Portland Oregon Wine

Newsletter picks: Not sure what a white Chateauneuf du Pape, Albarino or Rupert McFur Pants tastes like? Come on by and find out! Petit Vin d’Avril, Idilico Albarino, Anthem Malbec. FREE!

2-5 pm, free.

Lilac Wine

This weekend, Lilac is featuring something really special: a winery in Sicily that’s making truly unique and delicious wines. Three friends founded this winery in 1980, called COS, each letter the initial of their last names, and they created something wonderful. Using grapes native to Sicily alone and using vinification methods that date back to ancient times, these wines are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted, yet sure to please. Nothing says “Father’s Day” like artisinal, obscure, vibrant wines from the southeast corner of Sicily….

Now open Saturday and Sunday at noon. Tastes are free, or have a glass and stay a while….

From La Belle France: Dom. des Cassagnoles Côtes de Gascogne, Bott Frères Pinot Blanc Alsace, Oinos Les Cardères Corbières, and Dom. du Cros Marcillac Lo Sang del Païs.

noon-5, free.

free.

Storyteller Wines

Saturday Father’s Day Event

My dad has been grooving on white Burgundy lately so in his honor every French wine made with the Chardonnay grape will be 25% off its regular price. I’m guessing my dad may drop by this Saturday so I’m pretty sure we’ll have some open to taste as well!

12-5 pm, free.

E & R’s Resident Shih-Tzu Plus Wine Tastings in Portland: Friday, June 14, 2013

bernard — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 03:00:46 +0000

Rose Wines and a Shih-Tzu at E & R Wine Shop (photo from E & R Wine Shop Facebook page)

Wine Tastings in Portland: Friday, June 14, 2013

Going to Galicia

This Friday, Holly Wing of DeMaison Selections and I will tell tales of our recent trip together to the NW corner of Spain, the land known as Galicia. Famous for steepled Roman terraces of ancient vineyards, seriously rocky soils, a strong ocean influenced climate and a whole lot of octopus, come on down to taste a flight of my three favorite whites from the trip. We just might have a bonus or two as well but you’ll have to show up to find out. Tasting starts at 4pm and goes until 7pm or the bottles are empty. Drop in tasting, no reservations needed. $10 tasting fee (complimentary for cork club members – limit 2 per account).

TBD

5-7 pm, $5

Rose and a Shih-Tzu

taste 28 lovely pink wines from around the globe (including champagne) for a song. includes BIG names and cutting edge from oregon to europe to south america. $10.00 per taster please let us know you are attending @ 503 246 6101 or wine@erwineshop.com

No Tasting

Wines of Corsica

We keep getting wowed and intrigued by these captivating and mildly exotic island wines. Let’s explore further. Mostly red but one white and rosé because they’re too cool not to include. $13

This week, Robert Karmin of Alexeli Winery, located in Molalla, Oregon will be pouring

5-7 pm, $5.

No Tasting

Casa Bruno

Mt. Tabor Fine Wines

Spanish Reds

2012 Lezaun, Tempranillo “No Sulphites Added”/ Navarra $11

2011 Bodegas Sindoa, El Chaparral “Old Vine Garnacha”/ Navarra $15

2009 Palacios Remondo, La Montesa/ Rioja $17

2010 Tierras De Aponte, Tinto/ Abona-Canary Islands $19

2007 Marques De Murrieta, Reserva/ Rioja $25

Premium Pour ($3)

2005 Jané Ventura, Cabernet Sauvignon “Mas Vilella”/ Penedes $35

4-8:00 pm, $15.

Guy Charlamagne Champagne

Oregon Pinot Noirs

5-7:30, $10

TOUR OF COUNTRY FRENCH! A rare tasting of some of the greatest undiscovered wines on the planet!!

4:30-7:30, $15

Summer Sippers Part I

Omero Cellars Winemaker Event!

