Discovery Series Explores the Red Wines of Washington State
When it comes to unique wines of great quality and quantity, Washington should be on your radar. It’s the second-largest wine-growing state in the U.S., behind California, occupying latitudes similar to some of Europe’s top wine-producing regions.
Red Grapes Flourish in Washington’s Landscapes
The Cascades and the Olympic Mountains.
Western mountain ranges influence rainfall, creating a “rain shadow” which reduces rainfall totals, for the eastern part of the state. This creates the perfectly drier conditions ideal for growing red grape varieties east of the Cascades.
Red Grapes Flourish in Washington’s Landscapes
Diverse soils.
Washington has a wide variety of soil types formed or deposited by a combination of many things including prehistoric glacial activity and flooding, volcanic eruptions and deposits, and the results of erosion.
Red Grapes Flourish in Washington’s Landscapes
Ancient landscapes.
Washington is known for many unique landscapes, all carved by the area’s turbulent but influential history with volcanoes, glaciers and water, such as the Columbia River and the Columbia River Gorge.
Red Grapes Flourish in Washington’s Landscapes
A red wine cornucopia.
Due to Washington’s distinct terroirs, red grapes flourish and comprise about 60% of total plantings. Many varietals are bottled solo, from a single varietal, but there’s also a plethora of blends from which to choose.