Movie, Company, Cheese, Crackers, and of course, Wine!

Those of you who have read many of my posts, you know that I like to start my week off with a glass of wine at 8pm on Sundays, and this particular Sunday was no different. The time was 7:30pm and I opened my bottle of wine. I had invited Ryan, a former student of mine, over to enjoy this recently procured bottle and to hear about how his Spring Break.

While the wine was breathing, I cut and plated some Tillamook cheddar and pepper-jack cheeses, with some garlic Triscuits. When I poured the wine, the first words out of Ryan's mouth was, "That's good!" Ryan was enjoying the flavor of the pinot noir that was in front of him. With a rich color, oak-filled and spicy flavor, and an enjoyable nose, it would be hard to not find this wine good. This is not a big red wine, but rather a "regular" pinot noir that I enjoyed the moment it first hit my tongue, and I knew Ryan would enjoy it as well.

Over the last nearly two years, Ryan and I have talked about wine. What is good wine, what is bad one, and what makes it that way. We have talked about wines that we enjoy and ones that didn't sit well either of us. This particular evening, Ryan told me about some of the wine he had while in Seattle with his girlfriend over this last Spring Break. We continued to enjoy the wine, cheese, and crackers, and decided to put a movie in the background, so on went "The Talented Mr. Ripley." But then Ryan asked how I come about this particular bottle of wine. I re-told the story of Josh and I from just the week before.

Josh did a great job of telling you how we ended up at Belle Vallee, but I have to say, when I walked into the tasting room, I kind of just thought it was the place that I was meant to be at that exact moment. I know it's a bit odd to say about wine and a tasting room, but it was perfect. From the enthusiastic conversation I got the chance to observe Aubrie and Josh having, to the ambiance of the tasting room with its various maps of Oregon growing areas, it was a great experience.

This 2007 pinot was the first one Aubrie poured for us, and everything about it was so amiable, that I knew I would minimally be leaving with at least one bottle of it. Knowing how much I enjoyed it made me realize that this would be a good wine to catch-up with Ryan over. I did subsequently leave Belle Vallee with four bottles of wine, and I will do my best to write about all of them here on the TOWB. But this is a pinot you should go out and secure, you will not regret it!

As for this particular Sunday, it was a great way to start the week.










Until next time...

2007 Signature Pinot Gris

What a beautiful day we had here in the Willamette Valley today - the sky full of sunshine and dotted with clouds. A gentle, though at times chilly, breeze rubbed its hands on the face, and temperatures were in the low-50s. No, not too bad of a day at all.

I spent part of the day cleaning and prepping for the week, and part of the day watching collegiate baseball - congratulations to the Willamette University Bearcats for their sweep of the Whitworth Pirates! Then, true to form, I was on a quest for which wine I would open this evening. I searched through my numerous bottles, despite thinking that I had a wine in mind, and finally made a decision.

In the Fall, Josh and I had made our way to King Estate for lunch. I was a bit naive to think that
the patio would still be open, based on when we went (early October I think), but to no avail. The day was a bit chilly, probably about the same as today, but when going from Summer to Fall, the same temperature can feel very different than when going from Winter to Spring. The sky was also a more consistent overcast sky than today, but I digress. We did some tasting before we sat down to eat and one of the wines that we tried as the 2007 Signature Oregon Pinot Gris. Now I don't recall what we ate, or what wine we had with lunch, but I do know that both Josh and I enjoyed this wine so much that we each left with a bottle.

I stopped by my neighborhood grocery store, on my way home from baseball, in order to pick up a baguette and brie to enjoy with my wine. After having let the Pinot Gris chill for a while, I opened it and sat down to enjoy my evening. I opened the bottle, poured a glass and was reminded what I liked about this wine. The color on it is one that is similar to a white grape - a lightened golden color. When swirled there is a nice coat with even legs around my glass.

The nose, oh the nose here is quite good, yet is a bit deceiving. I find the nose to be more like that of a late harvest wine or dessert wine - a bit on the sweeter side (I definitely welcome anyone else, including Josh, to describe it in their own way). Other ways/things I notice about the nose include a mixture of grapes with a hint of pears/citrus. The Winemaker's Notes describe the aroma of the following: "Ripe peach, sweet grapefruit, orange blossom and tropical fruit."