Omero Cellars is a fantastic winery tucked away in the hills of the Ribnon Ridge AVA. Omero’s owners are Bill and Staci Moore and when I tried these wines a few weeks ago I happily hopped aboard their bandwagon. These are superbly made wines that are also beautifully priced, a combination that should always be applauded! This Friday evening we will be joined by the winemaker at Omero Cellars, the dynamic Ms. Sarah Cabot. Many of you may know Sarah already as she has been working in the valley for several years now, starting at Belle Pente and then acting as the assistant winemaker at Willakenzie before taking on the head winemaking gig at Omero.

Sarah will be pouring Omero’s new rosé, along with two impressive Pinot Noirs and a Pinot Gris that has everybody around Portland talking. The Omero Cellars Pinot Gris is darn impressive and it has easily become one of my favorites. There will be no charge for this tasting so come on over and chat with Sarah this Friday!

6-9 pm, free.

Rhone Valley and Provence

-2011 DOMAINE L’AMEILLAUD Vin de Pays de Vaucluse $8.95
-2012 MAS DE LIBIAN “Vin de Petanque” $13.95…perhaps the ultimate picnic wine?
-2010 DOMAINE DE LA GUICHARDE “Cuvée Genest” Massif d’Chaux $14.95
-2010 DOMAINE MONPERTUIS “Cuvée Counoise” Pays du Garde $18.95
-2010 DOMAINE NOTRE DAME DS PALLIERES Gignondas $19.95
And then on to ever greater loveliness….
Bonus #1-2009 CHATEAU MARGUI Coteaux Varois en Provence $23.95…this is a personal favorite of mine, and as soon as I see adequate supply, hopefully by early July, it is destined for a VINO E-Special. I love this wine!
Bonus #2-2007 DOMAINE HAUVETTE “Cornaline” Les Beau des Provence $38.95…I was truly blown away by this wine when I first tried it a month or so ago. Astonishing richness and length!
Bonus #3-2009 DOMAINE JEAN DEYDIER “Les Clefs d’Or” Chateauneuf du Pape $39.95…a great buy in classic, beautifully made Chateauneuf. This has everything you could ask for! 91 points-Wine Spectator

4:30-8 pm, fee.

Ole’ imports is bringing some surprises from their Spanish Wines Portfolio

5-7:30, $5 (waived with purchase)

“What’s that one? The Shih-tzu, that’s a name you don’t play around with…”

Wine Tastings in Portland: Thursday, June 13, 2013

bernard — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:50:34 +0000

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Cheese Bar

Summertime Reds

This week we will be tasting through a selection of red wines that range from light and refreshing to rich and opulent. Summer, with the weather and festivities that accompany it, calls for a different cast of red wines than those we enjoy the rest of the year. Sometimes you need a red that doesn’t knock you over the head amidst the heat and sunshine. There are times you need a wine to stand up to that grilled steak or to enjoy at neighborhood barbecues. There’s also those times when you’re huddled next to a campfire on the Oregon coast that the red wine you are enjoying quickly becomes your new favorite…. Well, we will be pouring a range of domestic and international reds that we think overdeliver for their price and will fit the bill for a variety of your summertime activities. We hope you can join us tomorrow evening from 5:30 to 7:30.

Korkage Wine Shop

We can’t wait for this fun and interesting lineup of European summer steals, starting at $10 – all are under $20. Joe from Casa Bruno will be joining us to serve up these gems:
Ca de Medici Lambrusco San Giacamo Chiara Rosato
Chignardiere Rose Gamay
La Cappuccina Soave
Contini Tyrsos Vermentino di Sardegna
Fontanabianca Langhe Arneis
Ca del Baio Luna d’Agosto Chardonnay

6-9 pm, fee.

Casa Bruno Imports

Saturdays Wine Tastings in Portland

bernard — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 16:58:10 +0000

photo from: www.smittenkitchen.com, the best food blog ever

Eva’s favorite food site: smittenkitchen.com posted these delicious looking rhubarb cream cheese hand pies, so we are off for a walk to the market this morning to gather 1 pound of rhubarb. Of course, I am searching the web for the perfect wine pairing, and since it is pink season we will have to experiment with a tasty rosé, most likely purchased at Vinopolis Wine Shop since it is on the way home. Pink wines are also available today at Storyteller Wine Co. from 10-5, have a great day!

