tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1 2010-03-14T05:44:45Z A consumer's perspective on Oregon and Washington wine. Movable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201 tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.490 2010-03-14T05:37:02Z 2010-03-14T05:44:45Z

Pinot gris is a hit and miss variety with me. Unfortunately, the Westrey 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (13%) was a miss, for it just wasn't my style due to it being a bit too thick and tropical for my taste. In the glass, the Westrey pinot gris was a bright, greenish gold color offering tropical notes of pineapple, papaya, and melon. It was slightly sweet on the palate at first, with nice fruit leading to bright acidity. Overall, it was too viscous and cloying. When it comes to pinot gris, I favor the crisper, mineral approach, with enough fruit...

Thad W. Pinot gris is a hit and miss variety with me. Unfortunately, the Westrey 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (13%) was a miss, for it just wasn't my style due to it being a bit too thick and tropical for my taste. In the glass, the Westrey pinot gris was a bright, greenish gold color offering tropical notes of pineapple, papaya, and melon. It was slightly sweet on the palate at first, with nice fruit leading to bright acidity. Overall, it was too viscous and cloying. When it comes to pinot gris, I favor the crisper, mineral approach, with enough fruit... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.489 2010-03-14T05:23:27Z 2010-03-14T05:35:00Z

In the glass, the Dunham Cellars 2007 Riesling Columbia Valley (13.4%) was a clear, golden yellow color providing notes of petrol, wet stone, and a hint of honeysuckle. This Washington riesling lacked enough acidity to balance the residual sugar, which generated a candied, syrupy finish. We paired the Dunham Cellars riesling with chicken cacciatore on the first night and it was consumed alone on the second. It may best to drink this wine with a more spicy dish, such as Asian fare. I purchased this bottle while visiting the Dunham Cellars tasting room last year. Related Links Dunham Cellars Tasting...

Thad W. In the glass, the Dunham Cellars 2007 Riesling Columbia Valley (13.4%) was a clear, golden yellow color providing notes of petrol, wet stone, and a hint of honeysuckle. This Washington riesling lacked enough acidity to balance the residual sugar, which generated a candied, syrupy finish. We paired the Dunham Cellars riesling with chicken cacciatore on the first night and it was consumed alone on the second. It may best to drink this wine with a more spicy dish, such as Asian fare. I purchased this bottle while visiting the Dunham Cellars tasting room last year. Related Links Dunham Cellars Tasting... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.488 2010-03-14T05:12:23Z 2010-03-14T05:22:34Z

Plowbuster is a second label from the folks at Carabella. In the glass, the 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (14.5%) was a clear, garnet red delivering pronounced cherry fruit notes along with hints of talc and toast. This Oregon pinot noir offered generous cherry fruit flavors balanced with decent acidity, although it was a bit sweet and cloying on the finish. We paired this wine with a chopped salad that included chicken and salami accompanied by a loaf of rustic bread. The candied nature of the Plowbuster pinot might appeal to some, but it's not my style. I purchased this...

Thad W. Plowbuster is a second label from the folks at Carabella. In the glass, the 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (14.5%) was a clear, garnet red delivering pronounced cherry fruit notes along with hints of talc and toast. This Oregon pinot noir offered generous cherry fruit flavors balanced with decent acidity, although it was a bit sweet and cloying on the finish. We paired this wine with a chopped salad that included chicken and salami accompanied by a loaf of rustic bread. The candied nature of the Plowbuster pinot might appeal to some, but it's not my style. I purchased this... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.487 2010-03-14T04:52:59Z 2010-03-14T05:07:05Z

I have become a big fan of Patricia Green's wines from the Four Winds Vineyard, therefore I was really excited to find her '08 chardonnay available at my local wine store. The Patricia Green 2008 Chardonnay Four Winds Vineyard (12.5%) drinks like a Chablis, which is a style I really like with this variety. In the glass, this Oregon chardonnay was a beautiful, clear golden yellow color providing notes of freshly sliced lemons, wet stone, and hints of stone fruit. This wine was a bit angular at first due to its bright acidity, but the edges were smoothed out over...

