Category: Oregon
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Willamette Valley Makes Wine Family Style
Family wineries are the soul of Willamette Valley. Life there is community minded, a place where farmers raise families as well as vines. As international praise continues for the wines of Willamette Valley, the valley stays true to its farming roots.
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Domaine Drouhin: Where Burgundy and Willamette Valley Meet
Burgundy represents the gold standard of Pinot Noir. Some argue this point, but ultimately the wine world accepts the bar for Pinot Noir is set in Burgundy. Outside of Burgundy, high quality Pinot Noirs are produced in New Zealand, Chile, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and other small areas along California’s central coast. However, next to Burgundy,…
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#Food & #Wine Pairing: Going Hardcore Carnivore with Troon Wines
This is a particularly fun food and wine pairing article for me to share with you. Fun because it features three wines instead of one. Fun because these wines are new releases from Troon Vineyards that were shared with me from a legend in the wine world, Craig Camp. Fun because I am trying out…
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Pike Road Wines: Celebrating Oregon’s Bounty
Willamette Valley is a beautiful place to grow grapes. Image vineyards overlooking hazelnut orchards, dairy farms, and wheat fields surrounded by trees. Here the spring is cool, seeing a slow unfurling of buds that leisurely blossom into grapes. This leisurely pace quickens as the seasons unfold and soon the vines vigorously expand through the trellis…
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Is Pinot Noir the Princess Grape?
Are you familiar with the Hans Christen Andersen short story “The Princess and the Pea?” In an effort to paraphrase and not violate copy-right rules here is how it goes: A prince wanted to marry a princess. He traveled the world but could not be sure the princesses he met were authentic so he returned…
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Feeling Alright Now with Cornerstone Cellars Chardonnay
I am the first to admit I am not a huge fan of Chardonnay. I enjoy many white wines but Chardonnay tends to fall to the bottom of the list. I think this is mostly a result of the many poorly crafted California Chardonnays I have had over the past several decades. Last November I…
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Perseverance Results in Outstanding Chardonnay
As November came to a close we had one more Willamette Valley, Oregon Chardonnay to explore on #Winestudio. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the live chat due to the unexpected death of a beloved family member; however, I was still fortunate enough to receive the wine. I have reviewed the #Winestudio Twitter conversation from…
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Serendipitous Dinner in Dallas
December’s Monthly Wine Writing Challenge theme is Serendipity. The theme was chosen by Anatoli of Talk-A-Vino, who won #MWWC12. Big congrats to Anatoli! As you know #MWWC is organized by none other than the Drunken Cyclist; all wine writers are encouraged to participate. If you have a blog and have yet to join the fun…
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I’m In the Mood for a Chardonnay
As November continues week two of #Winestudio’s “The Importance of Being a Willamette Chardonnay” featured two more truly outstanding wines. As the lively discussions continue with the winemakers of the featured wines on thing is becoming apparent to me: Willamette Valley wine makers are an eclectic bunch. If you are somehow behind on this educational…
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Fall Fruit and Wine Pairing for #WinePW
Last month was the first time I participated in #WinePW. I had so much fun I decided to participate in October. This month’s theme is “Fall Fruits and Wine Pairing.” As the weather starts to cool down (okay I live in Dallas so I am still waiting for this blessed event) I begin to turn…