Biodynamic wines can be a confusing term.  For some clarification and hints for how to know if a wine is Biodynamic please see Biodynamic Wines for Earth Day.  If you’d rather get right into the food and wine pairings then let’s go.

We’ve all been cooking and sipping and recipe testing to bring you carefully created pairing suggestions for these handcrafted wines.  Please check out these posts and join us on Twitter from 8am -9am PT Saturday May 11 to discuss.  Just follow #winepw.

• David of Cooking Chat has prepared “Salmon, Farro and Mushrooms with Winderlea Pinot Noir”
• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camila is celebrating with “Simple Pleasures, A Birthday Cheeseboard, & Keeler Estate Vineyards’ 2017 Terracotta Amphorae Riesling“
• Jill of L’Occasion writes about “Peace, Bread, Land and Wine’: A Meal With Brooks Winery“
• Jennifer of Vino Travels will share “Biodynamic Wines of the Willamette Valley with King Estate“
• Lori of Dracaena Wines will present “Continuing the Biodynamic Legacy #WinePW“
• Jane from Always Ravenous pairs “Wild Alaskan Salmon with Herbed Ricotta and Oregon Pinot Noir”
• Pinny of Chinese Food and Wine Pairings combines “Biodynamic Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Noir from Johan Vineyards Plus Surf ‘n’ Turf Dinner”
• Linda of My Full Wine Glass shares “Ode to Oregon: Johan’s Biodynamic Expression of Place (#WinePW)”
• Gwendolyn Alley from Wine Predator will present “Our land is our life and our life is our wine” — Cooper Mountain Pinot Paired with Duck #WinePW
• Deana from Asian Test Kitchen has whipped up “Oregon Orange Wine Sparkles with Indian Curry”
• Wendy Klik A Day in the Life on the Farm discovers “Dammit!! These are some great wines from Willamette.
• Lauren Walsh of The Swirling Dervish will tempt us with “Pork Loin, Mushrooms, and Fiddlehead Ferns Meet Biodynamic Pinot Noir from Bergström Wines (#WinePW)”
• Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog brings us “A Taste of Cooper Mountain Vineyards at the Table #WinePW“
• Jeff of Food Wine Click is pairing “Biodynamic Willamette Valley with Brick House and Harissa Chicken”
• Payal of Keep the Peas is presenting “Living off the Land: King Estate Pinot Noir + Mushroom Pâté”
• Rupal of Syrah Queen is sharing “Maysara Winery – Iranian Immigrants Achieving The American Dream”
• Jade of Tasting Pour will share “Thai Green Curry Rockfish and Montinore Estate Gewurztraminer #WinePW”
• Nicole of Somm’s Table shares “A Hunt for a Biodynamic Williamette Valley Wine: Johan Vineyards Farmland Pinot Noir and Salmon“

For my pairing I made Thai Curry Rockfish with Montinore Estate 2016 Gewurztraminer Reserve from Willamette Valley.  This was a triple threat of a special treat.

The Winery: Montinore Estate

Montinore Estate has effected the world of Biodynamic wines in a big way – literally. In fact, Demeter USA, the certifying agency for Biodynamic farming, recently reported that Montinore Estate is the country’s largest producer of certified estate wines made from Biodynamic grapes. This is because of the leadership of Rudy Marchesi, president and chief viticulturist at Montinore Estate. Many people think Biodynamic farming methods are only feasible on small farms.  Marchesi turned that theory on its ear when he successfully converted the 240 estate at Montinore to Biodynamic.

Montinore Estate
photo Andrea Johnson

Marchesi does not just serve as an example of what can be accomplished, he creates opportunities to share knowledge and provide education.  Marchesi has hosted many Biodynamic educational events over the years including a pre-conference workshop at last year’s Biodynamic Association conference. Most recently, Rudy was one of nine growers- and the only American- asked to join the International Biodynamic Viticulture Group, that will be promoting Biodynamic viticulture and winemaking education around the globe, including creating an international web-based forum for Biodynamic winegrowers.  Marchesi is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Demeter USA.