Thad W. I have become a big fan of Patricia Green's wines from the Four Winds Vineyard, therefore I was really excited to find her '08 chardonnay available at my local wine store. The Patricia Green 2008 Chardonnay Four Winds Vineyard (12.5%) drinks like a Chablis, which is a style I really like with this variety. In the glass, this Oregon chardonnay was a beautiful, clear golden yellow color providing notes of freshly sliced lemons, wet stone, and hints of stone fruit. This wine was a bit angular at first due to its bright acidity, but the edges were smoothed out over... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.486 2010-03-14T04:27:27Z 2010-03-14T04:41:18Z

This is one of half a dozen 2007 pinot noirs I purchased while visiting with Dean and Ann Fisher, owners of ADEA Wine Company, in Gaston last November. I had the pleasure of running into Dean and Ann again last week at the WVWA tasting event in Seattle. In the glass, the ADEA 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a clear garnet red offering notes of bright red cherry fruit combined with an enticing earthiness. Flavors of candied cherry were most predominant balanced by good acidity. This wine offered a full mouth feel, primarily due to a bit of...

Thad W. This is one of half a dozen 2007 pinot noirs I purchased while visiting with Dean and Ann Fisher, owners of ADEA Wine Company, in Gaston last November. I had the pleasure of running into Dean and Ann again last week at the WVWA tasting event in Seattle. In the glass, the ADEA 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a clear garnet red offering notes of bright red cherry fruit combined with an enticing earthiness. Flavors of candied cherry were most predominant balanced by good acidity. This wine offered a full mouth feel, primarily due to a bit of... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.485 2010-03-12T04:58:42Z 2010-03-13T17:43:02Z

What a terrific event the Willamette Valley Wineries Association hosted this afternoon for members of the wine media and trade. I was fortunate to be one of several hundred folks who enjoyed sampling some of Oregon's finest wines from over fifty producers. Tonight's sold out consumer tasting event is expected to draw over 450 attendees. Many wineries were represented by owners and/or winemakers themselves, which offered a great opportunity to connect with the people and learn more about how each wine was crafted. Best of all, the WVWA provided each attendee with a tasting booklet detailing who was there...

Thad W. What a terrific event the Willamette Valley Wineries Association hosted this afternoon for members of the wine media and trade. I was fortunate to be one of several hundred folks who enjoyed sampling some of Oregon's finest wines from over fifty producers. Tonight's sold out consumer tasting event is expected to draw over 450 attendees. Many wineries were represented by owners and/or winemakers themselves, which offered a great opportunity to connect with the people and learn more about how each wine was crafted. Best of all, the WVWA provided each attendee with a tasting booklet detailing who was there... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.484 2010-03-09T05:00:21Z 2010-03-09T06:36:29Z

This Thursday, March 11, the Willamette Valley is coming to Seattle for a tasting event that will showcase more than fifty different wineries from Oregon. The line up of producers attending this first-time event is strong, for there are many of my favorite wineries from the valley pouring a broad selection of their wines. While pinot noir easily comes to mind when thinking of Oregon wine, this state is becoming more and more renowned for the quality of its chardonnay, gamay noir, pinot blanc, and riesling. In fact, when looking for food friendly wines that are enjoyable now or...