Wine Tastings in Portland, Oregon: Saturday, June 8, 2013

The wines of importer Eric Solomon with David Rounds. Some of our favorite Spanish and French wines from Priorat, Rhône Valley and more. FREE!

2-5 pm, free.

Lilac Wine

Drawing from a deep perspective of all the things we love about Spain and its wine, this Saturday’s tasting will feature three highlights: Txakoli, a crisp, delicious, slightly fizzy white from the Basque region; a rose from Rioja, ethereal, vibrant and quenching; and a 2004 Rioja Reserva (yes, 8 years old), a red so unbelievably fresh, complex and supple, it’ll make you thank the Spanish tradition of holding wine until it’s ready….

We hope that this tasting will demonstrate the broad palette of wine that Spain has to offer….and unlike Goya, Velasquez, Picasso, you don’t have to wait in line at the Prado to appreciate them….

As always, opening at noon, tastes are free, stay and have a glass for $5.

Hasta pronto!

Eric Rodez Champagne tasting with Doug Culver of C&G wines. Plus: a quartet of rosés from Espelt (Empordá, Spain), Dezat (Sancerre, Loire Valley), Berthet-Rayne (Cairanne, France), and Monchiero (Langhe, Italy).

noon-5, free.

free.

Storyteller Wines

Rosé Redux!

We have pink wines coming out of our ears around here so we will have a few more new arrivals open for you to taste this Saturday. There will be no charge for this tasting.

10-5 pm, free.

-2011 BUCKMAN WINE CO. Sauvignon Blanc “Willamette Valley” $16.95
-2010 RENWOOD WINERY “Clarion” Zinfandel-Syrah $13.95
-2009 GRANDE & GABBANA “Theor” Rosso Refosco-Cab Franc $9.95
-2012 LUCIEN LARDY Beaujolais Villages $12.95…a taste of what you may have missed at our epic Beaujolais tasting last night!

“Discover Scott Paul Wines” Tonight Plus Wine Tastings in Portland, Oregon: Friday, June 7, 2013

bernard — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:28:19 +0000

Photo taken from afportland.org

We have numerous posts extolling the virtues of famous importer Kermit Lynch’s wines, but Scott Paul Wines is certainly becoming our new (and definitely our favorite Burgundy and Champagne) importer with their tasty white and red burgundies and grower champagne. Tonight, Scott Paul Wines are having a “Discover Scott Paul Wines” night at their tasting room in NW Portland, and it is a good two for one deal. Worth it, Portland Oregon Wine.com highly recommends for the wine (and service). Plus, they allegedly even have a secret Facebook code for a free super pour, happy hunting!

Friday, June 7, 2013

TBD

TBD

5-7 pm, $5

No tasting

PINK – Round II

5-9 pm, $12.

No Tasting

This week, Margo Durdel of Oregon Brand Management will be pouring selections from Oregon, France and Spain

5-7 pm, $5.

Superb Oregon Chardonnays: Bergstrom, Cameron, Drouhin, Eyrie, Batchelder, and more.

Italian Wines

Caitlin Junkin with Mitchell Imports pouring Friday

Mt. Tabor Fine Wines

Warm Weather Wines

NV Casa Coste Piane, Prosecco/ Valdobbiadene, Italy $22

2012 Arregi, Getariako Txakolina/ Basque region, Spain $16

2011 Luneau Papin, Muscadet “Clos des Allees”/ Loire Valley, France $17

2011 Bisci, Verdicchio Di Matelica/ Marche, Italy $17

2011 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren Rosé/ Provence, France $25

Premium Pour ($3)

2012 Domaine de Marquiliani, Vin De Corse Rosé/ Corsica, France $28

4-8:00 pm, $15.

Andre Clouet Brut Vintage
2000, 2002, 2007
Clouet Brut 1911 available as an additional pour, $10/taste.

