Ugh! Where have the last few weeks gone? I have been all too consumed in the wellness part of my life, and neglecting the wine part-a big NO NO in my book.
Not that I haven't enjoyed some fine wines as of late, I have but...let me rewind.
I realize I never recapped our OR vs CA vs Burgundy Pinot tasting. The long and short...the CA version (these were all 06's) had a very smoky nose and tastes much more like a hot grape wine than a Pinot, not bad, not great. The Burgundian wine, honestly...I don't even remember any good or bad qualities, it was drinkable for sure. The Belle Pente Oregon Pinot tasted like home to me. There is something so familiar with the smell of a nice Oregon Pinot that has had some time to sit. This was smooth, balanced and too easy to drink. Not to sound biased, but the Belle Pente was the show stopper, we all agreed. Sally, Jeff, Hervé and I-the big time wine panel.
Some other wine notes...in no particular order:
* While in Florida we tried the Ménage åT rois Rosé to much delight. This really does taste like a slice of Provence in my book. Dry, crisp and rosey in color. Definitely a good buy for summer.
* While eating at Sungari DragonWell in Portland I tried the Bethel Height Pinot Gris....PERFECT with Asian fusion!
*Irving Street Kitchen, a new spot in downtown Portland is serving wines on tap. Interesting concept indeed. I drank my fair share of Stoller's Pinot the other night and literally got all giddy when I had my first sip. If you've followed this blog, you know, I just dig the Stoller style.
* FINALLY hit Thistle in McMinnville. Cute concept, great bathroom, and decent food. I know some big food writer from the NYT would probably disagree, but I just have to say...for the price you pay, the portions are small. The steak was fabulous, but the gnocchi was not. Glad I tried, won't be running back. La Rambla down the block would be my first choice for a repeat visit.
Stay tuned, some fun wine events on the docket...including something at Wine by Joe called WineBarre, can you guess what this entails?!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Oregon wine country love, right down the street
So the Indie Wine Festival was held in a new location this year, The Bison Building, which conveniently is just a few blocks away from our house. It was the perfect spot. Lots of room to walk around and significant light and air from the outside, which helps in events like this, which can often be held in windowless convention halls (gross).
Generally in situations like this, I follow my wine radar and sample just a few wines (spitting this time, as I was taking a class that evening). I started with Angel Vine. This one man show is making wine out of Carlton and sourcing grapes from all over the state and Washington. His varietal of choice? Zinfandel. Not a common grape used in these parts, and I must say, I loved this stuff. I can ride the Pinot train with the best of them, but truth be told, more often than not, I gravitate to wine with plenty of zing, and Angel Vine did not disappoint. You will be hearing more about this winery from me and others most definitely.
Bumping into a few people I knew, I took their recommendations and sampled wine from Et Filles, where I fell in love with the 08 Kalita Vineyard Pinot Noir (3 bottles in tow). Next stop was Artisanal Wine Cellars where the 06 Pinot from the Adams Vineyard came highly endorsed by another winemaker and I am excited to crack open my bottle to share with friends.
I loved seeing all of these small production wineries in one room. Truthfully, I had only heard of a handful, and I think that is inspiring. I am motivated to explore these operations first hand this summer.
Generally in situations like this, I follow my wine radar and sample just a few wines (spitting this time, as I was taking a class that evening). I started with Angel Vine. This one man show is making wine out of Carlton and sourcing grapes from all over the state and Washington. His varietal of choice? Zinfandel. Not a common grape used in these parts, and I must say, I loved this stuff. I can ride the Pinot train with the best of them, but truth be told, more often than not, I gravitate to wine with plenty of zing, and Angel Vine did not disappoint. You will be hearing more about this winery from me and others most definitely.
Bumping into a few people I knew, I took their recommendations and sampled wine from Et Filles, where I fell in love with the 08 Kalita Vineyard Pinot Noir (3 bottles in tow). Next stop was Artisanal Wine Cellars where the 06 Pinot from the Adams Vineyard came highly endorsed by another winemaker and I am excited to crack open my bottle to share with friends.
