Oregon

Question 1

Important facts about Oregon?

Answer 1

4th largest state production
First vineyards 1961
A number of Burgundian winemakers have opened wineries
15 AVAs
5x increase in wineries in 20 years
Dominated by smaller family wineries

Question 2

Climate and soil of Oregon?

Answer 2

Cool/moderate
Coast Range offers protection from Pacific
Free draining soil - sedimentary, volcanic, loess
High rainfall - mainly winter

Question 3

Role of sustainability in Oregon?

Answer 3

Low disease pressure
Emphasized by state
47% certified sustainable
52% of US Biodynamic vineyards are in Oregon
Oregon Tilth, Salmon Save, LIVE, etc.

Question 4

Grape varieties in Oregon?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir 57%
Pinot Gris (decreasing)
Chardonnay (increasing)

Syrah, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Riesling

Question 5

Important clones:

Answer 5

Pinot Noir: Wadenswil, Pommard, Dijon
Chard: Dijon
Earlier-ripening, proper soil/climate decisions

Question 6

Pinot Noir winemaking:

Answer 6

Whole bunch increasing
Ambient yeasts increasing
Alternative vessels - amphorae
New oak decreasing

Question 7

Describe Oregon Pinot Noir:

Answer 7

Med+ acid
M/Med+ tannins
High alc
Red cherry, raspberry, black cherry, plum

Question 8

Describe Oregon Pinot Gris:

Answer 8

Whole bunch increasing
Skin contact/old barrels/lees can be used to increase complexity/texture
Medium/full bodied
Med/Med+ acid
Pear, peach, melon
Can be honeyed/nutty

Question 9

Describe Oregon Chard:

Answer 9

Med+ acid
Med+ body
Whole bunch pressing common
Old oak
ML/lees common
No lees stirring to encourage reductive sulfur - smoky/struck match

Question 10

Describe Willamette Valley:

Answer 10

68% of state vineyards
7 sub-AVAs
1.3m hL
Almost 600 wineries
High diurnal range
Irrigation not common
Fertile soils on valley floor, sedimentary soils on slopes

Question 11

Sub-AVA’s of Willamette Valley?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Describe Dundee Hills:

Answer 12

Volcanic hills - red, iron-rich clay: retains water
Higher altitude
Warmer, sheltered from cold/wet

Question 13

Describe Chehalem Mountains:

Answer 13

Diversity of sites
Large number of wineries
Most plantings of any Willamette sub-AVA

Question 14

Describe Ribbon Ridge:

Answer 14

Small
Low elevation
Deep sedimentary soil - low nutrients
Concentrated, ripe grapes

Question 15

Describe Yamhill-Carlton:

Answer 15

Warm, free-draining sedimentary soils
Sheltered, south-facing slopes
Riper fruit, fuller body, lower acidity

Question 16

Describe Van Duzer Corridor:

Answer 16

Funnels in Pacific winds
Slower ripening, reduced disease pressure
Loam/silt, shallow, well-draining

Question 17

Describe Southern Oregon:

Answer 17

Dry growing season, wet winter
Combination soils (volcanic, alluvial)
Irrigation is essential
Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cab

Question 18

Sub-AVA’s of Southern Oregon:

Answer 18

Umpqua Valley
Rogue Valley

Question 19

Describe Umpqua Valley:

Answer 19

Between Coast/Cascade/Klamath Mountains
Umpqua River influences

Question 20

Describe Rogue Valley:

Answer 20

Warmest & driest in Oregon
Merlot, Cab, Syrah, Tempranillo, PN

Question 21

Three multistate AVAs?

Answer 21

Columbia Gorge
Columbia Valley
Walla Walla Valley

Question 22

Wine labeling laws in Oregon?

Answer 22

100% of grapes grown in Oregon
95% in stated appellation
90% variety
“Estate bottled” 100%

Question 23

Export/sales of Oregon?

Answer 23

2.5% export - Canada, UK, Japan
25% DTC
16% in state
60% other US states