Thad W. This Thursday, March 11, the Willamette Valley is coming to Seattle for a tasting event that will showcase more than fifty different wineries from Oregon. The line up of producers attending this first-time event is strong, for there are many of my favorite wineries from the valley pouring a broad selection of their wines. While pinot noir easily comes to mind when thinking of Oregon wine, this state is becoming more and more renowned for the quality of its chardonnay, gamay noir, pinot blanc, and riesling. In fact, when looking for food friendly wines that are enjoyable now or... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.483 2010-03-01T05:35:59Z 2010-03-06T15:28:28Z

While putting out the trash and recycling one morning, my neighbor approached, looked down at one of the bins overflowing with empty wine bottles and asked, "who's the boozer in your house?" I was taken aback by the question at first, but then realized the dozens of empties (recycling is collected every 2 weeks) probably looked extreme relative to the average American household. Even with the explanation that my wife and I enjoy a different wine with dinner each night, my inquisitive neighbor looked at me with puritanical suspicion. I started to wonder how he might have reacted had...

Thad W. While putting out the trash and recycling one morning, my neighbor approached, looked down at one of the bins overflowing with empty wine bottles and asked, "who's the boozer in your house?" I was taken aback by the question at first, but then realized the dozens of empties (recycling is collected every 2 weeks) probably looked extreme relative to the average American household. Even with the explanation that my wife and I enjoy a different wine with dinner each night, my inquisitive neighbor looked at me with puritanical suspicion. I started to wonder how he might have reacted had... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.482 2010-02-27T18:48:35Z 2010-02-27T19:11:38Z

After a wonderful week in Maui (not long enough) and then another week getting caught up at work (not short enough), I am back online and eager to post on topics related to Oregon and Washington wine. In the meantime, comments are back on (much to the delight of spammers) and I welcome your thoughts, experiences, and opinions on anything posted to date. Much to share in the days and weeks ahead...stay tuned....

Thad W. After a wonderful week in Maui (not long enough) and then another week getting caught up at work (not short enough), I am back online and eager to post on topics related to Oregon and Washington wine. In the meantime, comments are back on (much to the delight of spammers) and I welcome your thoughts, experiences, and opinions on anything posted to date. Much to share in the days and weeks ahead...stay tuned.... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.481 2010-02-14T03:02:26Z 2010-02-14T03:07:34Z

I am going to be stepping away over the next week or so, turning off the printing press and comments as well. You can expect me back here in the last week of February, sharing my experiences with Oregon and Washington. Thanks for your patience while I am away....

Thad W. I am going to be stepping away over the next week or so, turning off the printing press and comments as well. You can expect me back here in the last week of February, sharing my experiences with Oregon and Washington. Thanks for your patience while I am away.... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.480 2010-02-13T22:24:15Z 2010-03-06T23:32:55Z

The more Oregon Gamay noir I experience, the bigger fan I become for this wonderful variety. The Evening Land Celebration 2008 Gamay Noir Eola-Amity Hills (13.2%) has raised my level of appreciation further. In the glass, the Celebration '08 Gamay noir was a deep, purple and garnet color, offering nice floral notes of red fruit along with earth and spice, specifically hints of pepper and curry. This wine delivered terrific acidity, with a lot of tannins, which tended to dampen the fruit flavors a bit. We paired this organic/biodynamic wine (uncertified) with an Italian lasagna-like dish. It was a...

Thad W. The more Oregon Gamay noir I experience, the bigger fan I become for this wonderful variety. The Evening Land Celebration 2008 Gamay Noir Eola-Amity Hills (13.2%) has raised my level of appreciation further. In the glass, the Celebration '08 Gamay noir was a deep, purple and garnet color, offering nice floral notes of red fruit along with earth and spice, specifically hints of pepper and curry. This wine delivered terrific acidity, with a lot of tannins, which tended to dampen the fruit flavors a bit. We paired this organic/biodynamic wine (uncertified) with an Italian lasagna-like dish. It was a... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.479 2010-02-13T22:12:10Z 2010-03-06T23:28:33Z

In the glass, the Vin de Lac "Lehm" 2007 Dry Riesling Lake Chelan (13.7%) was a pale straw color offering muted scents of wet stone and minerals. This Lake Chelan riesling was incredibly dry, to the point of being sour on the finish. It had terrific acidity, but lacked enough fruit flavors to balance the minerality. We paired the Vin de Lac dry riesling with chicken yakisoba. At $20, I found this wine to be a bit pricey relative to its quality. To each his or her own, but the stone dry style of this riesling was not my...