Portuguese wines with Megan Moffitt

5-7:30, $10

TBD

4:30-7:30, $15

Discover Scott Paul Wines Night

This is a GREAT night to visit for the first time, or to grab a friend that you’ve been wanting to introduce to our wines. We’re a bit “different” – that’s for sure! We are top-rated producers of Oregon Pinot Noir who just happen to also import Burgundies and grower Champagnes from small family producers in France!

Tonight’s flight is perfectly representative of Scott Paul Wines – that is, we’re going to pour for you a beautiful crisp white Burgundy and then an outstanding red Burgundy from one of our favorite producers. Then you’ll taste our own Oregon Pinot followed by a stellar grower Champagne!

Here’s the flight for Friday night: 2008 St. Véran from Domaine Thibert, 2011 Bourgogne Pinot NOir from Huber-Verdereau, 2011 The Long Run Pinot Noir from Scott Paul, and the NV Brut Tradition from Champagne Pierre Brigandat!

Bring a friend and get 2 flights for the price of 1! Tasting fee is $10, refundable with any 3-bottle purchase

And for you regulars, watch Facebook for the code word for a Super Pour that Scott will have behind the bar.

Old Friends from Around Town!

This Friday we are sticking close to home with a tasting of wines from three good friends who make their wines at the SE Wine Collective. We will be pouring Anne Hubatch’s (Helioterra Wines) Mourvèdre and Melon, Vincent Fritzsche’s eponymous Ribbon Ridge and Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noirs and the newly released Béton from Tom and Kate Monroe at Division Winemaking Company. The Béton is an exciting new wine that tips its hat to a Touraine Rouge with its blend of Cabernet Franc, Gamay Noir and Pinot Noir, the latter two going through carbonic maceration in cement tanks!

And yes, there will be rosé! Tom has graciously agreed to turn over his entire library supply (2010, 2011 and 2012) of the Division Pinot Noir Rosé. These wines received a lot of great press over the past few years and they are long sold out at the winery. But on Friday night we will be pouring samples of all three wines and they will be available for purchase at 20.00 each. Or you can put together your own mini-vertical of one bottle each for 50.00.

There will be no charge for this portion of the tasting, but a “super pour” will be available. And this week I really mean it when I say “super.” For a modest fee this Friday you will have a chance to taste the 1995 Reserve Chardonnay from The Eyrie Vineyards. This wine was the highlight of the day for me at a recent Eyrie library tasting so I held one bottle back so I could share it with folks on a Friday night. Drop on by if you would like to sip a nice little piece of Willamette Valley history.

6-9 pm, free.

VINO’s Spring Fizz Fest!! All bubbles, all night. It only happens twice a year, so don’t miss it!

4:30-8 pm, fee.

The Wine Cellar

Biodynamic releases from Johan Vineyards

TBD

5-7:30, $5 (waived with purchase)

Woodstock Wine and Deli

TBD

6:30 pm, $10.

Wine Tastings in Portland: Thursday, June 6

bernard — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:14:35 +0000

Cheese Bar

Alternative Wine Route

When forced to make a decision regarding wine, food, or beer, sometimes it’s easiest to take the safe road and stick with the tried and true favorites. But that’s a road we’ve all been down before. You know what you are going to see and you know where you’ll end up. So this week, we invite you to try a different route to finding some perfect white wines for this amazing weather we are enjoying. Next week we will be pouring a comparable version of red wines for the summer. Try some new varietals, styles, and perspectives to discover the perfect wines to sip, savor, or share over the coming months. We’ll be pouring a few phenomenal and unique wines from Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy that are most likely not going to be found in your grocery store cold case. We hope you can join us between 5:30 and 7:30 tomorrow night.

Korkage Wine Shop

We have a need to lighten things up as much as possible — what with all our construction projects across the street and moving. So it is in that spirit that we’ve got light Summer whites for you this week! Chef Earl’s picked out a delicious lineup of budget friendly, easy summer sippers. We’ll be pouring it ourselves and we look forward to seeing you!
Whoa Nelly 2011 Melon de Bourgogne
Kyra 2011 Chenin Blanc
Matzinger Davies 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
GOD KING SLAVE 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Witness Tree 2011 Chardonnay
Zerba 2011 Chardonnay

6-9 pm, fee.