I describe the palate of this wine as mixed :-) There is a quick tartness that is frequently noticeable with a Pinot Gris. But this one has the citrus flavor that is not overt, and overpowering. There is no real sweetness like the nose would imply, but as the Winemaker's Notes suggest, it is "balanced". There is no one flavor that is too domineering over the others. There no heavy aftertaste or warming feeling on the throat or the palate. It was almost as if once you swallowed it, there was really nothing left to remind you of the wine, except your memories.

I find this Pinot Gris to be a clean and enjoyable wine. What a great way to end the weekend, while preparing for what will be a long and full week! Wishing the best to all of you.

Until next time...

2007 Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Vintage Reisling

*Josh briefly mentioned this type of wine in his post about his dinner in Dallas.*

A couple of weeks ago, two of my brothers, Harbs and Blake, came down for the WSU-OSU football game. Being one of the great guests he is, Harbs presented me with a bottle of the 2007 Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling. Now usually, I enjoy a glass of wine on Sundays to start the week. This week however, I made the conscious effort to put it off for a day or two, which leads to this evening.

Today was a beautiful day in the Willamette Valley. It started with a dense fog that lovingly envelopes everything around it. As I walked to my office much earlier than I should have, I wished I had my camera to grab a couple shots of Salem and my University's campus in the fog. Today was also a very long and busy day that brought me to many meetings in and out of my office, so when I returned home to truly lounge, I decided it was a perfect day to open this Riesling.

The bottle had been chilling for quite a while, perhaps a little longer than it should have. As I poured it into my glass, I was struck by the very clear liquid that came from the bottle. This particular Riesling has a light tinge of yellow - noticeable, but not too heavy. This wine also has a lighter coating on the glass. The nose is quite enjoyable - you are able to notice the pears, the grapes, and you can smell a bit of sweetness to it as well.

On the palate there is a little bit of tartness, but then that is overcome with a bit of sweetness - a trait very common in Rieslings. As you swallow you are able to gather the fruity flavor on your tongue. Again, it is not a very heavy flavor, but it is noticeable and one that you are able to enjoy without it being overbearing, even for those who might not like sweeter wines. There is a bit of warmth that slightly lingers in the throat from this wine, but again, not uncomfortable, but present.

One of the best things I enjoy about Rieslings is that they tend to be wines that you can enjoy on a casual basis. You don't have to have it with dinner, although you can. It doesn't have to be a special occasion. You can appreciate it on a cool fall evening, alone or with friends.

Until next time...

"Crisp"

The close of this academic year means the nearing of my one year anniversary working at my current institution. The end of the the 2007-2008 academic year also brings new changes for me in that I relocated to a new apartment, which I moved into this past weekend. As I sat in my old empty apartment the last night I was there (this past Saturday), I enjoyed a bottle from my recent wine guild shipment - a 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling.

As per the label, the grapes in this wine are "pressed" rather than crushed with the "juice fermented slowly in cold temperatures to enhance varietal flavor." The description makes note of this Riesling as "fruity, clean, and crisp, with acidity in balance with sweetness."

I have to say that I am glad to read that "crisp" is one of the ways the winegrowers and makers would speak of this wine, because as I sat in my old apartment drinking it, that was honestly one of the first descriptors to come to mind..."crisp."

This Riesling has a nice clear white grape hue to it. I may have chilled it too much because I was not able to see how it coats the glass. The nose on it though - quite enjoyable. The nose is one that makes you think there are pears combined with the grapes to give it this nice, lightly sweet scent, but not too heavy. The taste on this wine is also enjoyable and pleasant enough that it can be consumed by itself, as I did.

The taste of this wine can really only be described as "crisp." One of the first things you taste is this combination of pears and grapes. The reason I think you might taste pears is because the grapes of Rieslings are a little sweeter, but not overly. As such it may make you think of a pear mixed with a grape. But this sweet flavor lingers just a little bit on the palate, with a hint of acidity. The sweetness slowly melts away to a light and gentle tartness of the grapes, which is the last taste on your tongue.

This "crisp," clean, and enjoyable wine was a great way to end the time I spent in my first apartment in the Willamette Valley.

