Columbia Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) lies in the southeast of the US State of Washington and the northeast of the State of Oregon. The northernmost boundary is near the Okanagan wilderness, bordering Canada while to the south it crosses the Columbia River and the state boundary into northeastern Oregon. The western border shadows the Cascade Range to the outskirts of the Columbia Gorge AVA.
The Columbia Valley AVA is spread between 46 and 47 degrees latitudes, which is the same as the famed French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. This northern latitude gives the region two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than the wine regions of California. This longer growing time helps to intensify the grape flavors. The region lies in a rain shadow caused by the extensive Cascade Mountain Range, which contributes to making this a dry continental climate. Hot days are followed by cool nights, which helps to ensure a long even growing season with grapes able to obtain full and even ripeness while retaining the acidity necessary to balance the finished wine.
Being a dry region, irrigation is often required, which does restrict where the vineyards are located within the AVA. On the plus side, controlled irrigation can make a big difference to the yield and resulting quality of the grapes. The Columbia river and its tributaries not only provide water but also help to moderate temperatures both in the summer and in the winter where parts of Washington are just too cold for vines to survive. Even so many grape growers use wind turbines to get air circulating and prevent vines from freezing to death. The cold does have benefits, the number one being that it is too cold for the vine killing louse phylloxera to live, so nearly all the vines are planted on their own roots, which purists claim give the grapes flavors that are more original. Many fruit driven wine styles are produced across this vast region, including wines made from Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Semillon. Rich, structured Cabernet Sauvignons and supple concentrated Syrah with abundant black fruit flavors stand out amongst the reds. Merlot and Sangiovese have also been impressive.
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