Washington

Question 1

Washington is the ___ largest state in America in terms of wine production.

Answer 1

2nd

Question 2

What role do the Cascade Mountains play in Washington?

Answer 2

They block wet pacific weather, creating warm, dry conditions

Question 3

When were the first grapes planted in Washington?

Where, and by who?

Answer 3

1825

In Fort Vancouver by Hudson’s Bay Company

Question 4

Where do the majority of Washington producers source their irrigation water from?

Answer 4

Melt water off the Cascade Mountains

Question 5

What wine company accounts for over half of all production in Washington?

Answer 5

Chateau Sainte Michelle

Question 6

Name the five most planted grape varieties in Washington

Answer 6

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Chardonnay
Riesling
Syrah

Question 7

Describe the general growing conditions in Washington and the resulting fruit grown.

Answer 7

Warm, sunny dry growing conditions with cold nights

Wines have ripe fruit flavours and sometimes high ABV, but often medium to high acidity

Question 8

Is new oak use common in Washington?

Answer 8

Yes, but some may use older/ larger vessels (particularly for Syrah)

Question 9

Is Syrah typically fermented whole bunch or destemmed in Washington?

Answer 9

Both are options used

Question 10

Is Riesling in Washington typically made in a dry or off dry style?

Answer 10

Off-dry with 10 to 15g residual sugar

Producers are also experimenting with dry and off-dry styles

Question 11

Describe the climate in Columbia Valley AVA

Answer 11

Continental

Hot, dry summers with long sunlight hours, rapidly cooling in winter and autumn

Question 12

What is the average rainfall in Columbia Valley AVA?

What contributes to this?

Answer 12

150-250mm per annum

Cascade mountains act as a rain shadow promoting arid conditions

Question 13

How do hot summers followed by cool autumns affect grape ripening in Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Describe the soils in Columbia Valley AVA

Answer 14

Complex soils of basalt bedrock with sandy, silty loess and alluvial topsoils

Free draining and low in nutrients: need for irrigation

Question 15

What factors mean that disease pressure is low in Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 15

• 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

Question 16

What weather hazards threaten Columbia Valley AVA?

What can be done to mitigate these risks?

Answer 16

Drought: installation of irrigation
Frost: plant on slopes
Winter freeze: plant on slopes

Question 17

What is the largest sub AVA in Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 17

Yakima Valley AVA

Question 18

What is the most planted grape in Yakima Valley AVA?

Answer 18

Chardonnay

Question 19

Why are many vineyards planted on slopes in Yakima Valley AVA?

Answer 19

To avoid frost and promote air circulation

Question 20

What are the three AVAs encompassed by Yakima Valley AVA?

Answer 20

Red Mountain AVA
Rattlesnake Hills AVA
Snipes Mountain AVA

Question 21

Which aspect would you expect most vineyards to have in Red Mountain AVA?

Answer 21

South West

Question 22

Do black or white grapes dominate in Red Mountain AVA? Why?

Give a typical tasting note

Answer 22

Red (particularly Cab)
One of the warmest AVAs in Washington

Ripe fruit
Medium (+) acidity (high diurnal range)
Full bodied
High alcohol

Question 23

Which aspect would you expect most vineyards to have in Rattlesnake Hills AVA?

Answer 23

South

Question 24

Describe Rattlesnake Hills AVA’s climate in comparison to the rest of Yakima Valley and what influences this.

Answer 24

Cooler than other AVA’s - it is at higher altitudes

Question 25

Which AVA is found between Yakima Valley to north and Columbia River and the state border with Oregon to the south?

Answer 25

Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Question 26

How much of Washington’s wine production is from Horse Heaven Hills AVA?

Answer 26

25%

Question 27

What causes strong winds in Horse Heaven Hills AVA?

What positive effects do these winds have?

Answer 27

Sloped topography
Breezes off the Columbia River

Reduce frost risk
Extend potential growing season
Reduce disease pressure

Question 28

Do black or white grapes dominate Horse Heaven Hills production?

Answer 28

Black - Cab, Merlot and Syrah make up 66%

Question 29

Wahluke Slope AVA in Washington has some of the ____ and ____ growing conditions in the state.

Answer 29

Warmest and driest

Question 30

Describe the exposure, topography and soils in Wahluke Slope AVA

Answer 30

South facing gentle slopes (max sun exposure)

Sandy, free draining soils (irrigation needed)

Question 31

Why are vineyards planted on sloped topography and close to the river in Wahluke Slope AVA?

Answer 31

Increases air flow

Reduces frost risk

Question 32

What three grapes dominate production in Wahluke Slope AVA?

Answer 32

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah

Question 33

Which hybrid varieties are commonly found in Puget Sound AVA?

Answer 33

Madeleine Angevine
Muller Thurgau
Siegerebbe

Question 34

Describe the typical climatic conditions in summers and winters in Puget Sound AVA.

Answer 34

Warm dry summers

Cold wet winters

Question 35

What is the average rainfall in Puget Sound AVA?

Why is this different to AVAs in Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Name the two most planted Vitis Vinifera vines in Puget Sound AVA.

Answer 36

Pinot Noir

Riesling

Question 37

Where is most of Washington’s wine production sold?

What is a good route to market here?

Answer 37

In state

Cellar door sales

Question 38

How have plantings in Washington changed?

Answer 38

Focus used to be on Riesling, moved more towards Rhône and Bordeaux varietals