Ep 263: Oregon Overview
We finally cover Oregon State in the United States -- home of much Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and lots of other great emerging varietals. The state has some challenges, but it's a fascinating place and an essential part of the American wine landscape.
Thanks to our sponsors this week (see info below for more on them!)
Here are the show notes:
Oregon Overview:
4th in production after, CA, WA, NY. (third if you only consider vitis vinifera!) Oregon produces more than 39 different varietals, grows 82 The number of vineyards in Oregon has nearly doubled since 2005 70% of Oregon wineries produce fewer than 5,000 cases a year Location, Soils:
Most winegrowing is at 45˚ north latitude – same as Beaujolais, “Burgundy”, Côte d'Or is at 47˚N Soil is important: Marine Sedimentary: Willakenzie Volcanic (Basalt): Jory, Nekia Windblown Loess (Silts): Laurelwood Wine Types:
Pinot Noir is 58% of all plantings, 59% of production Other major varieties: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon
Regions
Willamette Valley AVA
71% of wine production Largest AVA, nearly 600 wineries Grapes: Pinot, Pinot Gris, Chard, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Cab, Gewurz, etc. Sub AVAs: Chehalem Mtns, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Yamhill-Carlton District, Ribbon Ridge (in Chehalem Mtns)
Southern Oregon AVA = Rogue Valley + Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley AVA: drainage basin of Umpqua River, not mtns
Warmer than Willamette, cooler than Rogue Tempranillo, Pinot, Pinot Gris, Cab, Chard, Riesling, Gruner Rogue Valley AVA Warmest, driest region Three valleys – different terroir
Columbia Gorge AVA
Straddles Columbia River of Oregon and Washington Wide variety of grapes: Syrah, Pinot, Chard, Gewurz, Zin, Cab, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sangiovese
Columbia Valley AVA
Portions of northeastern Oregon Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs are within Washington state. - The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is in both states Syrah, Merlot, Cab, Sangiovese, some Rhône stuff
Snake River Valley AVA
Principally located in Idaho, encompasses two large counties Eastern OR Different climate – cool, low rainfall, short growing season Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today:
Last Bottle
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Jose JG Gonzalez Open Discussion - 174 - Science - Earth - More - After show
Join me on my Discord server, Church of the Cathode Follower. Most things are open for discussion, especially technology and the visual arts. As well of course the woo.
If you have a little spare cash, and would like to help support a really great community organisation, please consider the Grow Organisation. They have been supporting me for a couple of years now, and is in real danger of closing at the moment. Find them here:
And here's a direct link to the PayPal donate page: