Sunday Night White

I'm still so full, I can't believe I can even write about food and wine. Tonight we made Chris' favorite childhood dish- pasta, roasted garlic, olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon, and fresh parsely- with the addition of shrimp. We paired it with the 2007 Pebblestone Cellars Ellis Vineyards Viognier. We picked up the Viognier at the Jacksonville Inn Wine Shop for $18.95.

If the nose was the only indication of the wine, I would have thought I had a new favorite Viognier. The smell was bright and reminded me of green apple Jolly Ranchers candy. However, the taste didn't live up to its

beautiful aroma. This Viognier at 14.1% alcohol is high for a white wine

and it was apparent. The alcohol masked a lot of the flavors. Small amounts of citrus and minerality shined through. As the wine rose closer to room temperature I enjoyed it more.

Typically, I wouldn't have enjoyed this wine by itself, however, the food pairing enhanced the mild flavors I was able to detect and it turned out to be a good Sunday night dinner- thats the beauty of food and wine pairings.

Put Your Cellar in Your Pocket

I am a technology geek, I admit it. I have an iPhone and I couldn't imagine living without it. With the announcement of Apple's newest product, The iPad, I wanted to show you what is available for these devices in the way of wine applications (apps).

After trying out four wine recommendation apps, my favorite one is Hello Vino - Wine Recommendations. This app can take you in 2 directions. The first is you can find a wine recommendations based on a food item, occasion (for example Valentine's Day), taste, style, or region! The second is it can help you pair food with wine you already have in your collection. I mainly use it to determine what type of wine I should have with what I am planning to eat. Now I know the next time I am shopping for spicy chicken taco ingredients I should pick up a bottle of Gewurztraminer!

In addition to wine recommendation apps, I tried a couple wine cellar apps. The one most intriguing was Cellar. It has been more about fun than

anything else, but Cellar has allowed me to organize my wine library into a virtual cellar! It adds a touch of personalization by allowing you to add the label to the bottle via a picture. I have copied a few of the labels from the winery websites but in a pinch you can always take a picture of the label with your iPhone and add it on the go.

There is a section for wines that you want to buy or are interested

in as well. For example, if you are trying to remember what that particular bottle of splendid Southern Oregon Syrah was that you had last week, all you have to do is consult your virtual cellar, just make sure you add it to the app when you have the chance! As a side note, it's best to start as soon as you can, before your library grows too large! The last thing you want is for this to be a burden rather than something approachable and fun.

Happy Dance Time!

I just did a ten minute happy dance when I found out we were #79 in Google's Top 100 Wine Blog Search! Now that I have calmed down slightly, here is the link:

Top 100 Wine Blogs in Google Search: Reveals about 40,400,000 entries for 'wine blog'

Thanks for all your support! This is just the beginning...

Apothecary Inn: perfect pairing to a Southern Oregon wine adventure!

Jillian and Ryan Garret’s life would make a great sitcom. “A young couple moves out to the rural country into an old fixer-upper house and starts a Bed & Breakfast.” And that is just what they have done, without the film crew.

I gravitated to Apothecary Inn after reading the Garret's story on their website. As an entrepreneur, I admire what they have created and think Apothecary Inn would enhance any Southern Oregon wine getaway experience.

Apothecary Inn, located in the beautiful Applegate Valley, opened last May. When asking Jillian what inspired her and Ryan to open a Bed & Breakfast, she responded, “I don't recall exactly what moment Ryan and I decided to open up a bed and breakfast. I know we talked and dreamed about it very early on in our dating. We both love to cook, so I think that was part of it. I remember once my family joked that they should buy us a bed and breakfast because we loved to cook so much! Ryan and I had discussed opening up a little cafe, but decided that we just weren't cut out for the restaurant biz. We wanted something a little bit different...”

And different is what they got. After Jillian graduated college at the University of Utah, the couple decided to move back to Oregon to be closer to family. They returned to Oregon with “no set plans and a whole lot of hope.” They searched for homes and after a few fell through, went with their last resort on the Upper Applegate Road. The place was a fixer-upper’s dream, and a first time homeowner’s nightmare.

Jillian recalls the first night they spent at the house. None of the furniture had arrived, so they had to sleep on one of the old mattresses that the previous owners had left in the master bedroom. There was a spider (not to mention mouse & snake) infestation in the home at the time, and though the sellers had the place treated, it had not taken full effect yet. So, to be modest, there were roughly 500 million brown recluse and hobo spiders in attendance as well that night. Needless to say, Jillian and Ryan didn’t sleep at all.

