Beyond the Bottle: August 2008 Archives

« July 2008 | Main | September 2008 »

August 20, 2008

Looking for a good Oregon wine?

According to the Oregon Wine Board, there are 393 wineries and 792 vineyards in the state, most of which focus on Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. There are over 17,000 acres planted in Oregon, producing about 39,000 tons of grapes, which result in 1.7 million cases of wine. What makes Oregon unique relative to its northern and southern neighbors is the disproportionate number of smaller wineries, with most producing less than 5,000 cases of wine. The state has also distinguished itself by focusing on sustainability, with 23% of the vineyards certified sustainable, organic and...

Posted by Thad W. at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2008

Looking for a good Washington wine?

According to the Washington Wine Commission, our state is now home to over 540 wineries, producing wine from more than 20 varieties of grapes cultivated on over 31,000 acres of vineyards. This adds up to a lot of bottles, which represent an ever expanding selection of wine for the consumer. It is easy to become overwhelmed by it all, as evidenced by the confused and confounded faces I often see at the grocery or wine store. There is hope for those needing help in choosing a Washington wine that suits their personal taste, for there are several bloggers who...

Posted by Thad W. at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 12, 2008

Westrey 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With wild king salmon and fresh asparagus on the grill, I opened a bottle of Westrey 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) to see if this wine measured up to the billing it received on the back label: Westrey wines are styled to be mouth-filling and generous in a context of rich texture and balanced acidity. Winemakers Amy Wesselman and David Autrey craft distinctive wines while allowing each bottling to express its vineyards of origin. In keeping with the philosophy of minimal handling, this wine has been bottled unfiltered. For the salmon, Kari...

Posted by Thad W. at 01:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 11, 2008

Erath 2006 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The Erath 2006 Pinot Blanc ($13) offers yet another addition to my growing list of delightful, inexpensive wines to enjoy this summer. We paired this pinot blanc with a simple meal of grilled chicken thighs, broccolini, and rice pilaf, while enjoying it as an aperitif beforehand. Overall, the Erath's balanced acidity and moderate alcohol (13.8%) offered a nice complement to the Caribbean-style chicken marinade. In fact, it clearly lived up to the promise of the back label, for it is pure fruit enjoyment as a result of being steel fermented: ...a crisp, dry...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 08, 2008

Wine Recommendations

Here is an expanding list of Oregon and Washington wines we have enjoyed while dining either at home, in a restaurant, at a winery, or in a wine bar. After experiencing each of these wines paired with a meal, I would definitely buy another bottle (or two) to serve again, even it means getting a more recent vintage. I hope you are able to experience the joy we got out of each of these wines at your table sometime soon. Oregon Wine Recommendations Sparkling Argyle Brut Sparkling Wine (2002) White Adelsheim Auxerrois Willamette Valley (2005) Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay Dundee...

Posted by Thad W. at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 07, 2008

Winery Recommendations

Here is an expanding list of Pacific Northwest wineries that have gone beyond the bottle by connecting tasting room visitors to the people and places behind their wines. This alphabetized list contains the places I would recommend (3 corks), highly recommend (4 corks), or found truly exceptional (5 corks) in terms of exceeding specific criteria. Washington Winery Recommendations: Amavi Cellars Basel Cellars Brian Carter Cellars Chatter Creek Covington Cellars Dama Wines Fort Walla Walla Cellars Isenhower Cellars L'Ecole No 41 Novelty Hill-Januik Pepper Bridge Reininger Seven Hills Winery Tertulia Cellars The Tasting Room Trust Cellars Whitman Cellars Woodhouse Family Cellars...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 06, 2008

Review: Walla Walla Vintners Winery

If you visit the Walla Walla Vintners web site, you will be treated to a great story detailing how Myles Anderson and Gordon Venneri got their start in winemaking and eventually founded the 8th winery in Walla Walla. You will also read about their generous support of other winemakers, having lent space, equipment, and know how to a variety of folks who are now part of the Walla Walla Valley winemaking fold. This generosity extends to Myles and Gordon's involvement with the Institute for Enology & Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College. However, if you visit their winery, you...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

About

Wine Recos

Winery Recos

Perspectives

Categories

Washington Wine Blogs

Oregon Wine Blogs

State Organizations

Regional Associations

Other Wine Blogs

August 20, 2008

Looking for a good Oregon wine?

August 14, 2008

Looking for a good Washington wine?

August 12, 2008

Westrey 2006 Pinot Noir

August 11, 2008

Erath 2006 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley

August 08, 2008

Wine Recommendations

August 07, 2008

Winery Recommendations

August 06, 2008

Review: Walla Walla Vintners Winery

Search

Recent Posts

Archives