Italian

Caitlin Junkin with Mitchell Imports pouring Friday

Wine Tastings in Portland: Friday, May 31, 2013

bernard — Fri, 31 May 2013 23:38:37 +0000

Friday, May 31 , 2013

VIOLA WINE CELLARS Release Weekend

Our first official new releases made by Darryl under the VIOLA and Alberta labels will hit the shelves this weekend. Both from the 2012 vintage, the VIOLA Barbera is a fresh, young, stainless steel aged Barbera made from fruit purchased at Alder Ridge Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills. The Alberta Bianco consists of Pinot Blanc grapes purchased from Yamhill Valley Vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Darryl will be pouring them for you on Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 7pm. The Friday tasting will toss in a few complimentary wines that inspired these creations, along with the usual snacks for a $10 Main Flight fee. For the Saturday tasting we’ll allow the new releases to stand on their own and share them with you anytime that day as a complimentary taste.

TBD

5-7 pm, $5

No tasting

South America

5-9 pm, $12.

Nine Year Vertical of Owen Roe Yakima Red 2002-2010, With Winemaker David O’Reilly, Also Introducing Three New Limited Wines
We love hosting tastings like this. They provide valuable insight into how the wines age and how vintage variability is reflected in the wine. Plus it’s a great excuse to drink ten or so different bottles all at once! Despite the high scores and collector focus on Owen Roe stars like DuBrul Cabernet Sauvignon and Chapel Block Syrah, David feels the Yakima Red best represents what they do as a winery. An ever-shifting Bordeaux blend depending on the vintage, it is a true winemaker’s wine; excellent raw materials yes, but the final result depends on the mood and artistry of the winemaker as much as the vintage. It was always exciting to see what each new release would offer over the years, and it will be really exciting to see all of them stacked up one after another.

Bonus Round: After drinking the past, let’s taste the future. David will introduce his new limited-production single-vineyard Bordeaux blends from DuBrul, Red Willow and Union Gap. For years, these vineyards have been the backbone of the Yakima Red. Moving forward these new bottlings will be the flagship wines of Owen Roe: site-specific beautifully crafted blends that show the absolute best Yakima has to offer.

Friday May 31, 6:30 pm, $65.Space is limited. Reservations and pre-payment required.

Ewald Moseler of Mitchell Wines will present three the most traditional German and Austrian white wines –Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau and three Pinot Noirs from different wine regions – Ahr, Württemberg Germany and Burgenland, Austria.

5-7 pm, $5.

No Tasting

Mt. Tabor Fine Wines Oregon Pinot Noir
4-8:00 pm, $15.

Adriane Bovero with Drink Think Imports pouring

6-9 pm, $12

Special tasting of Chateau de Saint Cosme

5-7:30, $10

TINY BUBBLES! Our almost half-way Bubbles EVENT, Champagne, Cava, Prosecco & more

4:30-7:30, $15

White Burgundy & Cheese Pairing

Walter Scott Winery Tasting with Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon!

Ken and Erica are two of the hardest working wine folks in the Willamette Valley, simultaneously wearing winemaker, wine distributor rep and sommelier hats among them. And now they have their own winery! This Friday Ken and Erica will be at Storyteller pouring their newly released 2012 Pinot Blanc and two of their dynamite 2011 Pinot Noirs, the Holstein Vineyard and the Clos des Oiseaux Vineyard.

In addition to the Walter Scott wines we will be pouring the newly released 2012 Domaine Maestracci “E Prove” Rosé from Corsica and a bubbly trea from France. To celebrate Ken and Erica’s new winery we will be toasting them with a champagne from Le Domaine de Vouette & Sorbée. There will be no charge to taste these five fantastic wines. I hope you are able to join us!

6-9 pm, free.

Tuscan Treasures, pt. 2- the tour continues with more sangiovese greatness!

4:30-8 pm, fee.

Phelps Creek

5-7:30, $5 (waived with purchase)

Woodstock Wine and Deli
6:30 pm, $10.

