Advanced Sommelier > Oregon > Flashcards

Oregon Flashcards

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1
Q

As of the close of 2018, how many acres of vines were in Oregon?

A

Almost 36,000 acres

This includes a total of 1,165 vineyards and 793 wineries.

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2
Q

What percentage of Oregon’s vineyards in 2018 was accounted for by Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris?

A

71%

Pinot Noir alone provided 64% of the state’s total harvest.

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3
Q

By early 2020, how many AVAs did Oregon claim?

A

21 AVAs

Four of these skirt the borders of Washington and Idaho in eastern Oregon.

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4
Q

Which region is considered the most important for grape growing in Oregon?

A

Willamette Valley

In 2018, it produced about 70% of the state’s grape harvest.

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5
Q

What are the three nearly parallel growing regions in Oregon?

A
  • Willamette Valley
  • Umpqua Valley
  • Rogue Valley

These regions stretch from California to Washington.

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6
Q

The Willamette Valley is bounded by which two mountain ranges?

A
  • Coast Range (west)
  • Cascades (east)

It stretches 120 miles southward from Portland.

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7
Q

What significant event in the 19th century led to the establishment of early vineyards in the Willamette Valley?

A

The Oregon Trail

Thousands of pioneers traveled westward by wagon, settling in the valley.

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8
Q

In what year did David Lett bring Pinot Noir to the Willamette Valley?

A

1965

He established the original Eyrie Vineyard in 1966.

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9
Q

Who were the two early pioneers of winemaking in the Willamette Valley?

A
  • David Lett
  • Charles Coury

They had differing perspectives on winemaking.

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10
Q

What was the outcome of David Lett’s 1975 Eyrie ‘South Block’ Pinot Noir in competitions?

A
  • 3rd place in Paris (1979)
  • 2nd place in Beaune (1980)

This brought significant attention to Oregon wines.

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11
Q

What is the LIVE Program in Oregon?

A

A non-profit organization promoting sustainable viticulture

It offers third-party sustainability certification for vineyards and wineries.

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12
Q

What percentage of Oregon’s total vineyard acreage has been certified as sustainable?

A

About 50%

This includes certifications from agencies like LIVE.

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13
Q

What are the four major soil types in the Willamette Valley?

A
  • Uplifted marine sediments
  • Volcanic soils
  • Loess
  • Nutrient-poor soils

Notably, there is no limestone or marl in the Willamette Valley.

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14
Q

What type of soils are more common on the western side of the Willamette Valley?

A

Uplifted marine sediments

These soils are derived from sandstone and shale that once composed the ocean floor.

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15
Q

What is the best-known volcanic soil type in the Willamette Valley?

A

Jory series

Named for Jory Hill in Salem, it is known for producing quality wines.

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16
Q

True or false: The Willamette Valley has a wetter climate than Burgundy.

A

TRUE

Most precipitation occurs in winter, while Burgundy receives more than 50% of its rain during the growing season.

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17
Q

What is the maximum elevation for quality red wine vineyards in the Willamette Valley?

A

800-900 ft.

This elevation helps avoid frost issues common in lower areas.

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18
Q

What pest problem is particularly high in the Willamette Valley due to its location?

A

Bird pressure

Birds can damage vineyards significantly during later harvests.

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19
Q

What is a major difference between the Willamette Valley and the Columbia Valley?

A

Soil moisture and nutrient levels

Willamette Valley growers rely on nutrient-depleted soils, while Columbia Valley growers face extreme water stress.

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20
Q

What is the best-known volcanic soil type in the Willamette Valley?

A

Jory series

Named for Jory Hill in Salem, it is recognized as the state’s “official” soil.

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21
Q

What are the two common volcanic soil types in the Willamette Valley?

A
  • Jory series
  • Nekia series

The volcanic soils tend to contain more clay and have a higher water-holding capacity.

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22
Q

What is loess?

A

A windblown soil that is anchored onto northeastern-facing hillsides of the northern valley

It predates the last ice age and is often intermixed with basalt-derived soils.

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23
Q

What are examples of loess soil series in the Willamette Valley?

A
  • Laurelwood
  • Cornelius
  • Cascade

These reddish silt soils are distinct from the more fertile flood sediments.

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24
Q

What are the Missoula Flood Deposits?

A

Flood-borne sediments that arrived as recently as 12,000 years ago

They compose about 10% of the Willamette Valley’s vineyards and are best for other forms of agriculture.

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25
What is the primary soil series from the **Missoula Flood Deposits**?
Woodburn series ## Footnote These deposits are characterized by low-lying, deep, fertile soils.
26
What are the **early Pinot Noir clones** planted in the Willamette Valley?
* Wädenswil (UCD 1A and 2A) * Pommard (UCD 4 and UCD 5) ## Footnote These clones were cuttings taken from UC Davis.
27
When did the **Dijon clones** of Pinot Noir make their debut in the United States?
1984 ## Footnote They were introduced after a quarantine at Oregon State University.
28
What are the **Dijon clones** numbers introduced for commercial planting?
* 113 * 114 * 115 * 667 * 777 ## Footnote These clones expanded the winemaking palette for Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley.
29
What was the **early vineyard architecture** borrowed from California?
Own-rooted, low densities with 10-12 ft. between rows, high trellises ## Footnote This architecture has evolved with modern practices.
30
What is the **current spacing** for modern Pinot Noir vineyards?
* 3.5-7 ft. between rows * 3-5 ft. from one vine to the next ## Footnote This spacing reflects a shift in vineyard management practices.
31
What are the **common trellising systems** being replaced in newer plots?
* Lyre * Scott Henry ## Footnote These systems are being replaced by Guyot training and vertical trellises.
32
What is a notable trend in **site selection** for vineyards in the Willamette Valley?
Growers are beginning to look more seriously at north slopes ## Footnote This shift is in response to an uncertain future climate.
33
What is a general characteristic of **Willamette Valley Pinot Noir** compared to California and Burgundy?
Brighter acidity and lower pH than California; greater fruit ripeness than Burgundy ## Footnote Alcohol levels typically fall into the 13-14% range.
34
True or false: **Chaptalization** is illegal in Oregon.
FALSE ## Footnote Chaptalization is legal in Oregon, unlike in California.
35
What are some **winemaking techniques** used in Willamette Valley?
* Whole cluster fermentations * De-stemmed fermentations ## Footnote The classic style is more likely de-stemmed.
36
What is the **first great Pinot Noir wine region** to emerge in the United States?
Willamette Valley ## Footnote It is likely the first region in the world to prove great Pinot Noir can be made outside Burgundy.
37
What is the **Dundee Hills AVA** known for?
* 12,500 acres of vine-covered hills * Elevation from 200 ft. to 1,067 ft. * Historic site of Eyrie Vineyard * Most densely planted region in Oregon * Potential for delicate and perfumed Pinot Noir ## Footnote The AVA's red Jory series soils and elevation limit frost exposure and improve air drainage.
38
What are the **major wineries** located in the **Yamhill-Carlton District AVA**?
* Elk Cove * Ken Wright * Penner-Ash ## Footnote Shea Vineyard is the AVA’s most important site.
39
The **Chehalem Mountains AVA** is characterized by which elevation range?
200 ft. to 1,633 ft. ## Footnote The highest point is Bald Peak, and it collects more rain than lower-lying areas.
40
What is the **smallest AVA** within the Willamette Valley?
Ribbon Ridge AVA ## Footnote It reaches 683 ft. in elevation and has about 620 acres under vine.
41
True or false: The **McMinnville AVA** experiences the greatest diurnal shift in the Willamette Valley.
TRUE ## Footnote Nighttime temperatures can drop by 40-50° F in the summer.
42
What is the **Eola-Amity Hills AVA** known for?
* Wind influence * Rugged tannic structure in Pinot Noir * Cooler average temperatures than areas further north ## Footnote The name Eola is derived from Aeolus, the Greek god of winds.
43
What is the significance of the **Van Duzer Corridor AVA**?
