C34 - Oregon, Washington and New York (reviewed)

Question 1

What are the two broad regions of Oregon?

Answer 1

Northern Oregon and Southern Oregon

Question 2

What is the most important AVA in Northern Oregon?

Answer 2

Willamette Valley AVA

Question 3

Discuss Willamette Valley AVA

Answer 3

Location

• West of the Cascade Mountains and stretches south from Portland

Largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in Oregon

Moderate climate

• Experiences cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean
• Growing season is dry with long sunny days and cool nights

Most planted grape: Pinot Noir

Style:

• High levels of acidity
• Ripe red fruit flavours
• Hint of cinnamon spice

Question 4

What else is widely grown in Northern Oregon? What style is it made into?

Answer 4

Pinot Gris A fruity, dry style

Question 5

DIscuss Southern Oregon AVA?

Answer 5

Locattion: Directly to the south of Willamette Valley AVA

Composed of smaller AVAs, such as Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley

Climate:

• Warmest growing conditions in Oregon
• Cooler areas within its hillsides and valleys

Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Syrah

Question 6

Where are the majority of vineyards planted in Washington State?

Answer 6

Columbia Valley AVA

Question 7

Where in Washington State is Columbia Valley AVA?

Answer 7

East of the Cascade Mountains in the valleys of the Columbia River and its tributaries

Question 8

Which are the most important smaller AVAs in Washington State? Where are they?

Answer 8

• Yakima Valley AVA
• Walla Walla AVA

Within Columbia Valley

Question 9

What is the most important aspect of climate, specific to Columbia Valley AVA? Explain why it is like this and how growers deal with it

Answer 9

Low rainfall

• Result of a rain-shadow effect from the Cascade Mountains. Growers irrigate with river water.
• Impact of rain-shadow effect:
  
  • Long daylight hours and consistent summer temperatures
  • Fruit attains optimal ripeness due to sunny days
  • Cool nights help grapes to maintain natural levels of acidity

Winter freeze - may reduce crop volumes by half or more

Question 10

What are the most important red wines and styles in Columbia Valley?

Answer 10

Most important

• Merlot - Plummy and full-bodied
• Cabernet Sauvignon - Elegant and age-worthy

Also planted

• Syrah - Full-bodied and intensely concentrated

Question 11

What are the white variety in Washington State? What style is it made in?

Answer 11

• Chardonnay
  
  • Most planted
  • Fruity wines with some toasty noted from oak
• Riesling - In a dry style with ripe stone fruit flavours

Question 12

What is unique about New York State as a wine region compared with almost any other?

Answer 12

It’s dominated by American and hybrid vine species

They are used for the production of juices and jellies as well as wines They are used for their winter hardiness

Question 13

What are the most widely planted V. Vinifera varieties in New York State?

Answer 13

• Riesling
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 14

What’s the most important area in New York State for wine production? Discuss…

Answer 14

Finger Lakes AVA

The deep, glacial lakes store heat well into November, raising the air temperature of the surrounding vineyards and extending the growing season

Grapes:

• Known for it perfumed Rieslings
• Also planted: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and a number of American varieties and hybrids

Question 15

Where are there smaller AVAs in New York State?

Answer 15

Some of the individual lakes of Finger Lakes AVA have their own AVA