Stuck smack dab in the middle of the two largest wine producing states in the country, it’s sometimes easy to forget about Oregon and it’s prospering vines of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. In fact, with 16 AVAs throughout the state, Oregon ranks third for wine production in the United States (after California and Washington state).
Unlike it’s neighbor to the north, most of Oregon’s vineyards and production takes place on the western side of the state where cooler temperatures create the perfect climate for it’s signature grape, Pinot Noir. And, although Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are far and away the leaders in the state in terms of production, Oregon also produces substantial amounts of Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Want to learn more about Oregon wine? The Oregon Wine Board (the governing organization that oversees all the wineries and vineyards in the state) is launching it’s first annual all Oregon wine event for early spring 2012.
What were drinking this week:
Erath 2009 Pinot Noir
Erath 2009 Oregon Pinot Noir – $19
A ready-to-drink Pinot Noir with earth and smoke aromas mixing in the glass with raspberry and other red fruit flavors. Lighter bodied with with balanced acidity, this is a Pinot Noir for everyday consumption.
Adelsheim 2009 Chardonnay
Adelsheim 2009 Willamette Valley Chardonnay – $22
Sourced from vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley, Adelsheim’s 2009 Chardonnay brings forth fruit flavor rather than oak and butter. More than 80% of this wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fruitiness of the wine while the remained is done in nueteral barrel to add texture. This is a wine that even ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) drinkers will enjoy.
King Estates 2010 Pinot Gris
King Estates 2010 Oregon Pinot Gris – $17
From one of the state’s largest wineries, the 2010 King Estates Pinot Gris is a beautiful blend of citrus, refreshing stone fruit, melon and mineral flavors. Pair this wine with warmed scallops and wilted greens.
[...] This week we head east on our pursuit of Northwest wines, landing in the great state of Idaho (see our stop in Oregon a couple of weeks ago). Home to more than 40 wineries, Idaho’s wineries are broken into three regions, with a majority [...]