* Named for cold winds shaping the region * Characterized by marine sedimentary soils * One of the coldest and windiest areas in the Willamette ## Footnote High natural acidity and concentration of fruit are gaining appreciation.
44
What are the **two additional nested appellations** approved in 2020?
* Laurelwood District AVA * Tualatin Hills AVA ## Footnote Both are located just outside of Portland within the Willamette Valley AVA.
45
Who is credited with planting the **first Pinot Noir** grapes in the Willamette Valley?
David Lett ## Footnote He also planted the first commercial plot of Pinot Gris in North America.
46
What are the **third and fourth most planted white varieties** in the Willamette Valley?
* Riesling * Pinot Blanc ## Footnote Both varieties are capable of generating great wines.
47
Fill in the blank: The **original Chardonnay material** in the Willamette Valley came from a _______ selection from Napa’s Spring Mountain Vineyards.
Wente ## Footnote Dijon Chardonnay clones were introduced in the 1980s and adapted well to the cooler climate.
48
What is the **impact of the Van Duzer winds** on McMinnville vineyards?
* Reduces berry size and crop load * Produces thicker skins * Creates general stress for the vine and grower ## Footnote These winds help reduce fungal issues and create denser, more tannic Pinot Noir wines.
49
What is the **Laurelwood District AVA** known for?
Characteristic Laurelwood-loess soils ## Footnote It was approved in 2020 and is located just outside of Portland.
50
What is the **first wine** in the United States to carry the name of Pinot Gris on the label?
Eyrie 1970 Pinot Gris ## Footnote This wine was produced by David Lett, who also planted the first commercial plot of Pinot Gris.
51
What are the **winegrowing regions** included in the Southern Oregon AVA?
* Southern Oregon * Rogue Valley * Umpqua Valley * Red Hill Douglas County Oregon * Elkton Oregon * Applegate Valley ## Footnote The Southern Oregon AVA spans 2,285,000 acres and stretches 125 miles from south of Eugene to the California border.
52
The **Southern Oregon AVA** debuted in what year?
2004 ## Footnote It was created to provide a cohesive identity for its various winegrowing regions.
53
True or false: The **Umpqua Valley** AVA was granted in 1984.
TRUE ## Footnote The Rogue Valley AVA followed in 1991.
54
What climate characteristics does the **Southern Oregon AVA** share with inland Northern California?
* Truncated growing season * Greater danger of early fall frosts * Higher diurnal shifts * Higher growing degree-day medians ## Footnote The growing degree-day averages can be closer to 1000° higher in some areas.
55
What percentage of total plantings in Southern Oregon does **Pinot Noir** represent?
About one-fifth ## Footnote Pinot Noir is a significant grape variety in the region, despite being less recognized than those from the Willamette Valley.
56
What are the **nested AVAs** within the Umpqua Valley?
* Elkton Oregon AVA * Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVA ## Footnote Elkton Oregon is the coolest and wettest sector, while Red Hill is characterized by its red Jory soils.
57
Who planted Oregon's first **Pinot Noir grapes** in Umpqua Valley?
Richard Sommer ## Footnote He established Hillcrest Vineyards, the state's oldest estate winery.
58
What is the **Rogue Valley** known for in terms of climate?
Warmest winegrowing region in Oregon ## Footnote Some areas reach heat summation levels comparable to Bordeaux.
59
What are the **sub-regions** of the Rogue Valley?
* Illinois Valley * Applegate Valley * Bear Creek Valley ## Footnote The Applegate Valley is known for its hillside vineyards and is an independent AVA since 2000.
60
What is the **highest point** for viticulture in Oregon?
Applegate Valley ## Footnote Vineyard elevations can ascend to almost 2,000 ft. above sea level.
61
What significant event in 1851 led to the first wave of white settlers in the Rogue Valley?
Discovery of gold at Rich Gulch ## Footnote This event attracted settlers, including Peter Britt, who planted the region's first vineyard.
62
By the end of the 2000s, how many wineries were in the **Rogue Valley AVA**?
Over 40 wineries ## Footnote The region also had more than 110 vineyards.
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