It’s been almost three years now since that fateful first night, and both Jillian and Ryan are proud of what they have accomplished in that time. In the beginning, things were so financially tight they could not afford to do more than paint the walls in the house. But, little by little the couple infused color and their antique collection to bring life into the home. They also we able to tear down the old barn and replace it with an appealing red barn to house their animals.

Then the serious renovations began. From January – April 2009, the house was almost completely gutted: new walls, insulation, appliances, electrical, and more! Jillian jokes, “One thing I will say about remodeling is if your marriage can survive a remodel, it can survive anything!”

With the Apothecary Inn, Jillian and Ryan have strived to bring people a unique experience not offered elsewhere in Southern Oregon. It’s not simply about fine breakfast dining – we want to show people where their food comes from. One of their goals is to be entirely self-sufficient. Whether or not we ever manage to achieve that on this property does not matter – this is the goal that we strive for; this is what keeps us going. They raise registered, show-quality Nigerian Dwarf Dairy goats, and these provide the farm’s dairy products. Fresh milk, yogurt, kefir, and soft & hard cheeses are produced from their five (and counting) adorable does. They have a flock of chickens (averaging between 30 and 50 birds) who provide eggs. Jillian works hard at maintaining a very large vegetable garden, which grows in size every year. She saves her own seeds, so there are no hybrids found in the garden. This past year, the couple have constructed a formal herb garden next to the house. In four raised beds made of river rock from the ravine at the side of our property, Jillian has planted culinary and medicinal herbs. These herbs are also used to produce their line of all natural botanical products under the label, “Sangue di Dragone.” They stock each guest bathroom with samples of their soaps, shampoos, bath oils, salves, and facial products.

In regards to the breakfast menu, Jillian adds, “We work hard to make a delicious meal using simple, homegrown ingredients and no sugar or chemicals. Breakfast consists of two courses: the first course is generally a lighter, sweeter course, and is followed by a second, heartier course. Ryan has a 250+ year-old sourdough starter, and makes sourdough rolls to set out as pre-breakfast snacks for guests.”

The couple loves wine and enjoys being located nearby several Applegate wineries (Valley View Winery is visible from their property).

Apothecary Inn is still the “new kid on the block,” according to Jillian. “The people who come to stay at our bed and breakfast are doing so because they want a truly unique and rewarding experience. In a time where most people don’t connect that their hamburger comes from a cow, or that their Thanksgiving turkey did not start its life in plastic wrap, we are here to show people that there is something good to be said for going back to basics. It’s about using your hands, working hard, and accomplishing a dream. Each generation walks a different path, but that doesn’t mean that we should forget our ancestors. In a day with Walmart and work cubicles, we traded a 40 hour week for a 60 hour week and came out ahead. There is something to be said for returning to your roots. At Apothecary Inn, we’ll show you why.”

To stay up-to-date with Jillian and Ryan, and envy her green thumb, follow the Apothecary Inn blog.

Three Events to Keep Your Weekend Packed!

Since there is no football to keep you preoccupied this weekend, you should hit the local scene! Here are three events to check out:

Matt the Electrician, who has a great story of how worked his way to the stage, will be playing a concert at Brandborg Winery in Elkton on Saturday, January 30th, at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.

Raise Your Glass in Roseburg is hosting an Abacela Wine Tasting on Saturday, January 30th at 7 p.m.

Troon Vineyard is hosting CabFest Saturday and Sunday, January 30th & 31st from 1-4 p.m. The Gold Medal winning 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Single Vineyard Buren Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2006 Kubli Bench Cabernet Sauvignon will be featured.

I am disappointed I can't be in more places at once, because I will be pouring at an Oregon Truffle Festival luncheon.

From Bottle to Glass...Literally.

I have been keeping my eye on Green Glass Company ever since I heard of them a few months ago. Green Glass Co. had spawned an idea for Christine and I to create wine glasses from old wine bottles. While it was a great idea, we knew nothing of glass or even how to create our concept. After days of researching glass kilns and ways to fuse and slump glass we decided to leave it to the professionals. Although they don't make wine glasses from recycled bottles (How cool would it be to serve someone your wine in a glass that used to be your bottle?) The Green Glass Company produces a very unique product that also, by the way, doesn't produce ANY hazardous byproducts.