Thursday’s Wine Tastings in Portland, Oregon

bernard — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:39:23 +0000

Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Cheese Bar

Peter Weygandt Wines

There are only a handful of importers whose name alone on a back label of a wine bottle will ease any doubts as to the character and quality of the wine in said bottle. Peter Weygandt is one of those few. He has been importing wine, predominantly from France, for the past 25 years. We recently had the opportunity to taste with him, and what struck us most was his soft spoken demeanor. It seemed as if he did not want a sales pitch to obstruct our perception and enjoyment of the wines he was presenting. On the contrary, it seemed the wines themselves were the sales pitch as nothing more needed to be said. The lineup seemed perfect for one of our Thursday night tastings. So this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 we will feature two whites (Picpoul and Gros Manseng) and two reds (a Rhone blend and a Carignan) from the Weygandt portfolio. We hope you can join us!

Korkage Wine Shop

A great Rhone Line-up this week from Chateau Saint Cosme – the estate and vineyards have been passed down in this winemaking family since 1490 – fourteen generations. Now that’s some history! They’ve annually stacked up wines in Wine Spectator’s top 100 (actually in the top 10 most recently), and we’ve got their latest for you to try:
2011 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Blanc
NV Saint Cosme Little James Basket Rouge
2011 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Rouge
2011 Chateau Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion
2011 Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage
2011 Chateau Saint Cosme Gigondas
Special note: We will also have a limited amount of their 2011 Cote Rotie available for purchase!

6-9 pm, fee.

Adriane Bovero with Drink Think Imports pouring

Wine Class Tonight: Magnolia’s Corner “Washington vs. California”

bernard — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:31:01 +0000

from Magnolia’s Corner Facebook Page

From Magnolia’s Corner Facebook Page:

Wine Classes Led by Sommelier Alan Stevens

*Limited Spaces available, to register call 503.459.4081 or Email Magnoliascorner@gmail.com

$20 Per Class, includes light food pairing

Washington vs. California
Wednesday May 29th, 2013 6:30pm-7:30pm

TGIWTIPF! “Hog Wild” Wine Tastings in Portland Friday, May 24

bernard — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:19:04 +0000

Memorial Day Weekend is always a ZOO in Willamette Wine Country, with tons of people, cars, animals and wine! Most wineries are open and doing special tastings, but if you are staying around town tonight, there are even more tastings in Portland.

Check out the details below, wine shop writers went hog wild for their Friday night tastings!

Friday, May 24, 2013

No tasting

TBD

5-7 pm, $5

No tasting

Owen Roe.

Many of you need no further explanation, as there is certainly a cult following for this local producer. But for those of you who’d like an introduction: let me just summarize by saying, “BIG REDS.” Need I say more? Okay, I will…

This winery sources most of their fruit from Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley. Owen Roe, by the way, is a mythological Irish hero. You will probably recognize the folklore-inspired labels – these guys have definitely nailed their branding. And ultimately, they’ve nailed the market for wine drinkers who seek dark, inky, bold, fruit forward, spicy wines. Come ‘n get it!

Owen Roe, Columbia Valley, OR

2011 Sharecroppers Pinot Noir
2012 Abbot’s Table Wine (NEW VINTAGE!)
2011 Sinister Hand
2011 Ex Umbris Syrah (NEW VINTAGE!)

5-9 pm, $12.

Third Annual Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff

15 Wines for just $15 Bucks!

Celebrate the return of summer in style as we again host some some of our longtime favorite Willamette Valley wineries and winemakers. Featuring a great lineup of reds and whites, this is an excellent way to enjoy our local bounty and kick off summer’s first weekend.

Check out current and brand new releases, including single-vineyard and reserve bottlings, plus enjoy a few exclusive “sneak peeks” at soon-to-be released wines. Whether you’re heading out to the Valley or playing it chill in town, Memorial Day wine tasting starts here.

Cameron – John Paul
Special appearance of the 2010 Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir and Blanc, plus a preview of the 2011 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.

