Southern Invasion at The Oregon Wine, Food and Brew Festival

The South really did invade the North tonight at The Oregon Wine, Food & Brew Festival at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. I haven't attended this event since I was ten years old when I was drug to it by my parents. All I can remember from being a tag-a-long was sneaking oyster cracks from all the vendors. Apparently, this event underwent a revamp this year with new owners, vendors, and entertainment. The renovations seemed to pay off, because there were no glasses left by the time I showed up at 5 p.m.

Walking through the aisles of booths, it was exciting to see the strong representation of wineries from the Umpqua and Rogue Valley AVAs. There were four wines that shined their way into my heart tonight.

4. 2008 Spangler Malbec- Outside of barrel tastings, this was one of the first Southern Oregon wines of the 2008 vintage that I have tasted. It was very bold and coated the glass. I was fortunate to be able to try the Malbec, because it was on the tasting table by accident. I wanted to buy a bottle, but they had no supply. Next time I am in Roseburg, I am swinging by to pick up this wine.

3. 2007 Pudding River Viognier- Viognier is not a varietal popularly produced in the cool-climate of the Willamette Valley. However, it has become a staple in Southern Oregon and my favorite white wine varietal. I was eager to try this anomaly. On the nose the wine was pure honeysuckle. But, once I tasted the wine, it was reminesant of my lunch when I ate three clementine oranges (laziness happens). Bright and cheerful, I was delighted to see this Viognier defy the odds.

2. 2007 Hillcrest Old School Pinot Noir- Hillcrest is Oregon's oldest estate winery. Owner, Dyson Demara shared this soft Pinot Noir with great pride. This Roseburg winery is a family-crafted operation between his wife and children. He joked that now that his kids are getting of high school age that he is losing a lot of his work force due to sports and school trips. The wine was beaming with strawberries. Dyson explained that the Pinot Noir grapes were harvested at one-ton per acre, which is extremely low, causing it to have high glycerol adding a creamy texture.

1. 2007 Misty Oak Pinot Noir- The 2007 Stuckagain Heights Pinot Noir attracted me with its plum then jammy fruit flavors with slight spicy finish. I walked away with three bottles of this 2007 Pinot Noir and a pleasant discovery of this winery. Owners, Kristy and Steve, have created quite a gem in short time they have been producing wines.

Thank you to all the Southern Oregon wineries who made the trip up North to share your wines. I was heart-warmed to hear all the great things people were whispering to each other after they sipped your creations.