It looks like we weren't alone in thinking about recycling wine bottles. The folks at Cowhorn Vineyard and Garden, located in the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon, have officially sent their first shipment of used wine bottles to the Green Glass Company- 1000 bottles!! These bottles will be recycled and turned into goblets, pitchers, tumblers, vases, and votives.

In addition to recycling their used glass, Cowhorn, the first and currently only Demeter certified Biodynamic Winery in Southern Oregon, also recycles their used corks. They have partnered with the Ashland Food Co-op and set up a cork drop off location in order to be able to recycle more. This reminds me of a nationally recognized non-profit organization that was started here in Oregon by another winery. The Cork ReHarvest program has been a big hit and has acquired whole foods as a nationwide partner for their drop off locations. Great minds think alike and Cowhorn doesn't miss a beat!

Crab and Wine Pairings

Here comes the Portland Seafood and Wine Festival! Scheduled for February 5th and 6th, smack dab in the middle of Dungeness Crab season, this event is showcasing 56 Oregon wineries (over ten of them being from Southern Oregon), restaurants, breweries, and artisans.

The Portland Seafood and Wine Festival is held at the Oregon Convention Center from 2 p.m.- 10 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday. Admission to the festival is $12 and portions of the ticket price goes to the Oregon Chapter of the National MS Society.

Many people automatically think to pair a big, buttery Chardonnay with the sweet decadence of crab. Sure goes, but set the Chardonnay aside and reach for a more vibrant wine that won't overshadow the crab.

My picks for best wine to pair with crab are:

A rich Viognier is my first instinct. A worthy rival to Chardonnay, but often more floral in aroma and tropical in taste. The 2008 Del Rio Vineyards Viognier ($20) has a great, sweet nose of honeysuckle, orange blossom and anise that will help bring out the sweetness in the crabmeat. On the palate the smooth texture is held up by the acidity with a light lemon characteristic.

Gewurztraminer is another go to wine for shellfish and a great compliment to spicy, aromatic food. If there's a bit of chili or fresh herbs in your version of crab, you've got a great match. The 2008 Brandborg Winery Gewurztraminer ($16) is thick and rich with lots of ripe apricot and balanced with the spice of clove and black pepper. This pair will make for an exciting, indulgent meal.

Albarino, a crisp Spanish varietal, is similar to Viognier and Gewurztraminer. The 2008 Albacela Winery Albarino ($18) exhibits a floral bouquet and lovely aromas of citrus, pear, yellow stone fruits and honey. The bright acidity and round texture fold into a crisp dry finish with distinct minerality.

A rare full bodied, French style of Riesling are heavy in their perfume with a rich body and texture. The Hillcrest Vineyards 2007 Dry Orsatian Riesling ($24) has a pear/orange peel nose and finishes with ruby red grapefruit flavors. While full bodied and fruity, this style does finish dry.

Wine Trivia at Edenvale!

Come test out your wine knowledge this Sunday, January 24th, begining at noon and continuing every hour on the hour, with wine tasting along the way at Edenvale Winery. Skill levels will range from novice to conoisseur, so don't fret if you come only knowing the basics, because you'll leave as a pro!

Edenvale Winery features Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier, Late Harvest Viognier, red and white blends. The Tasting Room is located at 2310 Voorhies Road, Medford, Oregon.

Troon Vineyards- Ports-ploration!

Troon Vineyards, located in the Applegate Valley AVA, held a vertical Port tasting this past weekend. They welcomed back the 2005 and 2006 Reserve Insomnia Ports from the library and showcased the newest released 2007. The 2007 vintage is made in the Ruby style, whereas the 2006 and 2005 are Reserve style.

The 2007 Insomnia Port is made from 100% Tempranillo, the traditional Portugese varietal. The 2007 is bright ruby red in color. The mouthfeel is light in consistency with flavors of raspberry and creamy caramel. The 2007 Port has an alcohol content of 18%. This Port was tasting fabulous now, but has a cellar life of 20 years. The retail price was $23.

The 2006 Reserve Insomnia Port, also made from 100% Tempranillo, is darker in color than the 2007 and quite a bit warmer on the nose due to the 20% alcohol content. It smells of plums and vanilla. It is rich in the mouth and sweet, but not syrupy. According to Troon, 2006 was one of their best port vintages to date. It can be cellared for 25 years. The retail price is $29.

Finally, the 2005, made with Tempranillo and Dolcetto varietals, has a very distincted musty smell on the nose. The Port is 20% alcohol and was is not currently available for sale.

