WINES OF THE WORLD 🇺🇸 USA - Oregon

Question 1

Climate of Oregon

Answer 1

Cool to moderate, some protection from the Pacific Ocean by the Coast Range. High rainfall (mainly during winter). Long daylight hours in the summer and autumn aid grape ripening.

Question 2

Type of soils in Oregon

Answer 2

Free-draining marine sedimentary, volcanic and loess soils.

Question 3

Main grape varieties of Oregon

Answer 3

Pinot Noir (Wadenswil and Pommard traditionally, then Dijon), Pinot Gris, Chardonnay (Wente and Clone 108 traditionally, then Dijon).

Question 4

Key winemaking operations for Pinot Noir wines in Oregon

Answer 4

More use of whole bunch, some use ambient yeasts and experiment with alternative vessels (amphorae).

Question 5

Key winemaking operations for Pinot Gris wines in Oregon

Answer 5

Whole bunch pressing and cool fermentation to skins contact, old barrels and lees contact.

Question 6

Key winemaking operations for Chardonnay wines in Oregon

Answer 6

Whole bunch, oak fermentation, malo.

Question 7

How many AVAs are in Oregon

Answer 7

19 AVAs (15 within the state and 4 across borders).

Question 8

Name of the multi-state appellations between Oregon-Washington

Answer 8

• Columbia Gorge AVA
• Columbia Valley AVA
• Walla Walla Valley AVA

Question 9

Columbia Gorge AVA

Answer 9

Multi-state appellation between Oregon-Washington. Along the Columbia River, border between Oregon and Washington, cooler and wetter the W and warmer and drier the E, cooling influence from altitude and winds of the gorge, many varieties.

Question 10

Columbia Valley AVA

Answer 10

Mainly in Washington, includes Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla Valley and the land between them.

Question 11

Walla Walla Valley AVA

Answer 11

1/3 in Oregon, arid continental climate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah; the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater sub-AVA on basalt stones and graveled silt loam (extra ripeness).

Question 12

Name of the multi-state appellation between Oregon-Idaho

Answer 12

Snake River Valley AVA

Question 13

Climate of Willamette Valley

Answer 13

Some protection from cool influence of the ocean by the Coast Range mountains, but various parts are affected by cool winds. The valley is one of the coolest and wettest in Oregon, warm and dry summers. Lack of humidity means a quick rise and fall of temperatures. High diurnal range during growing season.

Question 14

Main grape varieties of Willamette Valley

Answer 14

Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay.

Question 15

Type of soils in Willamette Valley

Answer 15

Fertile loam soils on the valley. Marine sedimentary soils, volcanic basalt and loess soils, at higher altitudes.

Question 16

Main training systems in Willamette Valley

Answer 16

Large vine training systems (Scott Henry) to manage vigour on the valley, otherwise cordon-trained or replacement-cane pruned with VSP.

Question 17

How irrigation is managed in Willamette Valley

Answer 17

Irrigation is allowed only for the longest-established producers (no water from the rivers, producers must collect water during winter by ponds), but many producers don’t use it due to high cost compared to the small vineyard owned.

Question 18

How many sub-AVAs are in Willamette Valley

Answer 18

7

Question 19

Names of the sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA

Answer 19

• Dundee Hills AVA
• Chehalem Mountains AVA
• Ribbon Ridge AVA
• Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
• Van Duzer Corridor AVA
• Eola-Amity Hills AVA
• McMinnville AVA

Question 20

Dundee Hills AVA

Answer 20

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. The most well-known AVA, first plantings of Pinot Noir. Volcanic hills with lateral ridges. Vineyards at higher altitudes, warmer temperatures due to the shelter by Coast range and Chehalem Mountains (fully ripeness). The highest % of red iron-rich clay from volcanic basalt.

Question 21

Chehalem Mountains AVA

Answer 21

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. Defined by a ridge in N Willamette Valley. Spurs, mountains and ridges. Vineyards at 60-305 m (the highest ridge at 500 m serving as a windbreak). Loess, volcanic basalt and sedimentary soils. Diversity in vineyard sites. The most plantings and large number of wineries.

Question 22

Ribbon Ridge AVA

Answer 22

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. The smallest, low altitude, warm and dry area, sedimentary soil, deep and low nutrients, moderate water-holding capacity. Concentrated ripe grapes.

Question 23

Yamhill-Carlton District AVA

Answer 23

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. South-facing bowl, series of horseshoe-shaped eroded hills of ancient sedimentary soils. Mainly Pinot Noir. In the foot hills of the Coast Range so rain shadow. Riper fruit flavours, fuller bodied and lower acidity.

Question 24

Van Duzer Corridor AVA

Answer 24

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. Break in the Coast Range means afternoon winds (can disrupt flowering and fruit set or shut the vine leaf stomata), so slower ripening and low diseases pressure. Soils are marine sediment loam and silt, shallow and well-draining.

Question 25

Eola-Amity Hills AVA

Answer 25

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. Ridge of north to south hills of shallow rocky volcanic basalt over sedimentary soil, low-lying area, influence of cool ocean winds (slow ripening), range of aspects and altitudes (some sites are warmer).

Question 26

McMinnville AVA

Answer 26

Sub-AVAs of Willamette Valley AVA. Between Yamhill-Carlton District AVA and Van Duzer Corridor AV, some warmer areas, others are cooler.

Question 27

Types of businesses that operate in Willamette Valley

Answer 27

Small vineyard holdings.

Question 28

Type of soils in Southern Oregon

Answer 28

Mixture of marine sedimentary, volcanic and alluvial soils.

Question 29

Climate of Southern Oregon

Answer 29

Warmer than Willamette Valley. Cooling influence from mountains and rivers. High rainfall but dry growing season. High diurnal range due to cool breezes.

Question 30

Main grape varieties of Southern Oregon

Answer 30

Pinot Noir (less % than Willamette Valley), Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 31

How irrigation is managed in Southern Oregon

Answer 31

Irrigation is needed (many growers were ranchers and can use water from the rivers). Dry farming for those who cannot use irrigation (other varieties).

Question 32

Names of the sub-AVAs of Southern Oregon AVA

Answer 32

• Umpqua Valley AVA
• Rogue Valley AVA

Question 33

Umpqua Valley AVA

Answer 33

Sub-AVAs of Southern Oregon AVA. N of Southern Oregon, confluence of the Coast Range, the Cascade Range and the Klamath Mountains. Umpqua River and its tributaries flow through the region. Different sites, N is cooler (north location and cool breezes from the river) so Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Riesling. The C and S are warmer, so Syrah, Merlot and Tempranillo.

Question 34

Rogue Valley AVA

Answer 34

Sub-AVAs of Southern Oregon AVA. Close to California, warmest and driest conditions. Cooling influences from altitude and ocean breezes. Black grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo and Pinot Noir.

Question 35

Types of businesses that operate in Oregon

Answer 35

Small, family-owned businesses (some at the 5th generation), remarkable increase during the last years. Many investors from other states or countries. Bergström Wines and Evening Land as significant producers.

Question 36

Labelling laws for Oregon wines

Answer 36

• 100% grapes from Oregon and 95% from the stated appellation.
• Wine from multi-state may follow either state’s labelling law, 100% from the two states (90% if single variety on the label, other varieties not needed on the label).
• ‘Estate-bottled’ from 100% grapes grown in the winery’s AVA and fully finished at the estate.