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Pacific Northwest
History Grape Varieties Climate/Geography
Growing Regions
Oregon Wineries
Airlie Winery Designed and
maintained by FLB Enterprises
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USA
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Pacific Northwest
History Grape Varieties Climate/Geography
Growing Regions
Oregon Wineries
Airlie Winery Designed and
maintained by FLB Enterprises
|
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HISTORY Most vineyards in the Pacific Northwest are located between the 45th and 47th parallels about the same latitudes as Burgundy and Bordeaux. Days are long, rainfall light and nights cool. Soils are sandy and volcanic, forcing the vines to struggle. The grapes achieve full maturity over the longest growing cycle, which gives both intensity and elegance to the wines. Although the industry is still in its first generation, a unique regional flavour profile is already evident in the wines. A higher percentage of medal-winning, premium wines are produced here than anywhere else in the world. The region is split in half by the volcanic Cascade Mountains, creating two distinct microclimates. Most vineyards in the state of Oregon are planted west of the Cascades, in the rolling hills above the river valleys. The marine climate produces delicate, floral white wines and richly aromatic, fruity, brightly structured reds. Further north, in the state of Washington, most vineyards are east of the Cascades, in a sunny, dry inland desert. Warm days, very cool nights, carefully controlled irrigation and an extra-long growing season combine to produce wines of striking varietal intensity and crisp acidity. Still farther east, in western Idaho, hillside vineyards above the Snake River yield concentrated wines with balance and finesse. Washington Test plantings began in the 1950s. There are now 12,000 acres of vines: one
third red, two thirds white. Production is almost 4 million
gallons. Columbia Valley Washington's largest viticultural region, the Columbia Valley, extends from
its northernmost boundary near the Okanogan wilderness south into Oregon and
east along the Snake River to the Idaho border. The western border of the
appellation follows the Cascade Mountains to the beginning of the Columbia
Gorge. Yakima Valley This is Washington's first approved viticultural area, gaining such status in 1983. The foothills of the Cascades form the western boundary with the area extending east to the Kiona Hills near Richland. The Yakima River and the Roza and Sunnyside canals form a network of irrigation that has led to the state's highest percentage of vineyard plantings per square mile. The Yakima Valley appellation is bisected by Interstate 82, forming a convenient route for tourists to visit the many wineries congregated in this area. Walla Walla Valley Like the vast Columbia Valley appellation, the Walla Walla Valley includes areas in both Washington and Oregon. Vineyards are planted in both states and have proven successful with varieties ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Riesling and Chardonnay. GRAPE VARIETIES Wasington Wine Grapes CABERNET SAUVIGNON (cab' er nay saw' veen yawn) is the major red wine grape of Washington. Full of richness and complexity, this is the classic Northwest accompaniment to steaks, roasts or heavily seasoned entrees. CHARDONNAY (shar' doe nay) is the queen of the white grapes of Burgundy and also has a home in Washington. Rich and buttery Chardonnays with a backbone of crisp acidity complement seafood's, poultry and light meats. CHENIN BLANC (shen' in blahnc) creates a fruity wine with a lingering flavour of vanilla and pears. An outstanding sipping wine or an accompaniment to hers d'oeuvres. GEWURZTRAMINER (guh verts' tra meen' er) means 'spicy Traminer' and indeed, offers spicy fruitiness in both aroma and flavour. A favourite with Asian cooking. GRENACHE (gren ahhsh') a fruity red grape that makes full bodied Rhone-style reds as well as flavourful roses. Each is a nice complement to light meals or hers d'oeuvres. JOHANNISBERG RIESLING (See White Riesling) LEMBERGER (lem' burger) makes a fruity red wine in either light or heavy styles. Some versions can be sipped with picnics, some stand up to rich sauces and red meats. MADELEINE ANGEVINE offers wines of spicy-herbal aroma with crisp acidity to accompany light foods MERLOT (mare low') is a fast growing varietal in Washington. It produces a rich and plummy red wine that is gentle on the palate. Merlot is a great accompaniment to sharp cheeses and flavourful meats. MULLER-THURGAU (mooler ter' gaoo) produces crisp and fruity wines to accompany lighter meals or snacks. MUSCAT (muss' cat) offers a floral fragrance preferred by many beginning wine lovers. Northwest varieties include both off-dry sipping wines and sweet late-harvest styles. PINOT NOIR (pee' noh nwahr') makes a red wine with less intensity than Cabernet. Complex aromas of cherry and herbs complement chicken, duck and other light meats. SAUVIGNON BLANC (saw' veen yawn blahnc) is the white grape relative of Cabernet Sauvignon. This is also the variety that often is called Fume Blanc when aged in oak. Excellent with a variety of seafoods, also as an aperitif. SEMILLON (say' me on) is a lesser known grape variety that produces a fruity and herbal wine for sipping with savoury hers d'oeuvres or light meals - especially shellfish. WHITE RIESLING (reez' ling) is also called Johannisberg Riesling in Washington. A convention of usage has evolved where wines labelled 'White Riesling' are often sweeter versions and those labelled 'Johannisberg Riesling' are dry or off dry. Delightfully fruity with an aroma of peaches or apricots, the flavour complements a wide spectrum of appetisers, entrees and desserts. Oregon. Began in the 1960s, with Riesling, then Pinot Noir. Now has 6,000 acres of vineyard in what is probably the most diverse wine-growing climate of any American region. There are world-class research facilities in both these major regions. A Unique Growing Region... Wines made from Oregon's Fabulous
berries such as raspberries, blackberries and boysenbenies are unparalleled in
flavor. Oregon wines reflect the individualism and pioneering spirit of the people who make them. The varied terrains and growing regions conspire to make each bottle of wine as distinct as the luscious fruit that created it. Oregon Wine Labels With special thanks to and by kind permission of : The Wine Institute of California, The New York Wine & Grape Foundation and the Pacific Northwest Wine Coalition. CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY Located on approximately the same latitude as the great wine regions of Europe, Washington enjoys a long summer growing season perfect for the cultivation of wine grapes. The warm days, followed by cool nights, slowly ripen the grapes while preserving the acidity so crucial to the making of fine-quality wines. Crapes are grown on both sides of the Cascade Mountains. In Western
Washington, the early-ripening varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown as
well as Riesling, Muller-Thurgau, Gewurztraminer and other Germanic varietal
crosses. Eastern Washington falls under the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains. In
the past 40 years this natural desert-like area has been brought to bloom by the
use of irrigation from the Columbia River and her tributaries. The Yakima
Valley's Roza and Sunnyside Canals and water taken directly from the Columbia
and Yakima Rivers bring life and bounty to the vineyards of the area. Designed and
maintained by FLB Enterprises
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