Cristom – Steve Doerner
A slew of 2010 Pinots: Jessie Vyd, new Sommers Reserve and the Mt. Jefferson W.V., and 2011 Pinot Gris.Lemelson – Colleen Glennon
Enjoy the 2010 Jerome and Thea’s Selection before they’re gone plus a sneak peek of the brand new 2011 Six Vineyards Pinot Noir, followed by the 2011 Dry Riesling to freshen the palate.

Walter Scott – Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon
2011 Petite Oiseaux and Dumb Ox single-vineyard Pinot Noir, the 2011 La Combe Verte W.V. Pinot Noir, and the cracklin’ fresh 2012 Pinot Blanc.

This week, Marcus Goodfellow of Matello Winery will be pouring:

Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2012 $15.99

Classic Oregon Pinot Gris, flavors of apple, pear, and honeydew, lushly textured, and balanced by juicy acidity.

Caprice, Yamhill-Carlton 2011 $17.99, 80% Pinot Blanc/20% Pinot Gris, co-fermented. Clocking in at a mere 11.8% alcohol, this wine has great aromatics, and a surprising depth and richness due to the extra year o cellaring it receives. Perfect for serious summer sipping or paired with scallops and other shellfish.

Durant Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, 2011 $26.99, A perfect example of the “new” Oregon Chardonnay. All neutral barrels showcase the natural texture and minerality found in Oregon’s best sites.

“Lazarus” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 $20.00,
Juicy, fresh, red and black raspberries with layers of spice and earth. Lazarus showcases the quality of artisanal winemaking at an affordable price, this is consistently one of the best Oregon Pinot Noir for QPR.

Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 $36.99

Classic Oregon Pinot Noir blends elegance, dynamic fruit, and perfect balance. While delicious now, this is a perfect wine for cellaring for a few years and shows the world class quality here in our own backyard.

“Fool’s Journey” Srah/Viognier, Deux Vert Vineyard 2010 $28.99

One of the most unique wines you will ever try, and grown here in Oregon! From the Deux Vert Vineyard just outside of Yamhill, this is a wonderful expression of truly cool climate Syrah. Elegant flavos of black raspberry, exotix spice box, and smoke, wind with juicy fruit and bright acidity. Perhaps the perfect wine for duck confit!

5-7 pm, $5.

No Tasting

Chuck Whitman with Galaxy Imports pouring Friday

Famille Perrin was established in 1909. Over the years they have cultivated and promoted the different crus, or villages, in the southern Rhone Valley. Their crowning star has always been Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Renwood Winery was established in 1993 in Amador County. They have a great source of old vine Zinfandel and also purchase old vine Zinfandel grapes from other parts of California.

*Perrin Côtes du Rhône Blanc

A blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Rousanne grown in sandy, clay, limestone soils.

*Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages

The “Villages” designation connotes a higher quality vineyard selection. Only 20% of Cotes du Rhones have this designation. This is comprised of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Cinsault. No new oak.

*Perrin Vinsobres Les Cornuds Vinsobres is located in the most northern region of the southern Rhone. This wine is 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah. 91 points The Wine Spectator.

*Renwood Clarion Amador 75% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah.

*Renwood Zinfandel Old Vine Dry Creek 100% Zinfandel.

*Renwood Zinfandel Fiddletown (Amador) 90% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah.

*Perrin Gigondas Les Gilles The Gigondas appellation tends to produce bigger style wines. 80% Grenache dominates with the balance being Syrah. 92 points Tanzer’s International Wine

Mt. Tabor Fine Wines

GLOBAL CHARDONNAY AND BYE BYE JOANNA

I can’t believe it. Our Joanna is leaving us for the Midwestern metropolis of Chicago. She’s been one of the “angles” at our Friday night tastings for almost 10 years and many of you have developed close friendships with her. I know we’ll all miss her terribly and this Friday will be a good opportunity to come in and say goodbye as she’ll be working her final tasting (tears!).

