Wines for Spring

I believe you can drink any wine you want any time of year. But there are certain styles I tend to crave with the season.  Check out the suggestions I shared on KGW 4 o’clock news and keep reading for more detailed info.

Erath 2018 Oregon Rose of  Pinot Noir

Rose is a great way to launch into the new season.  What I love about this rose of Pinot Noir from Erath is how beautifully it goes with food. It is finally the time of year when a well made salad can be a meal.  Think fresh greens with smoked salmon, goat cheese, and citrus or  strawberries, herbed chicken, and candied walnuts.  We paired with bagel and lox – that’s right if you think wine doesn’t go with breakfast, you are doing breakfast wrong.  Elegantly scented with strawberry, melon, stone fruit and florals this rose is the perfect accompaniment to spring meals.  You can find it just about anywhere fine wines are sold ~ $14

Maryhill Winery 2018 Otis Vineyard  Proprietor’s Reserve Albarino

Fresh flowers, light melon, a little white peach and citrus, Maryhill Winery delivers the perfect wine for spring with this gorgeous Albarino.  I can’t think of a better place to sip this Albarino than at Maryhill’s newest tasting room on the Vancouver USA water front – like on the patio, right on the shores of the Columbia River. Albarino ~$22 – sold where fine wines are sold.

Expect all of the music, menus, upcoming special events, and fabulous wines Maryhill is known to deliver.

Grand Opening events are this weekend:

• Saturday, April 13, 2019: Public Grand Opening Celebration, 11 a.m.–9 p.m., music by Sundae + Mr. Goessl, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.
• Sunday, April 14, 2019: Public Grand Opening Celebration, 11 a.m.–9 p.m., music by Jessie Marquez, 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
• Regular Hours 11 a – 9 p Daily
• 

Borealis from Montinore Estate

This is pure springtime in a glass. Like a field of wildflowers and sweet grass with white peach and light pineapple – so very aromatic.  A blend of some of the prettiest scented grapes – Muller Thurgau, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris.  Borealis is named for these “Northern Whites” classic to Alsace. (Get it?  Like “Northern Lights”) Full bodied and lush, yet crisp, with a hint of sweetness. It is perfect for sipping on a springtime evening and goes great with food. We had it with spicy Indian and it was perfect.  Plus it is organic.  Available in many states where fine wines are sold ~$16

The post Wines for Spring appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

WIN

2 Free Tickets!

Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival

J Christopher Wines

Saturday, AUGUST 11

HOW TO ENTER OUR DRAWING:

1. SUBSCRIBE TO TASTING POUR’S EMAIL LIST AND COMMENT BELOW 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 August 8th.  One winner, chosen at random, will receive an email from Tasting Pour by noon Thursday, August 9th.  If you are not the lucky winner, you can purchase tickets here.

Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival at J Christopher

Who is Playing at the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival?

Here are the details for this concert.

Click here for the full Willamette Valley Chamber Music line up – 3 weekends in August.

Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival at J Christopher Barrel Room

If you missed Jade on KGW Portland Today talking about this event and sampling some great J Christopher Pinot Noir, see the clip below.

The post Win 2 Tickets to Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

1. I learned to make cauliflower rice and it was super easy, super tasty, and super delicious.
2. I then added butternut squash, fava beans, and shrimp to make a fabulous cauliflower rice risotto full of veggies and protein.
3. I get to tell you about Brandborg Gewurztraminer and a small Oregon AVA – Elkton.

Wendy Klik of A Day in the Life on the Farm is hosting this month’s #winepw and has asked us all to highlight lesser known American wine regions and make creative recipe pairings. So there are some cool links at the end of this article.

Cauliflower Rice

I may never make regular rice again.  Cauliflower rice is faster AND low carb – which means I can drink more wine!

All you have to do to make cauliflower rice is grate cauliflower with a cheese grater and cook it with a little bit of liquid in a skillet until it is tender – 5-7 minutes. You can use a special food processor blade but I don’t like to hand wash or hand dry and it took 2 minutes to hand grate.  Like think of how long it takes to grate a carrot and divide by 2. I do think using garden fresh cauliflower is tastier.

Cauliflower Rice Risotto

I wound up making my cauliflower rice into a risotto style because I also attempted to make butternut squash rice. I did not have much luck because it was soft and wet so the consistency was more like a fine mash. But it made the dish super creamy and decadent.  I topped with shrimp and fava beans making it almost like a cross between a risotto and paella.  Regardless of what you want to call it, it turned out delicious and packed with veggies and protein.