2007 Top Stories

In their January issue, Oregon Wine Press staff put together a feature listing what they consider to be the top 10 stories of 2007 in the Oregon wine industry. This was an interesting list to peruse, and I was excited to note that we have covered a number of the issues on The Oregon Wine Blog over the previous 6 months. Here are the top 10 (from OWP):

1. Yes on 49: Oregonians support Measure 49, maintaining protectios on forests, famrland, and vineyards.


2. Green scene: With global warming in the news, Oregon's wine industry is doing its part on being green. Read about a leading green winery in The Oregon Wine Blog.


3. Labor limbo: Illegal worker issue will impact wine industry.


4. Cuvee coup: The lastest updates on regulations offer Oregon's wine industry flexibility to create the highest quality in an increasingly competitive market. Read about this in The Oregon Wine Blog.


5. Harvest '07: Weather presented some real challenges, but diligent farming and skillful winemaking will result in many hight quality, lower alcohol wines. Read about this in The Oregon Wine Blog.


6. Fruit sources refashioned: Three of the most well-respected vineyards cmae under new ownership or long-term contract.


7. Moratorium on AVA approvals: Temporary suspension of AVA approvals leaves Oregon's growing industry in appellation limbo. Read about this in The Oregon Wine Blog.


8. Oregon Riedel: Oregon Pinot now has its own wineglass from one of the best crystal designers in the world.


9. The Allison: Details of Oregon wine region's first luxury inn, spa revealed at groundbreaking ceremony.


10. Salud! '07: The latest pinot relases shine and record money is raised at the industry's most beloved auction benefitting Oregon's vineyard workers.

Do you agree with this list? Are there other stories that should be included? How did these issues impact your Oregon wine experience in 2007?

In other industry news, The Oregonian reported on Thursday that Wine Business Monthly recently named Willamette Valley Vineyards as the hottest small brand of 2007. WVV is Oregon's only publicly held winery (Nasdaq: WVVI) and has been showing record growth while maintaining high quality product.

Celebration Oregon!

Yesterday brought the annual Celebration Oregon! event, an evening to recognize exceptional Oregon wine, winemakers, and chefs. Held on the opening night of the Oregon State Fair, it served to present the winners of the 2007 Oregon Wine Competition.

Desilet, Micheal, and myself decided to check the event out and we were immediately struck by the quality of culinary delights that were present to match the wine that was being poured. A majority of the wineries that entered wine into the competition were present, and many of them had the owner or winemaker pouring. The event felt like a private garden right in the middle of the fairgrounds -- and we tried some great wine.

To start off, the winners:

Best of Show:

• Firesteed 2005 Pinot Gris

Best of Classification:

• Firesteed 2005 Pinot Gris
• Griffin Creek 2004 Syrah
• Orchard Heights Late Harvest Pinot Gris

Gold Medal Winners:

• Amity 2006 Pinot Noir Ecowine
• Eola Hills 2006 Riesling
• Firesteed 2005 Pinot Gris
• Griffin Creek 2004 Syrah
• Orchard Heights 2005 Late Harvest Dessert
• Tualatin Estate 2006 Semi Sparkling Muscat
• Tualatin Estate 2005 Pinot Noir
• Vitis Ridge 2006 Early Muscat

I tried the majority of these wines and particularly enjoyed the Firesteed Gris (released today retail) and the Orchard Heights Late Harvest Pinot Gris. Some other wines of note that I especially enjoyed included La Velle Pinot Noir and Riesling (both bronze medal winners) and Airlie 7 (a silver medal winning white blend--mostly riesling and muller-thurgau).

While Firesteed took the show, the Willamette Valley Vineyards portfolio (including Griffin Creek and Tualatin Estate) had a great night. In addition to their best of classification and two golds above, silver medal winners included the Griffin 05 Cab Franc and 05 Syrah and WVV 06 Pinot Gris and 06 Riesling. Bronze medal winners included the Griffin Creek 06 Cab Sauv, 02 Merlot, 04 Malbec, 04 Viognier, and 05 Tempranillo as well as WVV 04 Chard, 05 Estate Pinot Noir, and 06 Pinot Noir.