I had the privilege of interviewing Marchesi last year when he was named Oregon Wine Press Person of the Year.  For more details about his contributions please see my interview with Rudy Marchesi here.

Rudy Marchesi
photo Andrea Johnson

The Wine: Montinore Estate 2016 Gewurtzraminer Reserve, Willamette Valley

We kind of loved this Gewurztraminer (sponsored sample).  To me this grape can be hard to get right.  They are usually way fun to smell but sometimes the flavors can be overwhelming and they can feel heavy on the palate.  But this one was FABULOUS!  Lots of spice – white pepper, coriander, fresh ginger – with the fresh aromas of wildflowers and roses, sweet peach and nectarine, and finally blood orange oil.  It screamed for Thai food and then it screamed to accompany our neighborhood walk to see the spring flowers.

The Dish: Thai Curry Rockfish

There aren’t very many food products I use from a jar.  But I make a few exceptions and these can really save me on a busy weeknight.  Here is one of my favorite timesavers: Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce from Trader Joe’s.  I understand all of the words in the ingredients label. Actual edible ingredients like coconut milk, lemon grass, Kaffir lime peel, coriander etc.

All you need for a quick meal that won’t heat up the kitchen is some fresh veg, local fish, and rice or zoodles.

I would like to extend a special thank you to the writers, Willamette Valley Wine Association,  Emily Kaplan Petterson of EKP Media, and the following sponsoring wineries:

Cooper Mountain. Keeler Estate, Brooks Winery, Brick House, King Estate, Johan Vineyards, Maysara Winery, Montinore Estate, Winderlea Vineyard and Winery

The post Thai Green Curry Rockfish and Montinore Estate Gewurztraminer #winepw appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

BTW did you know Oregon is just about as “green” as you think it is?  We don’t get our reputation for organic kale eating and chicken dossiers  for nothin’. The stat below isn’t JUST about Biodynamic winemaking but we are proud of the many ways our farmers are good stewards of the land.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Send your post title to tastingpour@gmail.com by Tuesday, May 7 to be included in the preview post. We will do a preview post shortly after getting the titles, linking to your blogs. Your title should include “#winePW.”

Publish your post between 12:01 a.m-8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday, May 11. You can always schedule your post in advance if you will be tied up that morning. Include links to the other #winePW participants in your post, and a description of what the event is about. We’ll provide the HTML code that you can easily put in your initial post — which will link to people’s general blog url — then the updated code for the permanent links to everyone’s #winePW posts. Get social! After the posts go live, please visit your fellow bloggers posts’ to comment and share. We have a Facebook group for participating bloggers to connect and share, too.

Please be sure to disclose if your post is sponsored or if you are describing wine or other products for which you have received a free sample.  Please tag the winery that provided samples and the event partners @wvwine

For more of the back-story on Wine Pairing Weekend, check out David’s original post introducing the idea.

The post Biodynamic Wines of Willamette Valley #winepw appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Oregon is big on sustainable farming and winemaking.  There are a number of certifications that indicate a commitment to the earth.  For this Earth Day (April 22, 2018) we are highlighting one of the more ummmm interesting practices – Biodynamic Farming.

Jade was on KGW Portland Today on April 13th giving a brief overview, playing with cowhorns, and tasting some Oregon wines made with Biodynamic grapes.  Check out the link and  keep reading for more detailed info.

What is Biodynamic Farming?

First, Biodynamic farming is not exclusive to wine.  It can apply to all kinds of farming but we are going to focus on wine. The Biodynamic practice began with Austrian philosopher  Rudolf Steiner’s work Agriculture Lectures of 1924.  Steiner wrote this in response to farmers who following the Age of Industrialism, were concerned about the declining health and vitality of their crops, plants and animals.

Biodynamic philosophy is a holistic approach that  focuses on building healthy soil, treating the farm as a living organism, and the interaction of the soil, plants, animals, humans, and the cosmos.  

How is Biodynamic Different from Organic?