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This Cauliflower Rice Risotto is naturally gluten free.  Omit the shrimp and it is also vegetarian/vegan.

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Brandborg Vineyard and Winery Gewurztraminer

The Brandborg Vineyard and Winery Gewurztraminer was a smidge sweet with lots of tropical and spice notes.  Melon, yellow mango, white lilaces, and sweet herb.  It matched the richness and flavors of the dish perfectly.

See also our Mushroom and Goat Cheese Stuffed Pastry with Brandborg Love Puppets Pinot Noir.

How does Oregon count as a lesser known wine region? Well I bet many of you have never had a Gewurtraminer from Oregon and may have never heard of the Elkton AVA.

Elkton AVA

Elkton is a small AVA that is part of Southern Oregon, about an hour south of Eugene.  Southern Oregon is usually thought of as warmer and drier than Willamette Valley, but Elkton is an exception.

• Elkton averages 50+” rain per year (Willamette Valley averages 40-45ish”)
• Elkton is only 142 ‘ above seal level and 33 miles to the coast. Therefore it gets a lot of wet cool  foggy coastal weather.
• Elkton is know for cool climate grapes like Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.
• Some vintages Elkton’s Pinot Noir ripens 2 weeks later than Willamette Valley’s
• Elkton is tiny – population ~200

Now let’s see which wine regions our #winepw friends explored and find some great recipes and wines to try.

• Cam of Culinary Adventures with Camilla has “A Few Firsts with the Infinite Monkey Theorem: From Colorado + From a Can”.
• Lori of Dracaena Wine talks about how “Bi-coastal Life Gets Confusing.. Thank Goodness for Wine“.
• David over at Cooking Chat shares “Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs with Wine Pairings“
• Nicole at Somm’s Table is “Cooking to the Wine: Scallops and Mint Pea Risotto with Macari Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc”
• Lauren, The Swirling Dervish answers the question “What Pairs with New Jersey Wine? Everything!”
• Jill of L’Occasion is talking about “Midwestern Gardens and Missouri Wine: America’s First AVA“.
• Gwendolyn of Wine Predator invites us to “Under the Radar Regions: Ventura County says Ghost Wineries Be Gone!“
• Jane from Always Ravenous says “Georgia Frogtown Wines with Pimiento Cheese Peach Toast“
• Cindy of Grape Experiences suggests we “Go Greek! Cinnamon Lamb Stew and Limniona/Xinomavro from Karditsa“.

The post Cauliflower Rice Risotto and Brandborg Gewurztraminer #winepw appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Because we live in Oregon we stuck with cool wines that are abundantly available here.  You can find these specific wines and these general grapes and styles anywhere.

We think a hallmark of a good summer wine is it can be enjoyed with or without food.  A porch swing, outdoor concert, or picnic summer wine should be as good paired with just a glass and friends as with a meal.

Check out our segment on KGW’s Portland Today and then keep reading for more details on these perfect for summer wines.  Y’all will have to forgive the fact that I am feverish in this video and have lost my voice – darn awful summer cold.

Summer Wines – Rose

While we think rose can be a year round wine, it comes into its own as a summer wine.  Just the array of colors reminds of summer gardens in full bloom.  We selected:

2017 Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $20

Ballerina pink with light floral and and strawberry notes. Crisp, refreshing, citrusy and light.

See Rose Roundup for some other rose recommendations.

Summer Wines – Pinot Gris

We love pinot gris for summer wines because it is fruity and rich but still has refreshing acid.  While most made in Oregon fit this description, this grape can also be tart and citrusy.

Buyer’s Tip: If you want stone fruit and richness ask your wine steward for an Alsatian style Pinot Gris.  If you want tart and citrusy ask for an Italian style Pinot Gris aka Pinot Grigio. 

We selected:

2017 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Gris Willamette Valley $19

Rich with stone fruit and melon.

Summer Wines – Pinot Noir

Red wine lovers, don’t despair!  You can have your summer wine and your red wine too!  Pinot Noir typically has less drying tannin than bigger reds like Cabernet Sauvignon.  This makes it much more sippable for summer.  If you find one that says “Whole Cluster” this will be lighter with fresher fruits and less tannin. It can even be served slightly chilled!

Buyer’s Tip: Pinot Noir is a good choice for a red summer wine. Even better, look for one that says “Whole Cluster” on the label.

We selected:

2017 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $24

Raspberry, cherry, vanilla, and juiciness.

What are some of your favorite summer wines?

The post Summer Wines appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

I am becoming increasingly appreciative of Duck Pond Cellars.  You will see me talk about their rose later this week on KGW.  And we visited the tasting room in Dundee last weekend to discover they are masters at Pinot Gris.  Seriously.  I don’t get super excited about Pinot Gris.  Most around Oregon are pretty good.  Few blow my socks off.

They had a couple of extra bottles open the day we went so granted we tasted 4 Pinot Gris while the norm is 2 on the tasting flight.  But they were all sensory delights.  Complex, layered, textured, and hovering at the $20 price range.

These 2 were on the flight…

2016 Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars Pinot Gris St. Jory Vineyard

A sweet tart combination of lemon curd and lemon poundcake on the nose with fresh floral notes, a little grassiness, and roasted nuts.  The palate is rich but crisp with an undertone of baked yellow apple and pear, and spicy fresh ginger notes.

2016 Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars Pinot Gris South Salem Hills Cuvee

Lemongrass, kaffir lime, caramelized walnuts, apricot brulée, and tangy yeasty notes carry through to the palate which is round and inviting with mineral flavors.

And don’t even get me started on the special edition 25th Anniversary Pinot Gris which you will get to enjoy if you attend this dinner.

2017 Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars Pinot Gris 25th Anniversary

Fruit forward on the nose with pear, white peach, cantaloupe, and white floral notes.  The palate is mineral driven with a slippery mouth coating texture.  It remains crisp though with zesty honeydew flavored acidity and salted melon on the finish.  I can’t tell you how much I loved this wine.

Here are the details on the dinner and you can follow this link to learn more. www.duckpondcellars.com/calendar

The post Duck Pond Cellars 25th Anniversary Dinner appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

credit Oregon Wine Press

2017 Bells Up Winery Prelude Estate Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain $22

From beginning to end this rose screams cherry – tart, fresh mouth puckering pie cherry like you just picked one off the tree.  Color, nose and palate agree – cherry is the way to be.  Perfectly refreshingly dry and balanced.  Great food rose that reminds of a Spanish style – try with paella.

2017 Wy’East Vineyards Estate Grown Rosé of Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge $24

Ballet slipper pink in the glass with aromas of sour cherry bread, light rose notes, and strawberry.  Very dry and light on the palate with tart lime and a mellow golden delicious apple peel that grows on the finish.

2017 Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars Hyde Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $20

Pale ballerina pink with aromas just as pretty.  Peach and apricot stone fruits, slightly sweet green herbal notes, and the welcoming smell of dough rising.  A citrusy palate with flavors of key lime and lemon and a salty sweet citrus ending.

2017 Sokol Blosser Estate Cuvee Rosé of Pinot Noir Dundee Hills $25

A wisp of pink with an allusive nose to match. Peach with a hint of vanilla and something that reminds of a new book. Or maybe it seems just the pairing for a summer read. Round and smooth on the palate with tart pink grapefruit, early season strawberry, hay, and almond appearing on the finish.

2017 Lumos Chiquita Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir Oregon $25

A shade of salmon with lots of orange toned aromas and flavors.  Juicy strawberry, floral notes, and orange spiced tea entice on the nose.  Dry with savory spice and a combination of fresh orange flesh and spiced orange peel on a bright, but dry, long, sophisticated finish.

2017 Mt. Hood Winery Estate Bottled Rosé of Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge $22

The elegant hue of a “pink” champagne. If you sip it quickly there is some fleeting effervescence.  Bing cherry and the light crisp green aromas of spring lettuce on the nose. A dangerous little bit of sweetness quickly balanced with fresh acidity. The finish is tangerine flavored and pleasantly textured.

2017 Torii Mor Rosé of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $18

Blush pink with definite notes of watermelon, added complexity of minerality, and a floral line  of tea rose. Bright and juicy with tart lemon, lime, ruby red grapefruit citrus, deeper flavors of orange peel and peach, and a dry crisp clean finish.

2017 Rex Hill Rosé of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley $28

Peach fuzz pink with subdued aromas of straw, mineral, yeasty dough rising, and barely ripe peach.  The shyness ends on the first sip. Bright and zingy acidity, dry with mandarin and stone fruit, and an exclamation point of a finish.

2017 Pebblestone Cellars Rosé of Grenache Rogue Valley $22

Sweet piglet pink with a nose just as fun.  Aromas of honeydew, strawberry, lilac, and apricot on the cusp of ripeness.  Fruity and juicy from start to finish with flavors of zesty mandarin adding complexity and white pepper coming through on a long finish.  Good rose for dinner pairing.

