What does Umpqua Taste Like?

Some say that a good wine tastes of the grape, but a great wine tastes of the place.  These folks believe in the concept of terroir.  In a word, if I am coming to the Umpqua Valley to taste the incredible wines, I’d like to taste wine made from Umpqua Valley grapes.

While the practice of producing wine in one region from the grapes of another region is a common occurrence in the USA, it is not the case in Europe.  You can be reasonably assured that the Bordeaux you’re drinking is made from a very strict list of Boudreaux varietals.  You’re tasting Bordeaux the place, not the name.

The flip side of this practice is the USA.  “You can’t tell what I can or can not do”!  You can never assume that the winemaker is using local grapes.  Thankfully the origin of the grapes must be listed on the bottle if it amounts to at least 85% of that grape.  Meaning,  the other 15% is up for grabs.  Could be bulk wine shipped in from Idaho.

The majority of wines made here in the Umpqua Valley are from estate grown grapes.  That’s huge in the wine industry.  I believe if we are to remain an “unique” wine region we must not muddy the waters with an unknown mishmash of grapes from who knows where.  As a consumer you can ask at the wineries where their grapes are sourced from.  Then you can decide if what you’re drinking is an Umpqua Valley wine or a “want-to-be”.

To be sure it does not make the wine any less delightful if the fruit is from outside the Umpqua Valley.  It’s just knowing that ultimately, we are supporting local growers, as well as, local winemakers.