April 29th 2012
Be in Oregon and keep this date open!
What’s Old is New
The Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley vie to be the Northwest’s newest appellation.
Pacific Northwest Viognier
With its variety of microclimates, the Pacific Northwest is well suited for making different styles of wine from the Viognier grape.
Pairing Food with Viognier
Viognier balances fleshy seductiveness, an undercurrent of acidity, and complex minerality. In some styles, it is the perfect food wine; in others, it comes across so big and full-bodied that it is almost a meal in itself.
Southern Oregon Renaissance
The home of Oregon wine sees new growth and attention… Modern Oregon wine began here. In 1961, on a gently sloping plateau northwest of Roseburg,
1976 South Block Reserve – The Eyrie Vineyards
By now it is a well worn tale to Oregon wine aficionados: how in 1979 a pinot noir from The Eyrie Vineyards bested all but one red Burgundy in a GaultMillau tasting in Paris, thereby attracting the interest of Robert Drouhin to Oregon and sparking the legitimation of Willamette Valley pinot. What hasn’t been fully appreciated is that the winning wine, vintage 1975 South Block Reserve, was never sold on the open market. Indeed, The Eyrie South Block Reserve wines were made in vintages from 1970 to 2007—but only two vintages were ever released for sale. “The more Dad liked a wine,” explained son Jason Lett, “the more he wouldn’t sell it!” Winemaker, legend, and…
Getting to know Viognier
One of the most aromatically distinctive white wine grapes, Viognier’s perfumed scents range from flint and stone, to tropical fruits, honeysuckle, and other succulent floral aromas. Do you know how to say Vee-own-yay ? In our July/August issue you’ll see how with its variety of microclimates, the Pacific Northwest is well suited for making different styles of wine from the Viognier grape. By Jennifer Cossey Also food pairings and featured wine reviews of some of the Northwest’s finest Viognier producers. Now that you can say it…can you guess the Slam Dunk pairing? Legend has it Viognier derives its name from the Latin saying, “Via Gehennae,” which loosely translates to “road to Hell.” If Pinot Noir is…
Helioterra, Oregon
Helioterra 2009 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Matello, Oregon
Matello 2009 Pinot Noir, Lazarus, Willamette Valley
Casting a long shadow
There is no other winery like it in the world. Seven individual wines made by seven globally famous winemakers at one state-of-the-art winery using only fruit grown in Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA.