Archive for the ‘Oregon Wines’ Category
Varietal: 100% Gewurztraminer
Region: Rogue Valley – Oregon – USA
Cost: $14.50
Winemaker’s Notes: Citrus blossom, orange peel, wildflower honey, and a hint of nutmeg are aromatically enticing. Beautifully balanced flavors of pineapple, guava, nectarine, and a trace of ginger spice are rich yet restrained, opulent, but not over the top.
My Review: I don’t think it’s any surprise by this point when I say I’m always cautious when picking a Gewurztraminer. As an Army brat I spent a good bit of time in Germany where I was exposed to bottles of it that I’m pretty sure could have been used as syrup on pancakes and waffles. That being said, it is a historically good pairing with Thanksgiving dinner, so I had grabbed a bottle from my local wine shop and took it with me last month for the feast. The bottle, however, didn’t get opened, so I brought it back home with me and opened it this past weekend with my wife.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Willamette Valley – Oregon – USA
Cost: $22
Winemaker’s Notes: The medium garnet color introduces a bright aroma of raspberry, cherry, and cedar with hints of pie spice, sandalwood, and dried cherry. On the palate it opens to ripe cherry, red and black raspberry, and mocha accents supported by a medium plus body and full, fine grained tannins. Pairs well with grilled meats, flavorful sauces, and rich farmhouse cheeses.
My Review: This wasn’t the first time I’d had the 2009 Montinore Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, no that would have been some weeks ago at my local Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar where Mike, our favorite bartender there, convinced my wife and I to give it a try during a visit there for happy hour. We liked it so much I went online and ordered half a case of it.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Gris
Region: Oregon – USA
Cost: $15
My Review: I don’t drink too much Pinot Gris, so when the Good Works Wine Club included a bottle in a recent sample pack they sent to me I was certainly interested to try it. If you don’t remember my previous mention of the Good Works Wine Club you can check out the details of their organization here, but the long and short of it is that they make charitable donations when you buy wine from them.
With Cinco de Mayo upon us, my wife and I decided to forgo the typical “Mexican” food that is prepared on this “holiday” and went with some tequila/lime chicken and homemade fried rice with bell peppers. Wanting something crisp and acidic to go with that, and not feeling like blending up some margaritas, I decided to open up the bottle of 2009 Winfield Estate Pinot Gris, wanting to see just how “bone dry” it really was. It was plenty dry.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon – USA
Cost: $20
My Review: I’m never one to turn away a sample bottle of Pinot Noir, but I was intrigued when the Good Works Wine Club asked if I would review a few bottles for them. I’ve been seeing a trend in wine and charity going hand in hand, and it’s a trend I’m enjoying. I won’t lie and say I’m the most charitable person in the world, but if I can combine charity with something that I do enjoy, like say wine, well then we can talk.
The Good Works Wine Club is a wine club with no membership fees. When you sign up, you will be asked to choose a non-profit, they have a list to choose from or you can request to add another, and 20% of your purchase price will be donated to that non-profit. That alone should have people rushing to sign up and order wine as there’s some really good causes already listed on the site.
So I know there were plenty of websites and blogs just like this one giving advice on what to drink during your holiday dinner plans. However, I wanted to share with you what I opened up for my family on Christmas day to enjoy with my wife, my parents, and my in-laws.
We started out with the 2008 Antigal UNO Malbec (second bottle from the left), a great malbec full of bright fruit flavors and that I look forward to reviewing later by itself (I have another bottle for that). Next up was the Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc. I had visited Paradise Springs Winery here in Virginia some months back and really enjoyed this light, peppery wine.
The third wine opened up was the 2009 Chamine, a Portugese wine I had picked up at the recommendation of my local wine shop. Being of Portugese heritage, I’m always game to try out a wine from there, and this wine was bright and tart.
Finally, we opened the 2007 Azura Pinot Noir. Light and bright, with great fruit flavors and a smooth finish that complimented our dinner perfectly.
Well, now you know what I had for dinner on Christmas day. I’d love to hear what you had as I’m always looking for more recommendations on this to try. Hope everybody had a great Christmas weekend, that you didn’t get snowed in or out of where you were going, and that you have a great New Years.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Region: Oregon – USA
Cost: $16
Light color with crushed fruit flavors and a bit of pepper on the finish. Pair with turkey, ham, cheese.
Recommendations: I’ve had this bottle since Thanksgiving and it finally got opened for Christmas. The light color actually reminded me a bit of a Virginia Cabernet Franc, as did a bit of pepper on the finish.
That being said, the wine was great. Good flavors of crushed fruit on the palate were very enjoyable with a dinner of ham for Christmas dinner, and the slight pepper on the finish was almost refreshing as it didn’t let the fruit overwhelm the palate.
If you like Pinot Noir this is certainly one worth picking up, especially if you’re looking to branch out into the wines of Oregon.