I loved seeing all of these small production wineries in one room. Truthfully, I had only heard of a handful, and I think that is inspiring. I am motivated to explore these operations first hand this summer.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Indie Wine Festival-here I come!!!
I can't wait to report back... today is trade day, so I'll be rubbing shoulders with real wine journalists as well as wine retailers and restaurants from all over. Better be on my game!
Also, I've been meaning to recap our 2006 Pinot tasting, but my camera is not behaving, and photos make things so much better-so stay tuned!
Also, I've been meaning to recap our 2006 Pinot tasting, but my camera is not behaving, and photos make things so much better-so stay tuned!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Get em while they're cheap (ish)
The front page of the New York Times Travel section today was a massive advertising campaign for the Willamette Valley-and I mean this in the best sense. Highlighting Brick House for the organic winemaking they have been practicing for 20 years, this article endorses several Oregon wineries and even shouts out to Thistle restaurant in McMinnville. This piece only reinforces the idea that the NYT has a major crush (bad pun) on our beautiful state. I'd buy up your favorite wines now, before the thick wallets from Wall Street plan their summer vacation in our backyard.
Read this!
Read this!
Congrats Jennifer Jacobs
She's the lucky winner of the Portland Indie Wine Festival Tickets!
If you don't manage to make it to the festival next week, fear not. I'll have a full recap for you soon!
On a side note: If you live in the Portland area-check out Cafe Nell in NW. Not only is this one of the cutest restaurants in town-the amazingly curated Oregon wine offerings should be noted. Literally, looking at the bottles sitting on the bar is like taking a trip through the Willamette Valley and beyond. Lots of usual suspects and some new names too. Generally you can find a handful of these wines on any larger scale local restaurant, but definitely not this extensive. Check it!
If you don't manage to make it to the festival next week, fear not. I'll have a full recap for you soon!
On a side note: If you live in the Portland area-check out Cafe Nell in NW. Not only is this one of the cutest restaurants in town-the amazingly curated Oregon wine offerings should be noted. Literally, looking at the bottles sitting on the bar is like taking a trip through the Willamette Valley and beyond. Lots of usual suspects and some new names too. Generally you can find a handful of these wines on any larger scale local restaurant, but definitely not this extensive. Check it!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Fingers Crossed
Tomorrow we will announce the winner of the Indie Wine Festival Tickets! For those of you who have become followers of downpour, I thank you!
Stay tuned for some more yummy wine recaps. I have been enjoying some nice CA Pinots (I know, the horror), but I can't wait to share some of my thoughts!
Doing a comparison tasting on Sunday eve and will download after this.
Later!
Stay tuned for some more yummy wine recaps. I have been enjoying some nice CA Pinots (I know, the horror), but I can't wait to share some of my thoughts!
Doing a comparison tasting on Sunday eve and will download after this.
Later!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
C'est Vrai
I just stumbled upon an article I must have missed last week in FOOD DAY. I concur with the O. Stoller's JV Pinot is exceptional for the price, which is why I have several bottles sitting in my wine fridge. I'm suddenly thirsty....
WINE PICK
2007 Stoller JV Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($25): Doubters of the rainy 2007 Willamette Valley vintage will be surprised by the bright purity of fruit in this juicy, floral and flavorful pinot.
Raspberries, cherries, cranberries and red roses dominate the nose and palate; there's also a savory dried-mushroom element that makes this a worthy match for rich foods.
The endlessly spicy finish sizzles with cloves and white pepper. Named for the younger or "junior" vines on the Stoller estate, this is an affordable alternative to Stoller's higher-end pinot noir bottlings, which run from $40 to $100.
WINE PICK
2007 Stoller JV Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($25): Doubters of the rainy 2007 Willamette Valley vintage will be surprised by the bright purity of fruit in this juicy, floral and flavorful pinot.
Raspberries, cherries, cranberries and red roses dominate the nose and palate; there's also a savory dried-mushroom element that makes this a worthy match for rich foods.
The endlessly spicy finish sizzles with cloves and white pepper. Named for the younger or "junior" vines on the Stoller estate, this is an affordable alternative to Stoller's higher-end pinot noir bottlings, which run from $40 to $100.
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