylight hours in the summer and autumn aid grape ripening
- Most growing areas experience high levels of annual rainfall
- Most rainfall falls in winter – summer months are generally dry
- Willamette Valley – for example, 1000mm on average per year – only 200mm falls from April to September
The viticultural practices, varietals of Yakima Valley?
-
Viticulture
- Chardonnay is most planted
- Then Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot, Syrah and Riesling
- Frosts and winter freeze can be hazardous on valley floor
- Plantings mainly on slopes
- warmer sites better for black grapes, cooler for white grapes
- Irrigation essential
Yamhill-Carlton district AVA - describe it
-
Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
- South facing bowl
- Contains a series of horseshoe-shaped eroded hills composed of ancient sedimentary soil
- 970Ha. planted
- Vast majority is Pinot Noir
- North west of Willamette Valley
- Foothills of the Coast Range – forms a rain shadow over the entire area
- The factors:
- South-facing slopes – 60-300mRL
- Warm free-draining sedimentary soils
- Sheltered nature
- Leads to wines with:
- Riper fruit flavours
- Fuller bodies
- Lower acidity levels
- Of many other AVAs
Irrigation from the ____ is a major source of water to the vineyards of Washington.
Columbia River
Ribbon Ridge is both the ____ and the _____ AVA in Oregon.
Newest and Smallest
Columbia Valley AVA’s climate?
- Climate
- Sheltered by the Cascade Mountain ranges
- Creates an arid desert-like area
- Only 150-250mm of rainfall!
- Continental with hot summers, and rapid cooling in autumn and cold winters
- Latitude of 46-48 degrees north so long daylight hours
- High diurnal range helps to retain acidity
The New York state labelling laws?
-
Wine labelling laws
- 75% must be made from the varietal on the label
- 85% of the grapes must be from the AVA stated on the label
- 95% of the grapes must be from the Vintage stated on the label
What minimum percentage of grapes in Oregon Pinot Gris must come from the AVA stated on the label?
95%
McMinnville AVA - describe it
-
McMinnville AVA
- Located between Yamhill-Carlton AVA (north) and Van Duzer Corridor AVA (south)
- Influenced by both AVAs
- Some sites protected from Pacific Ocean influence by the Coast Range mountains
- Other sites have some ocean influence as per Van Duzer Corridor AVA
If an appellation of origin is quoted on the label what are the minimum labelling requirements under Federal laws?
- Appellation of origin
- 75% of grapes must come from stated county, state, etc
- Must state percentage of each varietal in each state if appellation crosses state borders!
- 85% of grapes must be from vintage if vintage claim made
The climate of Southern Oregon is …………. than Willamette Valley
Warmer
Pinot Gris is the 2nd most planted varietal in Oregon - describe the wines and winemaking used
- Pinot Gris
- Made in dry and off-dry styles
- Current trend to drier styles
- Range of winemaking techniques
- Whole-bunch pressing and cool fermentation – create a fruity style
- Use of skin contact, old barrels, lees contact to increase complexity and texture
- Wines tend to be:
- Medium to full-bodied
- Medium to medium+ acidity
- Pear, peach and melon fruit with a nutty, honeyed note
- Good to very good quality
- Mid-priced
Where will you find most plantings and wineries in Oregon?
Willamette Valley AVA
Pinot Noir is the most important varietal in Oregon, describe the winemaking and the wines made
-
Pinot Noir
- Wide range of techniques employed
- Increasing amount of whole bunch used
- Plus some winemakers experimenting with:
- Ambient yeast
- Alternative fermentation and storage vessels – such as Amphorae
- Wines:
- Majority are matured in oak vessels
- Proportion of new oak has decreased
- Generally:
- Medium+ acidity
- Medium to medium+ tannins
- High alcohol
- Red cherry, raspberry to black cherry and plum
- Good to outstanding quality
- Premium priced to super premium
- Bergstrom and Evening Land are significant producers
Most planted varietal of Columbia Valley AVA?
Followed by ?
and then?
and then?
Cabernet Sauvignon
followed by Merlot
then Chardonnay
then Riesling