WeeklyWinePick.com » Oregon

Not All Pinots Are Red

Dick Rosano — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:56:02 +0000

In the U.S., red wine has been all the rage since the 1980s, when American wine lovers discovered that the depth and texture of these dark wines offered more rewards than the simple, sometimes flat white wines that were being served back then. American white wines were simply soulless, and the European white wines that make landfall here were often the ones that were dismissed in their homeland as being unfit for the European table.

White wine makers finally realized that they were being scoffed at and decided to ramp up the quality to retake their market share. And red wine drinkers who, for years, tut-tutted the shallow whites as useless suddenly discovered the joys of a lightly chilled and briskly acidic wine as a come-hither invitation to the delights of the table.

Chardonnay was good, but had already given birth to an anti- market. Dubbed ABC wine, it referred to wine drinkers looking for “anything but Chardonnay.” There was a dalliance with Viognier and Riesling, and perennial flirtations with exotic Old World wines like Torrontes, Marsanne, Aligoté, and Albariño, but as aperitif wines go, we were looking for brisk, lively wines that tantalized the palate and prepared us for the meal.

Enter Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. Not the PGs of years past, wines that lacked finish and were hard to distinguish from the water glass standing next to it. PGs of today boast a panoply of flavors, citrus overtones, balance, and – more so in the case of Pinot Gris – supple textures.

I would still choose a Pinot Grigio for a pre-prandial drink. Its racy flavors and gulpability are perfect for the first drink of the evening. And I would pick Pinot Gris, with its fuller mouthfeel and longer impression as the wine to serve with food. But both have their place.

Banfi 2010 Le Rime Pinot Grigio (Tuscany, $9). Refreshing and bright, with lemony acidity.

Castello di Gabbiano 2010 Pinot Grigio (Tuscany, $8). Scents of lemon zest and lime come first, followed by a zesty, bright fruity wine with highlights of citrus.

Erath 2009 Pinot Gris (Oregon, $14). Silky smooth, luscious white peach and pear flavors yet with a tingling threat of acidity to hold it all together.

Kumeu River 2009 Pinot Gris (Auckland, New Zealand, $21). Peach and vanilla on the nose, followed by the rich flavors of ripe peach and tropical fruit. The slightly oily hint to the texture bodes well and shows a full-bodied wine to pair well with cream-based dishes.

Ponzi 2010 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley, $15). Zesty and refreshing, hint of lime and floral accents on nose, main theme of lime on palate, with citrus acidity bracing the entire impression.

Santa Cristina 2010 Pinot Grigio (Sicily, $16). Crisp bright fruit aromas with a floral hint, slight apple and citrus flavors with touch of orange on finish.

WillaKenzie 2010 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley, $21). Crisp, fresh, lively acidity, bright pear and crisp apple flavors, touch of pineapple on finish.

Oregon’s Wine Country – Falling in Love with Pinot Noir All Over Again

Derek Swanson — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:14:31 +0000

This week’s pick comes from Heidi Butzine, Author of Wineopolis Wine Travel Guide book series and Certified Wine Expert Program Director at Bartenders Association Internationale: ”As a wine travel writer and educator, I am lucky to have tasted many fantastic wines from around the world. During my travels through Oregon’s Wine Country, I enjoyed a wide range of styles and characters of the state’s Pinot Noir from Umpqua all the way to the Washington border, but it was the meal at The Joel Palmer House in the heart of the Willamette Valley, where I fell in love with Pinot Noir all over again.

“It was the 2005 Broadley Vineyards Shea Pinot Noir that did it. The perfect balance of smooth, earthy, spicy and fruitiness to go along with the hand-picked wild mushroom tart. The complexity of this Pinot is what is most memorable – it continued to give more as the meal progressed. First, subtle tannins, forest floor, herbal and spice aromas with cherry flavors. For its second act, still smooth and even more aromatic with floral and vanilla perfumes, hearty roast and rich blackberry flavors – which played nicely with the beef stroganoff and the filet mignon with porcini mushroom demi-glace.

“Broadley Vineyards is a family-run vineyard and winery in the Yamhill-Carlton district producing some of the best Pinot from Oregon. The winemaker’s talents clearly shine through in this wine.”

About Heidi:

Heidi Butzine, CWX is the author of the Wineopolis® Wine-travel Guidebook series, curriculum author and Program Director for the Certified Wine Expert® Training and Certification Program. She is also a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association and the Society of Wine Educators. Heidi is a native Californian and she loves wine (but couldn’t grow grapes if her life depended on it). In addition to writing and helping others learn about wine, she dabbles in photography, loves to cook when inspired, plays on the drums once in a while and occasionally speaks French.

Rhone Rangers Ride Into DC

Derek Swanson — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:51:04 +0000

Tonight, June 11 at the Museum of Natural History, the Rhone Rangers continue a series of special events in DC by participating in The Smithsonian’s Savoring Sustainable Seafood reception. The winemakers of the organization will pour wines made from Rhone varietals to match with dishes prepared by dozens of notable DC chefs, including Robert Wiedmaier, Roberto Donna and Bryan Voltaggio. Details and tickets are available at this link.