Thad W. In the glass, the Vin de Lac "Lehm" 2007 Dry Riesling Lake Chelan (13.7%) was a pale straw color offering muted scents of wet stone and minerals. This Lake Chelan riesling was incredibly dry, to the point of being sour on the finish. It had terrific acidity, but lacked enough fruit flavors to balance the minerality. We paired the Vin de Lac dry riesling with chicken yakisoba. At $20, I found this wine to be a bit pricey relative to its quality. To each his or her own, but the stone dry style of this riesling was not my... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.478 2010-02-13T21:30:13Z 2010-03-06T23:39:12Z

Wow, this blend of 60% gamay noir and 40% pinot noir is a wonderfully intriguing wine for $26. And it is one of my favorites thus far amongst 2008 Oregon wines tasted. In the glass, the Evening Land Celebration 2008 "Les Gamines" Eola-Amity Hills (13.4%) was a clear, garnet red, delivering perfumed notes of red fruit with a dusty earthiness. There were layers of scents to this wine from the strawberry and cherry fruit to an intriguing, earthy minerality. The bright acidity and predominant tannins in the mouth suggest this uncertified organic/biodynamic wine will age well, yet it still...

Thad W. Wow, this blend of 60% gamay noir and 40% pinot noir is a wonderfully intriguing wine for $26. And it is one of my favorites thus far amongst 2008 Oregon wines tasted. In the glass, the Evening Land Celebration 2008 "Les Gamines" Eola-Amity Hills (13.4%) was a clear, garnet red, delivering perfumed notes of red fruit with a dusty earthiness. There were layers of scents to this wine from the strawberry and cherry fruit to an intriguing, earthy minerality. The bright acidity and predominant tannins in the mouth suggest this uncertified organic/biodynamic wine will age well, yet it still... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.477 2010-02-10T05:04:51Z 2010-02-10T06:17:17Z

If you are a passionate consumer with an enthusiasm for Washington or Oregon wine, then there is no better time to start blogging than right now. Why now? First, we need more consumers blogging about Pacific Northwest wine, sharing their experiences while generating needed exposure for our region's bounty. There will always be room for one more voice that can offer an additional perspective on all things associated with Oregon and Washington wine. Second, there is no better opportunity to learn more about wine blogging than at this year's Wine Bloggers Conference in Walla Walla during the weekend of June...

Thad W. If you are a passionate consumer with an enthusiasm for Washington or Oregon wine, then there is no better time to start blogging than right now. Why now? First, we need more consumers blogging about Pacific Northwest wine, sharing their experiences while generating needed exposure for our region's bounty. There will always be room for one more voice that can offer an additional perspective on all things associated with Oregon and Washington wine. Second, there is no better opportunity to learn more about wine blogging than at this year's Wine Bloggers Conference in Walla Walla during the weekend of June... tag:beyondthebottle.com,2010://1.476 2010-02-07T21:15:27Z 2010-02-07T22:11:47Z

For anyone who has been following my posts these last couple of years, it should be readily apparent that I am biased toward Oregon wine. That said, this bias may not exist for reasons solely associated with my subjective taste preferences. In the last year, I have come to realize my personal journey with wine, especially that comprised of Oregon fruit, may be just as much about my past as it is about my palate. While I am a Texan by birth and an Okie by childhood, both branches of my family tree have firm roots in the state...

Thad W. For anyone who has been following my posts these last couple of years, it should be readily apparent that I am biased toward Oregon wine. That said, this bias may not exist for reasons solely associated with my subjective taste preferences. In the last year, I have come to realize my personal journey with wine, especially that comprised of Oregon fruit, may be just as much about my past as it is about my palate. While I am a Texan by birth and an Okie by childhood, both branches of my family tree have firm roots in the state...