Category Archives: Oregon

RECOMMENDED: Erath 2009 Pinot Noir. 13.5% ABV, around $15.

Posted on November 1, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Medium ruby. Nose of cherries, strawberry. First impression: a little hot, bright fruit, spicy at mid-palate with nutmeg. Softened as it opened up with cherry and raspberry added; could be the “hot” impression came from new oak. A good Oregon … Continue reading →

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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Pappas Wine Co. 2010 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley. 13.4% ABV, $18.99.

Posted on October 21, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Beautiful light- to medium-ruby color with luscious pink edges. Gorgeous nose of strawberry, baking spices, cigar box—and an occasional whiff of dust and blood because of the volcanic soil in the area. Juicy and succulent, balanced, lively, just wonderful. It … Continue reading →

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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

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

Two Kilts Brewing Company, Portland, OR, 8/16/12

Posted on September 7, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

While the artisinal winemakers in the Portland area blew my mind, “kindred spirits” are burgeoning as well, from craft bourbon and other spirits to craft beer/ale/stout breweries. According to the Brewers Association, by the end of 2011, there were 1,938 … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Oregon, Pale Ale, Restaurants, Stout, 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

Wednesday, August 15, 2012: McMenamins Lodge, near Portland.

Posted on August 26, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

My new friend, Bill Eyer, the creator of the Cuvee Corner blog, posted a marvelous photo essay about the hotel some of us stayed in during the pre-Wine Bloggers Conference excursion to Washington County in Willamette Valley, Oregon. It really … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Catching up on Notes from the Road: Thursday and Friday