Farms/vineyards certified Biodynamic must meet all of the requirements for Organic certification. Biodynamic is both more restrictive and prescriptive. In other words, there are products and practices allowed on Organic farms that are prohibited on Biodynamic farms.  AND there are things Biodynamic farmers are required to do (certain natural preparations for the soil and plants).  Keep reading for an example.

photo courtesy of Demeter

Cows, Compost, Calendars – Tools of the Biodynamic Trade

The most iconic animal of Biodynamic farming is the cow.  In Biodynamic farming  cow horns (from lactating cows) are filled with cow manure and buried for 4-6 months. The manure interacts with the microbes and natural elements in the horn and creates a very specific concentrated fertilizer that is diluted into a spray to improve the health of the soil and plants.  Cow manure is also used in composting – which any gardener knows is good for the soil.

Biodynamic winegrowing also taps into astronomy and follows lunar and celestial phases to create a calendar that guides vineyard and winemaking tasks.  There are: Fruit Days, Root Days, Flower Days, Leaf Days, and Rest Days and each have corresponding vineyard and cellar tasks. Think of it kind of like the Farmer’s Almanac.

Some even say the taste of the wine is affected and will be better on fruit or flower days.  Does that mean a Rest Day is when you drank too much the night before? Ha!  I have been informed, no, it does not mean that.

If you want to taste wine by the Biodynamic calendar, …let us know what you think.

Mo Momtazi shows of cowhorn at Maysara

How to Know if a Wine is Biodynamic?

Biodynamic is a certification like organic so there will be special logos and language on the label. Demeter certifies Biodynamic Internationally and in the US.

The bottle usually also says “Biodynamic Wines” or “Made with Biodynamic Grapes”

Made with Biodynamic Grapes – the grapes were farmed using certified Biodynamic practices

Biodynamic Wine – certified Biodynamic grapes were used (as above) AND very strict Biodynamic winemaking practices were used.

  Are Biodynamic Wines Better?

That is in the eye (or mouth) of the beholder.  For those who seek to taste the place (terroir) then a Biodynamic Wine is the vintage and place laid bare.  Commercial yeast and other common winemaking interventions are not allowed. Wines “Made with Biodynamic Grapes” still support holistic farming but have a few more tools for winemaking – similar to organic restrictions.  And certainly there are many winegrowers who do not seek certification but combine different sustainable practices to honor the earth and reflect a sense of place in their wines.

Here is a link to the most updated list of Demeter certified Biodynamic wineries  worldwide as of April 2018 and we’ve pulled out the Oregon and Washington ones below:

OREGON

• Analemma Wines

• Winderlea

• Brooks

• Keeler Estate Vineyard

• Brick House Vineyards

• Cooper Mountain Vineyards

• Johan Vineyards

• King Estate

• Montinore Estate

• Cowhorn

• Upper Five Vineyard

WASHINGTON

• Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery

• Hedges Family Estate

Wines Highlighted on KGW Portland Today:

Cowhorn Vineyard and Garden 2016 Spiral 36 Applegate Valley Blend of Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne

Spicy, fruity, floral with notes of jasmine, orange blossom, tropical fruit, and spiced baked apples. Try their lovely line up of Southern Rhone style wines.

Keeler Estate Vineyard 2016 Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Gris

The warm sunny floral and light fruit notes of summer. This wine tastes like a visit to Keeler’s beautiful vineyard feels.

Brooks 2015 Rastaban Eola-Amity Hills Brooks Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

The bright fresh red cherry fruit flavors this AVA is known for.  Brooks’ Chef Abby says to pair with  asiago cheese for maximum enjoyment.

The post Biodynamic Wines for Earth Day appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

YES WE ARE GIVING AWAY 2 FREE TICKETS!

Yamhill-Carlton Spring Tasting

Saturday, April 14th  11:00 – 3:30, Anne Amie Vineyards

An $80 VALUE

HOW TO ENTER OUR DRAWING:

1. SUBSCRIBE TO TASTING POUR’S EMAIL LIST AND COMMENT ON THIS POST “I JUST SUBSCRIBED, I WANNA WIN.”

2. ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? COMMENT “I ALREADY SUBSCRIBE, BUT I STILL WANNA WIN.”

