An Ode to Oregon Wine (Episode Six)
Hey y’all! This week’s #ThirstyThursday category is: An Ode To Oregon. Did you know that May is Oregon Wine Month? I thought it would be cool to spotlight a few wines from the northeast.
Now, something to note about Oregon wines is that both red and white wines tend to have a cooler temperament to them, thanks to the Pacific Ocean. The two that I’ve chosen this week are both from the beloved Willamette Valley.
WINE #1 - 2017 VIN DE DAYS BLANC ($18.99)
Usually, I prefer my blends to be of the red varietal, but this white wine is a delicious blend that’s fun, fruity and full of flavor. There are FIVE grape varietals - Pinot Blanc, Muller Thurgau (MUE-LER TERGAOW), Riesling, Pinot Gris and Muscat, and boy, they are working in perfect harmony.
NOTES: Pale lemon in color and medium body, this wine aromatic - which means its smells are quite refreshing. On the nose you get notes of lemon, melon, grass, and vanilla. And on the palate it's a beautiful round mouth melody of honeysuckle, melon, lemon zest and vanilla At $19, this is a white wine that you definitely sip and savor.
PAIRS WELL WITH: Something like a caesar salad or a flaky fish like halibut or tilapia.
WINE #2 - 2018 Brooks Winery Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($23.99)
Next up, a beautiful 2018 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Brooks Winery. Medium purple in color, this wine smells delicious with notes of red cherry, pepper, cedar, and leather. There’s also a herbaceous undertone (perhaps bell pepper or tomato leaf?), with floral notes of violet and rose and a hint of spice.
NOTES: On the palate, it has a smoky dustiness to it, which means tannins are present. Juicy red fruit like red cherry and pomegranate which give it a cute burst of acidity. At $24, this is definitely a wine that I’d be stingy with. Okay...maybe I’d share it with one or two of my favorite people, but it’s one that I would highly suggest keeping in heavy rotation.
What makes Oregon Pinot Noir so loveable is that it is easy drinking and pairs with anything.
PAIRS WELL WITH: Grilled lamb, grilled skirt steak, grilled vegetables
