Spring Valley Uriah 2009 750ml

Winery: Spring Valley

Region: Washington State

Washington state currently holds host to over six hundred wineries, each producing wines using the many classic grape varietals which flourish in the arid, dry region to the east of the Cascade mountains. Since the Washington wine industry began in the beginning of the 19th century, great efforts have been made to irrigate the semi-desert which makes up much of the state, and the results have been enormously successful in regards to creating an environment in which a wide range of grapevines can flourish. There are certain fine wineries in the wetter western region of Washington, although these make up less than one percent of the region's overall wine production levels. Recent decades have seen red wines becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and many of those produced in Washington are considered to be amongst the country's finest produce.

Country: United States

Whilst there are several strains of native grape varietals in the United States, it was the introduction of the European species which prompted the country to begin producing wines on a large scale. Over the past few centuries, experimentation and cross-breeding has produced great successes in regards to the quality and suitability of the fruit grown in states such as California, Oregon, Washington and New York, and the past few decades have seen New World wines from the United States reach much higher standards. Arguably the finest United States wines have always come out of California, where the climate and terrroir is most suitable for fine wine production. The masterful blending of classic grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, amongst others including Syrah and Chardonnay, have had world beating results in recent years, prompting many to suggest that there has never been a better time for buying and drinking United States wines.

Appellation: Walla Walla

The beautiful sub-region of Walla Walla sits within the vast Washington State wine region of Columbia Valley, in the dry and arid, gently sloping lowlands which typify the area. The region has been building up a powerful reputation over the past few decades, and dozens of wineries have opened within the sub-region of Walla Walla over the past twenty years, helping it establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of United States wines. Walla Walla is internationally renowned for the high quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varietal wines, made from imported French grape varietals which adore the dry and arid soils which are found within the region. However, many grape varietals thrive within Walla Walla, and wineries are now expanding their portfolios and creating a wide array of wines.