Participating Wineries include Bonny Doon Vineyard, Cline Cellars, Clos Saron, D.H. Gustafson Family Vineyards, Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards, Folin Cellars, Guy Riedel Wines, Katin, Rocca Family Vineyards, Sawtooth Winery, Stage Left Cellars, Stark Wine, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Tarara Winery, Tercero Wines, Terry Hoage Vineyards, and Vina Robles.

Winemaker Rob Folin

The Rhone Rangers held a press tasting at Zola Kitchen yesterday featuring outstanding white wines made from Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc, and reds made from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. My favorites were: Folin Cellars 2008 “Misceo” red blend from Oregon, which was lush and velvety with layers of dark berry and a hint of cocoa; Tablas Creek 2008 “Cotes de Tablas Blanc”, which offered hints of tropical fruit, melon and citrus with great acidity; and Terry Hoage’s (the Redskins Superbowl Champ) “Skins” Grenache which was peppery with plums and very refined.

If you can’t catch them while they are in town tonight at the Smithsonian, their wines are definitely worth seeking out.

Erath Estate Selection Pinot Noir, Oregon

Derek Swanson — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:11:51 +0000

This week’s pick comes from Richard Barbato, sommelier at 22 Bowens in Newport, Rhode Island: “One of my favorite wines is Erath Estate Selection Pinot Noir for a couple of reasons. For such a quality-made wine it is moderately priced; it’s a “great value” wine. It has a great balance of spice (cinnamon and anise) and fruit (red plum) which gives it a silky mouth feel. It works well with Duck, Salmon, and Filet. It even works well with chocolate. 91 points from Wine Spectator, it’s an easy sell for people who love their Oregon Pinot Noirs.”

Located amidst bustling Bowen’s Wharf in the heart of downtown Newport, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille is a world-class steakhouse serving USDA Prime beef, New England’s finest seafood, and is complemented by an award-winning wine list. On February 2, the restaurant will present an exclusive dinner featuring the wines of Nickel & Nickel Single Vineyards. Host Larry Maguire of Nickel & Nickel will lead guests through each selection of wine as they are paired with Executive Sous Chef Chris Jones’ elegant four-course dinner.

Find this wine at a retailer near you using Wine-Searcher.

2007 Dominio IV “Still Life” Viognier, Columbia Gorge, Oregon

Derek Swanson — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:41:02 +0000

This week’s pick is a finely crafted Voignier from two vineyards within Oregon’s Portion of the Columbia Gorge AVA. It is recommended by Timothy Nishimoto, owner of Vino Paradiso in Portland. Timothy serves over 40 wines by the glass, paired with locally sourced organic creations that are easy on the wallet.

Timothy is fond of this voignier because of the white fruit and mineral flavors that linger after each sip. Dominio IV is located at Three Sleeps Vineyard in Mosier, Oregon. In addition to this Voignier, they make red wines from Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Tempranillo. This wonderful white retails for about $30.

2006 Elk Cove Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon

Derek Swanson — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:45:23 +0000

This week’s pick comes from Gary Kneski, the brains behind Thirst one of Portland’s (OR) most popular wine bars. Gary recommends seeking out the 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Elk Cove Vineyards. “Year after year, it is always a consistent selection with a nice balance of fruit and acid which makes it an excellent wine to pair with food,” states Gary.
Elk Cove Vineyards celebrated their 30th anniversary last year. They use sustainable agriculture practices in each of their five vineyards and age the hand-harvested grapes for eleven months in French oak. This wine is widely available in many retail outsets across the United States for just over $20.

While in the Portland, Oregon area, relax by stopping by one of Thirst’s two locations. They serve over thirty wines by the glass, and offer a delicious assortment of regionally inspired light snacks and meals.

2006 Adelsheim Auxerrois, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Derek Swanson — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:27:46 +0000

This week we take a break from the reds with a pick from sommelier Jamie Smith of Enology Wine Bar in the Nation’s capital. Steps from the National Cathedral, Enology’s unique approach of offering exclusively domestic wines is a real winner. 78 wines by the glass, which can be sampled in flights, allow patrons to try American wines that are both exclusive and unusual.

One such varietal is Auxerrois, a somewhat rare grape historically used to augment blends in Alsace. Adelsheim Vineyard has discovered the key to maximizing the potential of this grape. It thrives in the Ribbon Springs Vineyard, which offers a cool climate and ample moisture.

Adelsheim has earned a stellar reputation for quality in the Willamette Valley. Their Auxerrois is a terrific wine to begin a meal with, offering a variety of refreshing flavors that pair first-courses popular in the warmer months. If you are only familiar with Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, it is time to get to know this varietal, available for $20.

Additionally, start saving your natural cords. There is a great charity in Nashville that puts them to good use. See our Corks 4 Charity page for details.