The Secret to Why Washington Wines Are So Damn Good

New World in Spirit

Washington wine region is definitely an exciting place to be. First and foremost, it’s a state that prides itself on becoming a hugely influential wine region in a short space of time, that continues to evolve as the wine world changes.

Full of small, independent wineries, there is a genuine passion for wine here and it attracts many younger people into the industry who are inspired to be part of the Washington wine scene as it continues to emerge on the global wine map and gain appreciation the world over.

There is a sense of excitement, possibility, and opportunity that perhaps we wouldn’t associate with more traditional regions. A wine scene that feels accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue it, where initiatives such as The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine exist to encourage women to connect and advance in a historically male-dominated industry.

The affectionately named ‘First Ladies of Washington Wine’ are a group of growers, oenologists, wine journalists and merchants who set up the The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine. They’ve been at the forefront of women working in wine since the 1970s and 80s, learning from each other and working together to shape the industry we see today.

Linda Mercer, Cheryl Barber Jones, Luanne Holden-Boushey, Kay Simon, Dr. Sara Spayd and Mimi Nye play a big part in making Washington such a great region, and you’ll often see them hosting events and appearing on expert panels to help the next generation of aspiring winemakers.

Another key factor that makes the Washington wine scene so compelling is the huge diversity in wine styles on offer here. This is thanks to a patchwork of microclimates, areas of different altitude and a range of soil types across the state.

Its varied landscape is the result of a rich history of geological events spanning millions of years. In central and eastern Washington, lava from volcanic activity led to a basalt bedrock, while epic floods forged free-draining sandy soils, and elsewhere river rocks create a much stonier terroir.

Of course, each type of terroir produces very distinct flavours and nuances in the wines that are created from them. So winemakers in Washington are able to produce truly interesting wines in whatever style they please!

There is, however, a particular style that this region is very much suited to – and that is Old World, French style wines. At first glance, it may appear that Washington is nothing like France, so a penchant for producing French-inspired wines may be surprising. But it all makes perfect sense once you know one key fact about Washington’s location on the atlas…

Old World in Style

There are a few ways in which Washington wines are compared to French, and the main reason for these frequent comparisons is that Washington state shares the same latitude as some of France’s most iconic regions. 46° north of the equator, you’ll find Washington sitting parallel to the likes of Burgundy, Rhône and Bordeaux.

This means that Washington and France have similar climates, which is why you’ll find many Bordeaux and Rhône grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah planted here. (Syrah is the Old World term for Shiraz, so even the fact Washington winemakers call it Syrah rather than Shiraz is a nod to the French influence in this part of America.)

In a Washington Merlot, for example, you’ll find fine tannins and a velvety texture that’s reminiscent of a Merlot blend from Bordeaux. While in a Washington Chardonnay or Riesling you’re likely to find high levels of acidity, much like you’d expect from a white wine produced in one of France’s cooler regions.