12th March 2022 | Cork Talk | 6 minute read
Washington may not be the first state that pops into your mind when you think of American wine regions, but it’s a grape growing haven that produces vibrant, well-structured, world-class wines.
We take a look at this great US wine region that, in its relatively short viticultural history, has already achieved the title of America’s second largest wine producing state, just behind California.
Washington state is an enchanting region that’s well established in the wine world, yet young and different enough to still be catching consumers by surprise. Although it may not even be on some people’s radar when it comes to stocking up their wine rack, it’s a humble heavyweight in US wine that deserves to sit alongside your Bordeaux reds and crisp German whites.
Home to over 900 wineries, Washington wine region is vast and offers an idyllic climate for fantastically fruity, naturally acidic wines. What makes these wines so special is that they are typically Old World in style and grape variety, yet New World in flavour. Washington Wine Board explain more in their video all about the story of Washington wine.
Washington tends to sit at the more premium end of the wine market, with the focus being on quality rather than producing in bulk. It’s also a region of contrasts, where the vineyards are huge but the winemakers are generally from small, family-run businesses. They are passionate about crafting exceptional blends, not about building a brand.
Across the state you’ll find 14 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in total, producing over 70 different grape varieties (58% of these being red, so a fairly even split between red and white grapes).
For a region that’s only been in the wine game since the late 1960s, Washington has come a long way, quickly. Good wine is such a huge part of Washington lifestyle now that it’s all the more surprising that it doesn’t have a longer wine history.
It’s also a New World region unlike any other in terms of geography and how that influences the surprisingly traditional style of wine produced here.
Situated in the North West corner of the United States, just above Oregon, Washington benefits from a climate that’s excellent for rich, expressive wines.
Washington Wine Country, as it’s often referred to, produces all of its wine in the warmer, Eastern part of the region, where vines can soak up 17 hours of sunlight a day throughout the growing season. The long, summery days are followed by cooler nights, and it’s this brilliant balance of ample sunshine and temperature drops that creates perfect conditions for flavourful wines with distinct structure.
The grapes that thrive here are Old World favourites such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Riesling – which all do well in areas that experience plenty of sunshine and cooler nights.
As Washington has emerged on the global wine scene, it’s become renowned for its “Bordeaux style” red blends, where Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are used to make many of their reds, just like in the prestigious French appellation of Bordeaux. Syrah is another popular variety here for achieving more fruit-driven red wine.
These Washington reds are typically bright and fruity in profile, but with a noticeable acidity thanks to the region’s cool nights.
Across Washington’s 20,000 hectares of vineyards, the white grape that reigns supreme is Riesling. And it is perhaps the grape variety that defines Washington Wine Country.
Riesling is a rare grape in the sense that it can withstand lower temperatures (which is why it famously flourishes in Germany), and also enjoys high altitude, sloping vineyards – a combination of factors that produces wines with a naturally high acidity. Washington Riesling is no exception, offering crisp, refreshing and aromatic whites that rival the finest German Rieslings.
Washington’s volcanic rock and sand terroir also plays a big part in shaping its vino, producing wines that are specific to the region. So, these wines may be Old World in style, but in flavour they are very much expressions of the American landscape.
We’ve got a stellar line-up of new Washington wines that have just touched down in our warehouse. Check out the range if you fancy sampling these beauties from across the pond in your garden this summer. The off-dry Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling, in particular, is absolutely divine (and has a pretty cool label too!).
For tasting notes and pairing suggestions, hit the ‘play’ button below to hear our Wine Buyer, Sophie Lord, wine tasting her way through the new Washington collection. Take it away, Soph!