Contest ends midnight Pacific Time. Wednesday, April 11th.  One winner, chosen at random, will receive an email from Tasting Pour by noon Thursday April 12th and will be added to the guest list! If you are not the lucky winner tickets can be purchased while supplies last.

Jade went on KGW Portland Today to talk about what an AVA is, tell folks about the free tickets, and to taste some Yamhill-Carlton wines.

Keep reading for information about this tasting event and the Yamhill-Carlton AVA.

What Yamhill-Carlton Wines Can I Taste?

There will be a bunch of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris which covers a wide palate range.  But some Yamhill-Carlton wineries grow other cool grapes or diversify by buying fruit from other Oregon vineyards.  I’ve listed a few specific wines in the wineries highlighted for KGW Portland Today so keep reading.  Forty wineries are pouring.  Here’s a list:

Highlighted Wineries

Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Penner-Ash has a long history in Yamhill-Carlton.  In fact it was founded by Lynn and husband Ron in 1998 before Yamhill-Carlton was recognized as a separate AVA.  Lynn was the first professional female winemaker hired in Oregon and she is still the winemaker today.  Known for their Pinot Noir, Penner-Ash also makes Syrah and Riesling.

Penner- Ash Estate Vineyard 2015 Yamhill Carlton Pinot Noir (92 Points Wine Spectator) $65 Plum, black cherry, and spice.  It represents the Yamhill-Carlton style of Pinot Noir – voluptuous and dark fruited.

Roots Wine Company

Chris Berg owner/winemaker has a dry sense of humor and marches to his own beat.  We believe it shows in his wines.  For the Portland Today tasting we brought Roots’ Estate Pinot Gris to highlight another popular grape in Yamhill-Carlton.

Roots Estate Vineyard 2016 Pinot Gris Yamhill Carlton $22 –

Friendly and full bodied, floral and fruity with peachy stone fruit.

Other Roots Wines we love: Sparkling Art Brut; the stupendous Grenache from The Barrel Project (an exercise in aging that includes wines – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Tempranillo – in barrel from 30 to 67 months.)  Their Pinot Noir are spot on too.

Anne Amie Vineyards

Anne Amie is the host for the Yamhill-Carlton Spring Tasting and if you have visited their tasting room it is clear to see why – the patio offers a sweeping view of the Pacific Coast Range. We highlighted a unique wine for Yamhill-Carlton…

Anne Amie Vineyards 2015 Cuvee A Estate Muller-Thurgau  Yamhill-Carlton $15

Dry but fruity floral with  key lime, granny smith apple, honeysuckle, melon and minerality.  This grape is more often seen in Germany. These vines at Anne Amie were planted in 1979.

Other Anne Amie Wines we love: Everyday wines, special evening wines, opening this bottle IS the occasion wines – they hit all of the marks. 2011 Marilyn Reserve Brut Cuvee and the 2014 version in pink – sparklers to die for;    Late Harvest Muller – Thurgau Vin Doux Naturel – yum!

What Makes Yamhill-Carlton Special?

Yamhill-Carlton is an AVA (American Viticultural Area).  An AVA can be thought of as a wine growing region that is different from the wine growing regions around it.  Yamhill-Carlton is around the towns of Yamhill and Carlton and is one 6 Sub-AVAs within the larger Willamette Valley AVA. It is different because it has really old soils called Marine Sedimentary soils and there are mountains (Coast Range, Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountain) around it that block a lot of the rain and wind from the coast.  So what?  So this combination of soil and climate result in voluptuous, supple Pinot Noir with flavors of dark fruit (plum, blackberry, blueberry), spice (clove and pipe tobacco), and flowers (violets and lavender).

We will be highlighting Yamhill-Carlton wineries leading up to the April 14th tasting. Don’t forget to subscribe to our email list and comment on this post to enter to win 2 free tickets.

The post Giveaway: 2 Tickets Yamhill-Carlton Spring Tasting appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

The contest runs through noon on Jan 20th. If you don’t win the free tickets, we have a coupon code for a $15 discount “TastingPour15.” If you missed me talking about Tempranillo in Oregon on KGW Portland Today, check out the video below.

Read on for more about the Tempranillo grape, Tempranillo in Oregon, and some tips for buying and pairing.

Tempranillo – Taste and Pairing

Maybe you are already a fan of Tempranillo.  I find that a lot of American wine drinkers really like this classic grape from Spain.  It’s combination of red fruit – like strawberry and red plum and savory notes -like red tea leaves earthy notes – make it really interesting. Tempranillo spends time in oak, traditionally American oak, so we also get toasty notes, spice, and lots of vanilla.  And it is big but not too big, making it a versatile food pairing.  It can be hard to find a wine that goes with a burger or pizza AND is nuanced and complex.  Tempranillo is great with grilled meats and with heavier fish.  Food that is flavorfully, not hot, spiced. My favorite is Spanish food – tapas or paella.  Here is a recipe for paella.

Tempranillo in Oregon

Tempranillo got it start in Oregon with Earl and Hilda Jones and their Umpqua Valley winery Abacela.  They were looking for a place to grow Tempranillo and in 1995 planted the first Tempranillo in Oregon.  Leaders not just in the state, but the country, in 1997 Abacela bottled the first 100% Tempranillo varietal wine made in modern US history.  They have gone on to critical acclaim:

1998 Abacela Tempranillo – Double Gold and Best in (Tempranillo) Class – San Francisco International Wine Competition – Abacela was the only American wine up against Spanish producers.

2005 Abacela Reserve Tempranillo – Gold Medal – Tempranillo  al Mundo Competition – 1st American varietal Tempranillo to win gold in a European/Spanish owned and operated competition.

Other wineries followed suit and now approximately 70 Oregon wineries make Tempranillo. Most Tempranillo grows in Southern Oregon – Umpqua and Rogue Valleys – where it is warm and dry but with cool nights. But Tempranillo grows everywhere Oregon grows wine grapes – Willamette Valley, Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla.

Buying Oregon Tempranillo

First, you really should take the opportunity to taste at the Oregon Tempranillo Grand Tasting this Sunday Jan 21st.  I hope you win the free tickets or use the coupon code for a $15 discount.  You can taste Tempranillo from 30+ Oregon wineries and see what you like.  Here is a list of some of our favorite producers.  I am sure we will add some names at the Grand Tasting.

Abacela, Kriselle Cellars, Dominio IV, Raptor Ridge, Oak Knoll, Domaine Trouvere, Eola Hills Wine Cellars, Spangler Vineyards, Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyard, Holloran Vineyard, and Ledger David Cellars. (Look for tasting notes to come.)

Buying Spanish Tempranillo

Because European wineries have different rules there are some label clues that are really useful if you know how to read them.

• Your bottle of Spanish Tempranillo may not say “Tempranillo.” Instead look for these place names. Rioja, Ribera Del Duero, Toro
• Spanish Tempranillo have minimum time they spend in barrel and bottle before release. The younger wines will have more fresh fruit flavors. The older wines will have more dried fruit and savory flavors. They will have picked up more spice from the oak, and their tannin will be softer.  Look for these terms: (Aging time varies by region. These are for red Rioja wines.)
• Crianza -one year bottle, one year barrelReserva- aged 3 years with 1yr min in barrelGran Reserva – 2 years wood, 3 years bottle

The post Tempranillo: A Spanish and Oregon Primer appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

And you are invited to come taste with us at the:

Oregon Tempranillo Grand Tasting

Doubletree in Portland

Sunday January 21st  1:00 – 4:00pm

There will be 30+ Oregon producers and lot of tapas.  Mark and I will be there – please say “hi.”  You can geek out and ask the winemakers questions or you can just hang out and enjoy the fun.

photo credit: Steven Addington Photography

PLUS 2 of you are going for FREE

That’s right 2 tickets free and clear – a $150 value

How to enter our drawing:

1. Subscribe to Tasting Pour’s email list and comment on this post “I just subscribed, I wanna win.”

2. Already a subscriber? Comment “I already subscribe, but I still wanna win.”

Contest ends Noon Pacific Time. Saturday, January 20th.  One winner, chosen at random, will receive an email from Tasting Pour by 1:00 pm Saturday, January 20th and will be added to the guest list!

But look under your seat, you are all winners…

Because we want to see as many of you as possible, we are about to make EVERYONE a winner.  Use coupon code “TastingPour15” to save $15 off our ticket. That’s right – you save $15, and you save $15…   Here’s the link to purchase. Tasting Pour receives no portion of ticket sales or any other monies for helping with this promotion.

And stay tuned…. We’ll be bringing you more news about this event plus linking a video ‘cuz Jade will be all up on KGW Portland Today Jan 18th talking about- you guessed it – Oregon Tempranillo.

The post Giveaway: 2 FREE Tickets Oregon Tempranillo Grand Tasting appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Check out my bubbly segment on KGW Portland Today and read on for more info.

Also in this article find service tips: Did you forget to chill enough wine?  Did you break a lamp last year popping a cork?  Do you have to buy a whole set of flutes for this? How do you know if it is sweet?

Pacific Northwest Sparkling Wines Under $20

I know this is not bargain basement prices, but these wines deliver above their price range.  Buy a few and let guests bring their favorite bottle or dish to help share the costs.

Silvan Ridge Semi Sparkling Early Muscat – $16

Fruity and pleasure filled and everything you want in a sophisticated take on this approachable wine style – a little bubble, a little sweet, a whole lot enjoyable.  Skip the mimosa and go for this.

Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs Brut Methode Champenoise – $15

Treveri wines have been served at the White House over the years (probably not this administration) so they are certainly good enough for my house.  You can’t beat this quality for the price.  I keep one in my fridge and open my wine tastings and most parties with a pop of this bottle.  I am told you can get even better prices at places like Trader Joe’s.

Treveri Cellars Rose Sec Methode Champenoise – $18

Another thing we love about Treveri Cellars is all the sparkling options.  Usually 8-9 different styles and grapes.  And who does not like pink bubbles?  This Syrah/Chardonnay blend delivers a lot for the price. Sweeter than the Blanc de Blancs.  Great for dinner – think something spicy or a little sweet, or have with light dessert.   Read more about our visit to Treveri Cellars

Pacific Northwest Sparkling Wines $30 (ish)

Granted, these might be pricey for a big party, but one or two bottles for a smaller gathering is sure to impress.

2015 Eola Hills Wine Cellars Methode Champenoise Sparkling Chardonnay $30

Gorgeous, elegant, lots of green notes – pear, grass, green apple, lime blossom. Wonderful for lovers of tart bubbles.  Eola has a rose too. We have not tasted, but we want too!

Mellen Meyer Willamette Valley Methode Champenoise Brut Chardonnay/Pinot Noir $33

From a small Willamette Valley producer specializing only in sparkling wine try this traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend for a dry, crisp elegant sparkling at a good price.  Smells of green apples with a salty tart palate.

2010 Roots Wine Company- Art Brut Visionary Cuvee-Methode Champenoise Chardonnay and Pinot Noir $35

We love the texture and the little bit of spice.  Tastes way more expensive than it is.

Chilling Sparking Wine FAST

Metal bucket if you have one.  Fill it about 2/3 full of ice.  Wiggle bottle into place.  Pour in salted water (1/4 cup salt to gallon of water) and fill all the way up to the neck.  Agitate bottle every few minutes. 10-15 minutes and you are good to go.  Keeps chilled during your party too.

Popping Corks -The Sound of Celebration

Believe it or not when you learn to be a sommelier you HAVE to learn to open a sparkling bottle silently.  To me this sucks all the joy.  Nothing predicts immediate fun like the sound of a cork popping.  I say make it as loud as you can, but do it safely.  Nothing is worse than the sound of screaming right after the once joyful sound of popping.  Once you loosen the cage DO NOT take your hand off the cork. Those bubbles hold as much pressure as a car tire.  Aim the business end of the bottle away from breakables and friends.  Tilt 45 degrees.  Twist the bottle not the cork.

Flutes vs Standard Wine Glasses

If you don’t have a set of flutes, no need to run to the store.  Pull out your white wine or all purpose glasses and raise a toast.  There are lots of wine folks who prefer a standard glass anyway.  In fact it is kind of a big debate.  The thinking is that flutes accentuate the bubbles, while a standard glass gives the wine more space to aerate, thus allowing the aromas to open.  This has lead to some using flutes for sparkling cocktails and for fruitier wines like Prosecco and standard glasses for complex Champagnes.

All I know for sure is you can miss out on a lot of fun bubbles and complex flavors debating more than you are drinking. Instead, I’ll just have a second glass please, regardless of the shape.

Decoding the Label – Is it Sweet or Dry?

Think of Extra Brut and Brut in the dry range – like a Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay

Think of Sec and Demi Sec in the off-dry to sweeter range – like a fruity Riesling.

Think of Doux in the dessert wine range.

The post Pacific Northwest Sparkling Wines Under $20 appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

The bright, crisp, minerality of a Champagne and the acidity, slight tropical notes, and fresh green aromas of a Sauvignon Blanc.  A nose of starfruit, lightly ripe pineapple, lime, grass, a hint of yeasty bread, and a waft of salty ocean air.  The palate is very fresh with  zippy acidity throughout, a pleasurably slick texture, more green apple, mineral notes across a long finish

We tasted this grillo from Sicily as part of an International Whites dinner party and tasting exercise.  We also reviewed it for International Wine Report and scored it 90 points. For one of our pairing recipes see Stuffed Fish: Spanikopita Filled Dover Sole.  For notes on some of the other whites we reviewed that night see and Planeta la Segreta Bianco 2016 Sicily    Vivanco 2016 White Rioja To learn more about this grape see an excerpt from Wines of Sicily below. Well after the pretty picture of our food.

GRILLO—Pronunciation: gree-lo

Description: Grillo is a traditional Sicilian grape whose modern potential has been recognized by the island’s young generation of winemakers, who are bottling it in styles ranging from bright and savory to structured and mature. Grillo is one of the best-known Sicilian grapes.

Alone or blended with Chardonnay or the local Catarratto grape, elegant, aromatic Grillo wines make lovely aperitifs and also refresh the palate with a variety of cuisines. The dishes and ingredients of the healthful and delicious Mediterranean diet—influenced by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Spanish and French—are especially suited for the lighter meals of the summer season, and Grillo is specially suited to grilled foods, enjoyed al fresco.

When Grillo grapes are gently pressed and the juice is fermented at cold temperatures, the finished wines smell like fresh-cut grass and grapefruit, and they have a streak of acidity that makes them the perfect aperitivo. When served well-chilled on a warm summer day, alone or with grilled shrimp, salmon sashimi or a fresh cucumber-fennel salad, Grillo is the ideal starter.

Winemakers who vinify Grillo using lees contact create deeper, fuller-bodied expressions of the grape, with aromas and flavors that resemble ripe citrus and spice. This style of Grillo holds up to seafood pastas, roasted fowl and even baked casseroles.

The hallmark dish most often paired with Grillo is grilled swordfish. When complemented with a glass of Grillo, swordfish—grilled to medium and served with a simple, briny, herbal relish of capers, olives, almonds, herbs, peppers and olive oil—effortlessly transports your dining experience to the island of Sicily.

You’ll see Grillo popping up on wine lists, retail shelves and picnic tables everywhere this summer as Americans discover this versatile white. Chill a bottle or two and pair with this easy-to-prepare recipe to catch the Grillo wave.

The post Cusumano Shamaris Grillo 2015 Sicily appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

The Vivanco Grapes of Obscurity

50% Viura – We know this one.  The main white grape of red Tempranillo soaked Rioja.  We were expecting fruit, flowers, and acidity.

35% Tempranillo Blanco – For a second I thought this was red Tempranillo separated from the skins (as in Pinot Noir for Champagne). Here is what Vivanco taught me, “This grape variety comes from a natural genetic mutation found in a single cane of a red Tempranillo vine, discovered in an old vineyard in Murillo de Río Leza (La Rioja) in 1988. It has a fruity, intense aroma of bananas, citrus fruit and tropical fruit with floral notes. It does not exist anywhere else in the world.”  Wine Geek Out.

15% Maturana Blanca – I did not even have a starting point.  Again Vivanco to the rescue. “It is the oldest grape variety to have a written record in Rioja, being mentioned in a text dating to 1622. Maturana Blanca wines are a greenish yellow, with fruity aromas of apples, bananas and citrus fruit underscored by grassy notes. It does not exist anywhere else in the world.” I might have just wine fan girl squealed a bit.

Our Vivanco Viura, Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca Tasting Note

Vivanco 2016 Blend of Viura, Tempranillo Blanco and Maturana Blanca Rioja 92 points Drink or hold 2022

This is a very unique blend including two rarely seen seen white grapes from Rioja DOCa. An expressive yet elegantly delicate nose of lime, pineapple, white roses, orange, yellow apple, fresh grass, and lots of minerality.  Bone dry and beautiful with orange citrus, wet stone, salty green apple acidity and a long, crisp, clean finish that deserves contemplation. One person suggested sipping it on a west facing porch watching the sun slip beneath the horizon – oh and with a plate of cheese.

We scored this 92 points over at International Wine Report and suggest drinking it now through 2020.  It has enough acid to last a long time and who knows what flavors might develop but it is so lovely, why wait.

Vivanco suggests pairing with “mild rice dishes, all types of salads, white meats, cold creams, fish and shellfish.”  We tasted this wine as part of an International Whites dinner party. Click Stuffed Fish – Spanikopita Filled Dover Sole to read about our pairings and tasting party. Click the following wines to learn what else we tasted. Planeta la Segreta Bianco 2016 Sicily   Cusumano Shamris Grillo 2015 Sicily

The post Vivanco 2016 White Rioja appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Chances are good that many people on your gift list like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.  I went on our NBC affiliate – KGW Portland- to share some examples.  Here is a picture of me with host Ashley Korslien.  She looks even better in person.

When I learned I was going on air I immediately texted my girlfriend Kristy Pruitt to ask for styling advice. She is a make up artist and owns a salon.  She said I only had to be cuter than the other person on screen.  Well that flew out the window. I think I look pretty good for getting up at 4:00 a.m. though.

Holiday Gifts for Wine Lovers  – Which Wine to Choose

Josh Cellars North Coast California Cabernet Sauvignon – It has a sweet back story.  Vintner Joseph Carr named this wine “Josh” after his dad.  Josh was bold yet approachable and that is the quality they captured in this bottle.  Dark fruit flavors, it is a mouthful, but not overbearing.  $20 and you are done with the Cab lovers on your list.  *This was Ashley’s favorite.

The Calling Chardonnay from Russian River Valley – Chardonnay is such a “go to” white wine for people. This one is smooth and dreamy with lots of personality. It reminds me of the celebrity who collaborated on this wine, Jim Nantz.  You know the sportscaster with the great voice.  At $32 it is a little more of a splurge but you are bound to impress someone with this bottle. **This was my favorite.

This was a sponsored segment so we talked about specific wines.  But you can find a Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay you like and gift that knowing most people find these grapes appealing.

Holiday Gifts for Wine Lovers  – Maybe an Accessory?

There are so many wine accessories nowadays, from fancy openers, to coasters, to decanters. My favorite from this segment was the bottle stoppers from MAKO makobarware.com.  I hear that some people have a problem with leftover wine. That doesn’t really happen at my house, but if you or someone you know has this issue, popping one of these in an open bottle will help the wine stay fresh so you can finish it the next day. They are only $4 for 2 so you can pair them with a bottle for a wine themed gift bag.

Okay, here’s the video.   Be kind!

For more tips on Holiday Gifts for the Wine Lover see Sparkling Wines for Holiday Gifts.

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