2017 Maryhill Rosé of Sangiovese Columbia Valley $16

Bright carnation pink with fruit forward aromas – cherry and strawberry – mingled with the fresh grass and wildflower smells of a sun warmed meadow.  A very cheery cherry palate with bright bing cherry throughout and a rounder marzipan finish.

2016 Whitetail Ridge Vineyard Rosé Umpqua Valley $17

Raspberry beret – the kind you find in a fine wine store.   Truly raspberry in color and aroma mixed with freshly cut hay, warm fuzzy peach, and mixed Willamette Valley berry pie.  Pie berry flavors continue on the palate and are joined with lemon sun brewed black tea, a hint of vanilla, salted caramel, and a grassy note on the finish.

2017 Viento Rosé of Tempranillo/Riesling Columbia Gorge $20

Ballet pink with a hint of effervescence and a nose of yeasty bread, cherry, almond, peach and hazelnut.  This is a wine of subtle elegance without a bit shyness. The palate is cherry marzipan, tart cranberry, and little peach flavored lift at the end.

A version of this article first appeared in Oregon Wine Press.

The post Oregon Rosé Round Up appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

WIN

2 FREE Tickets

BodyVox at Elk Cove

Saturday, JUNE 30th, 6:00 pm

A $60 VALUE

HOW TO ENTER OUR DRAWING:

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

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

Contest ends midnight Pacific Time. Wednesday June 27th.  One winner, chosen at random, will receive an email from Tasting Pour by noon Thursday, June 28th.  If you are not the lucky winner, you can purchase tickets here.

What is BodyVox?

Honestly, I don’t really know. I heard dance and vineyard and it did not take me long to decide I wanted to go. The following is an excerpt of info, pics, and a video from the BodyVox website.  I think this is going to be REALLY cool.

Led by Emmy Award-winning choreographers Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland, BodyVox is known for its visual virtuosity, distinctive wit and unique ability to combine dance, theater and film into breathtaking productions rich in imagery, athleticism and humor. Since its founding in 1997, BodyVox has toured to critical acclaim on stages around the world, developed 9 award winning films, 30 original shows and 3 operas, featuring more than 200 original dances. 

Based in Portland, Oregon, BodyVox’s movement surges from a fascination with the endless possibilities of the human body in motion, informed by years of cross training and layers of experience. Hampton and Roland are distinguished artists on the world stage, formed by their years working as creators and performers with innovative dance companies Momix, ISO Dance, and Pilobolus. BodyVox builds upon this tradition of excellence with a unique voice that is equally influenced by its Northwest roots and world view. 

Adding to its full-evening shows and repertory pieces, BodyVox’s films have won numerous awards in national and international festivals. “Modern Daydreams” – composed of “Treadmill Softly,” “Islands in the Sky,“ Unleashed” and “Deere John” – won the prestigious American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in Short film in 2002.

And here’s a video of performance clips.  I cannot wait.

The post Win 2 Tickets: BodyVox in the Vineyard appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Yes, the winner for the Eola Hills Legacy Estate Season Passes has been chosen. But with these Free for All Concerts everyone wins. And stay tuned for more ticket giveaways from Tasting Pour in the coming months.

Free Live Concerts in Oregon Wine Country

Youngberg Hill

Do not miss the summer concert series at Youngberg Hill.  Just going up the long drive to the estate lets you know you are in for something special. If you are in to views that stop you in your tracks, adorable curly haired cows, and stellar wines that show their place in every drop – this is the stop for you.

• Location: Youngberg Hill McMinnville
• Dates: Wednesdays June 20th – September 12th
• Seating: Indoor and outdoor at Event Center. Bring a blanket or chair or borrow from winery.
• Food and Drink: Bring a picnic or purchase from onsite food truck. Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. NO outside alcohol.
• Kids and Pets: Yes to both. Pets must be on a leash
• More info: https://youngberghill.com/events-calendar/

Red Lily Vineyards Beach Concert Series

Who wouldn’t want to spend the evening along the Applegate River listening to live music and sipping gorgeous Oregon wine?  Bonus – Red Lily specializes in Spanish grapes, not so common in Oregon. Go enjoy some Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Verdejo.

• Location: Red Lily Vineyards, Jacksonville
• Dates: Thursdays through Sept 6th 6-8pm
• Seating: Outdoors on the “beach” on the Applegate River. Beach tables and lawn seating
• Food and Drink: Bring a picnic or visit one of the onsite food trucks. Wine and beer available for purchase. NO outside alcohol
• Kids and Pets: Yes to both, Pets on a leash
• More information: www.redlilyvineyards.com.