And while you’re here you can taste a flight of delicious Chardonnay from Italy, California and, of course, France. It’ll be fun to compare wines made from the same grape, grown in different climates and soils. Always informative and fun, but………………………

…you have to pay attention!See you, and Joanna, on Friday,
Sandy

The Lineup

2012 Domaine La Croix Belle/ Cotes De Thongue- S. France   $12
2010 Foxglove/ Central Coast, California $14
2010 Olivier Morin, Chablis/ Burgundy, France   $20
2010 Branko/ Collio-Friuli, Italy   $22
2010 Deux Montille, Rully/ Burgundy, France   $35

Premium Pour ($5)

2011 Philippe Chavy, Meursault “Narvaux”/ Burgundy, France $49

4-8:00 pm, $15.

What’s Red, White, Brown and Bubbly All Over? A Positively Kick Ass Champagne Friday at OWOB – TOMORROW! That’s right folks! This Friday Dene and Emily are behind the bar and our one and only “Norm” (Ramesh of course!) will be gracing us with his presence! To top it off we have an out of this world selection of bubbles for you! From Reims, 3 killer selections from Aubry:

Brut NV: a wonderful expression of stainless and heavy handed on the Meunier; Brut Rose: lovely and fruity and perfect for this time of year and (drumroll…..) 2007 Le Nombre d’Or Sable, it’s possible you’ve not had bubbles this special before. This grand finale is a blend of 4 varietals, 3 of them grandfathered into AOC regulations.
If that’s too nerdy for you we don’t have to talk about it, we can just drink it! See you this Friday on Broadway!

Brut Rose
2007 Le Nombre d’Or Sable Flight of 3, $24

Picnic Wines from Willamette Valley (Rose, BBQ Reds, etc.)

5-7:30, $10

BORDEAUX! Reds & Whites from the old World!

4:30-7:30, $15

Pizza and Pinot, Friday May 24

We’re gearing up for Memorial Day Weekend in Wine Country, but first we want to give PDX peeps a chance to take part in the festivities a little closer to home, without having to face Hwy 99!!

We’re releasing our limited-production Pinots – the 2011 Audrey and 2011 Long Run this weekend, and will be pouring Burgundy & Champagne to go with some savory flat-bread pizzas. UPDATE – TASTING FLIGHT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT: 2010 Mâcon-Prissé from Domaine Thibert, 2010 Scott Paul La Paulée, 2011 Scott Paul The Long Run, and the Francis Cossy Brut Grower Champagne. Yum! (See our Facebook & Twitter feeds for the code word to get a taste of the 2011 Audrey!)

Tasting fee $10, refundable with 3 bottle purchase.

Kicking off the Holiday Weekend Right!

Given all the distractions out there this weekend I figured it would be a good idea to put together a tasting lineup that just might convince you to head on over to Storyteller for a spell. There will be no charge to taste the following wines:

2012 Domaine de Marquiliani Vin de Corse Rosé
Is this the best pink wine on the planet these days. Marshall Manning, Brianne Day and Naomi Pomeroy might be willing to make the case. The Amalric family has been farming their vineyards on Corsica since the early 1960s and they only make one wine: this rosé. Anne Amalric is making the wine now and according to Kermit Lynch, “drinking her rosé is like drinking a cloud. There’s an absolute weightlessness to it. Nothing is left on the palate but perfume.” Folks, this wine alone is worth the trip to Storyteller.

2011 Celler Cecilio Gratallops “Black Slate” D.O. Priorat
2011 Clay Pigeon Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (if any is left)
2010 Minimus Wines No.# 2 Copigmentation Tempranillo
2011 Magellan Le Fruit Defendu

There will be a “super pour” and it is a good one. For a modest tasting fee you will be able to taste bottle number 365 of the “Arboreus” from Paolo Bea. This wine is made with grapes from 120-year old pre-phylloxera Trebbiano Spoletino vines that are trained up old, gnarled trees in Umbria. Only 278 cases were made for the entire planet to enjoy.

6-9 pm, free.

Tuscan Treasures, pt.1- A tour of the rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards of this beautiful region. Chianti, Brunello, Vino Nobile and more!

4:30-8 pm, fee.