Wine

From Zwiki

This page contains information about wineries/wine I like... and also those I don't like. It actually reminds of a something Marvin Zonis quoted for me recently from Amos Alonzo Stagg (famous coach) where he said he never had a player he did not love. He had many he didn't like and didn't respect, but he loved them just the same. Replace player with wine here and I think that will do.

THIS PAGE IS STILL IN DRAFT MODE (need to update more on tasting preferences below)

Let me start with my wine philosophy. A good tasting wine is similar to a great looking piece of art - both are valued in the eye, or in wine's case, the taste buds and nose, of the beholder. That is, to recommend a wine, and to take a recommendation, each person must understand the other's tastes, described with common adjectives and nouns.

I am partial to Pinot Noirs and reds in general. I also have a liking for one Chardonnay in particular - the Landmark 2001 chard. I don't like wines with a strong bouquet, and prefer ones that have a firm taste, but not overly rich. This is parallel to what I feel is a good chocolate cake - I don't want a cake that I can only savor one bite of because it is so strong, I want one that amazes me with the first bite, but still makes me want more afterwards. Some wines are so rich and heavy that I can't stand more than a couple tastes. Why tell you all this? So you can keep it in mind when you see my recommendations below (which are also biased by the overall experience I had while tasting at the particular winery).

• Portland, OR area wineries - see Willamette Valley winery online brochure for more
  • Top Tier
    • Erath, tasting fee: $5/person (or can get food here too) - my old favorite, love their Pinots; awesome setting - great place to have lunch with crackers, cheeses, salmon, and salami (they sell it all right there on site)
    • Domaine Serene, tasting $15/person - my new favorite winery, not only for their wines, but for their hosting. Speak to Devon and she'll hook you up with a good tasting. My favorite from here was their Jerusalem Pinot Noir.
  • Middle Tier
    • Rex Hill, tasting fee: $10/person - nice way to start the day, with good hospitality, and they have a good mix of grapes they use to produce their wines
    • Argyle, tasting fee: $7/person (can grab food around here) - cool bar made from old french oak barrels, and also a GREAT desert wine
    • Domaine Drouhin, tasting fee: $5/person - known for their Pinot's, if they are out, and in the summer they frequently are, they give you the option to taste some of their Chard's and/or sister French winery Bordeaux's.
  • Bottom Tier
    • Penner Ash, tasting $5/person - was hyped up by some of my CA friends, but I wasn't impressed with any of their wines; the wine hostess was kind of whiny and rude too, but the sweet view from their atrium helped make up for it.

• Napa/Sonoma, CA Media:napasonoma.pdf