Wine Country Concerts That Won’t

Break The Bank

While not free, these live music events among the vines certainly make for an affordable and memorable date or night out with friends.

Kramer Vineyards

There is a whole line up of music at Kramer this summer, from bluegrass to jazz. Plus they are celebrating new releases for their wines on tap program. Bring your growler or get a branded one on select dates. AND August 10th is a whole camping, s’mores and music event.  Special pricing and reservations are needed for that but doesn’t it sound fun?

• Location Kramer Vineyards, Gaston in Yamhill-Carlton AVA
• Dates: Various dates through September 3rd. See link for details
• Seating: Seating outdoors on the tasting room patio
• Food and Drink: Bring a picnic or food is for sale there. No outside alcohol. Tasting included in ticket.
• Cost: $15-$20 includes tasting.
• Kids and Pets: Pets on leash
• More information: www.kramervineyards.com

Kathken Vineyards Music in the Park

Image “borrowed” from website

Sadly this is the final year of Music in the Park at Kathken. Don’t miss your last chance to sit by their bonfire and support local bands.

• Location Kathken Vineyards, Salem
• Dates: Saturdays June 23rd – Sept 1st 7-10p
• Seating: Outdoors, bring blankets or camp chairs. Tables can be reserved
• Food and Drink: Food, wine and other beverages for sale. No outside food or drink.
• Cost: $10 – advanced ticket recommended
• Kids and Pets: No
• More Information: http://www.kathkenvineyards.com/events_weddings.htm

The post Free Live Concerts in Oregon Wine Country appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Enjoy evenings by the lake and among the vines.  See one concert or see them all.  Share the passes with your friends. This is truly an opportunity to #drinkinthepnw.  And yes this does mean the Chris Isaak drawing has ended, but never fear there are always good things to come on Tasting Pour.

WIN

4 SEASON PASSES!

Legacy Estate Vineyard Concert Series

Friday, June 22nd – August 31

A $600 Value

HOW TO ENTER OUR DRAWING:

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

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

Contest ends midnight Pacific Time. Wednesday June 20th.  One winner, chosen at random, will receive an email from Tasting Pour by noon Thursday, June 21st.  If you are not the lucky winner, you can purchase tickets here.

Eola Hills, Legacy Vineyard, concert, wine country, Oregon Wine, Willamette Valley, Eola-Amity Hills

What Is Included?

• Concert Season Package for 4 people  – see every concert or just the ones you love. Share with your friends.  You are going to be popular this summer.
• $20 voucher towards purchase
• Free wine tasting vouchers redeemable at Legacy Estate Vineyard or Eola Hills Wine Cellars tasting rooms
• RV/Day Camping Passes

Who Is Performing?

Britnee Kellogg, Debra Arlyn & The Goodness, Cloverdayle, Dancehall Days, Nate Botsford

Here is everything else you need to know including links to the performers.  

And if you happened to miss Jade talking about wine country concerts on KGW Portland Today – here is the clip…

The post Win 4 Season Passes to Legacy Estate Vineyard Concert Series appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.

Peruse our tasting notes to party vicariously or find some new NW Sparkling Wines faves for a party of your own.

Ready for a Sparkling Good Time

The Menu

mushroom strudels, quiche lorraine, carrot soup with buttered pecans

smoked salmon, cheese and meat charcuterie  

homemade meringues and an apple tart provided by our friend Jim Gullo

The Sparkling Wines

Click links for stories and tasting notes

Treveri Cellars Blanc De Blancs Brut Columbia Valley  “The Welcome Wine” ~ $15

14 Hands Winery Brut and 14 Hands Winery Brut Rose Columbia Valley “The Party Wines”  ~$15

Argyle Winery “The Art of Sparkling” Willamette Valley  The Party Fave” ~ 3 wine gift set $100

Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars XX Blanc de Noir Bruit 1996 Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley  “The Dark Horse” – $58 – limit of 3

Roco Winery RMS  Rollin Michael Soles 2013 Willamette Valley Brut Sparkling Wine “The Classic With Some Spice” – $65

Drinking in the NW: Sparkling!

All wines are Methode Champenoise.

Some samples were provided.  Wines were reviewed in an unbiased professional blind tasting format.

The post 6 NW Sparkling Wines For Your Holiday Wish List appeared first on Tasting Pour by Jade Helm.