Category Archives: Tastings

Winemakers’ Dinner, Columbia Gorge

Posted on September 24, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

One of the traditions of the Wine Bloggers Conference is the “mystery bus” jaunt. Bloggers bravely board buses, blindfolded. (Not really, just had to get in that alliteration.) All we know is that we are headed to a winery, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Gruner Veltliner, Ice Wine, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Tastings, Tempranillo, Travel, Uncategorized, Viognier, Visits to Vineyards/Winemakers, Zinfandel | 17 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Klinker Brick 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi. 15.8%, $13.95 and up.

Posted on September 20, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

My favorite way to try new wines is to go to a wine bar. Generally these are boutique yet friendly establishments that have wines on pour-it-yourself systems (you buy a card and dispense your own samples), as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Restaurants, Tastings, Tips, Zinfandel | 7 Comments

Montinore Estate, Willamette Valley, 8/16/12

Posted on September 8, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

The view from the driveway to Montinore Estate’s winery and tasting room. The Marchesi family’s lovely home. Looks like it’s the Old South, not Oregon! A composite photo of the winery’s entrance. The view from the tasting room. We started … Continue reading →

Posted in Gewurztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Oregon, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Tastings, Technical Stuff, Travel | Leave a comment

Seven-course winemakers dinner, 1910 Main, Forest Grove, Willamette Valley, OR.

Posted on September 3, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“It’s Willamette, dammit!” I don’t think I’ll ever mispronounce “Willamette” again; ditto for “Meritage.” (“Meritage” rhymes with “heritage.”) But I digress … Stop Three of this wonderful excursion, hosted by the Washington County Visitors Association, was dinner: a seven-course Winemakers … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Restaurants, Tastings, Travel | 1 Comment

A Tour of SakéOne, Forest Grove, Oregon, August 15, 2012

Posted on August 25, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

I was in Portland, Oregon August 14-21 for the Wine Bloggers Conference. On August 15, some of us visited the SakéOne company in nearby Forest Grove. BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW: Saké is gluten-free and sulfite-free. It is treated as a beer … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Saké, Tastings, Technical Stuff, Travel | 2 Comments

Saturday overview

Posted on August 19, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

The morning began with breakout sessions. I attended “How Bloggers Influence the Wine World,” and “The Winery View of Wine Bloggers.” After a quick lunch, I went to a private tasting of William Allen’s new label, Two Shepherds. He is … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Tastings, Travel | Leave a comment

Saturday’s Speed Tasting: Reds

Posted on August 19, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Today’s speed/Twitter tasting of reds: Maryhill Winery 2008 Zinfandel. 14.5% ABV. $16.99. Nose: zings! Family-owned and operated. Growing more than 1/2 of all the zin in WA. Location: next to river, next to mountain, no freezes. Fruit forward, smooth. Cedar, an eensy bit … Continue reading →

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Friday’s Speed-Blogging Tasting: Whites and Rosés

Posted on August 19, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Here are notes from Friday’s “live tasting” (think speed-dating and Twitter combined). Several bloggers sat at each table and were visited by a new winery every 5 minutes who presented a wine and its back story. Here are the wines … Continue reading →

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Catching up on Notes from the Road: Thursday and Friday

Posted on August 19, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Thursday was PACKED with activity: a visit to Montinore Vineyard in the morning with some BEAUTIFUL wines. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is their Borealis white blend: 38% Riesling, 24% Müller-Thurgau, 23% Pinot Gris, 15% Gewürztraminer. This wine was INTENSELY aromatic and equally flavorful … Continue reading →

Posted in Gewurztraminer, Oregon, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Tastings | Leave a comment

Notes from the Road: Saké afternoon, wine dinner

Posted on August 16, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Here’s your loyal correspondent speaking to you from Portland. I know, it’s nearly 4 in the morning for most of you but it isn’t quite 1 here. Today we visited SakeOne. (Saké is pronounced Saw-kay, btw, not sah-key. ‘s okay.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Restaurants, Saké, Tastings, Travel | 2 Comments