The naming of the Troon "Insomnia Ports" has a great story behind it. The winemaker, Herb Quady, a second generation portmaker, recognizes that there is such a short window of opportunity for perfect fortification that he stays up for days waiting for the correct moment.

In his words, "Portmaking is a subtle sub-discipline of winemaking. Those who take it seriously, take it very seriously. My father takes it seriously. In 1975, the year of my birth, he took portmaking so seriously he decided to quit his job, and begin a lifelong commitment to sweet, fortified wines. Because of my father, I also take portmaking seriously, not necessarily because of any deep profound commitment, but, more of a fear that if I make my Port too dry, too extracted, too fruity, or too sweet, I’ll never stop hearing about it. These things cross my mind at 11:00 p.m. when I debate whether or not to just add the fortifying spirit, and go home. I say to myself, “maybe people might like a sweeter style…” But then, as soon as it began, the justification is crushed by the haunting image of paternal disapproval. And so, the patient vigil winds on. I always think that the next sample will show the big brix drop, the drop I would surely miss were I to head home, change out of my wet clothes and take a nap. Ironically, were I to take the chance, I could probably head home right now, eat some meatloaf, take a shower, and grab a quick cat nap. But, I just can’t leave, because it just might be that next sample… I’ve tried different things with the Port fermentations so that I wouldn’t have to fortify at 3 am. I’ve tried inoculating in the morning – still, 3 a.m. I’ve tried it in the evening, that year it was 2 a.m. In 2006 I was smart enough to inoculate on a Friday. The fermentations are never fast enough to be fortified on a weekend!"

The Troon Vineyards' Insomnia Ports are great "sippers after dinner," and will surely warm up any winter evening.

Chocolate & Wine Alchemy

Wine and chocolate are my two vices, along with millions of other people. A special touch many of the wineries in Southern Oregon are adding to their tasting experiences is pairing chocolate with their wines. Multiple wineries I visited this past weekend had Dagoba as their choice chocolate producer.

I had seen Dagoba chocolates in many of the grocery stores I frequent, but I never knew it was founded in Ashland by Frederick Schilling in 2001. Schilling had a mission to make exceptional chocolates with pure cacao and exotic flavors. Dagoba currently offers eighteen varieties of untraditional chocolate bars from the 74% cacao Superfruit containing acai, goji, and currents to the 59% cacao Lavender containing blueberries and lavender oil. Mmmm...

Their passion for the environment inspires their pursuit of Full Circle Sustainability, where they work with cocoa cooperatives in Costa Rica to sponsor re-forestation programs, partner with urban greening programs in the United States, purchase green power for their manufacturing plant and use recycled content packages with soy based inks.

Dagoba was acquired by The Hershey Company in 2006, but maintained their retail location in Ashland at 1105 Benson Way. I also read that Larks Restaurant at the Ashland Springs Hotel serves a Dagoba Chocolate Sunday. Yes please!

Here is a great idea: Spend Valentine's Day Weekend with your sweetheart chocolate and wine pairing! Pack along your own favorite Dagoba bar and hit the wineries to find your favorite combination! Then report back your top choice combinations, so I can give them a try!

On my Radar: Red Lily Vineyards!

I became curious about the 2006 Red Lily Tempranillo when I reported its gold medal results at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition last week. As fate would have it, it was being poured in the RoxyAnn Winery Tasting Room this weekend when I visited. I will continue to say, I am a very lucky girl!

Red Lily Vineyards, the "baby" of Les and Rachael Martin, is named after the Bolander's Lily, a rare plant species found only in northern California and southern Oregon. Red Lily Vineyards produces only one wine varietal currently- Tempranillo. Tempranillo is the classic Spainish varietal and is a variant of Pinot Noir. As Jancis Robinson writes in The Oxford Companion to Wine, "Tempranillo is Spain's answer to Cabernet Sauvignon."

Tempranillo takes its name from the Spanish word "Temprano," which means "early," a reference to its fast ripening time. It bud breaks late and only needs a relatively short growing season with hot days and cool nights to preserve the fruit's acidity- Southern Oregon's climate is ideal.

While Tempranillo has always been prominent in Spanish wines, it has been making strides in the United States. Spain has approximately 4.5 million acres planted in vines with 100,000 acres of that being Tempranillo. In comparison, it is estimated that there are around 1,000 acres of Tempranillo planted in the United States, 100 of those acres in Southern Oregon.

The 2006 Red Lily Tempranillo was the highlight to the visit at RoxyAnn that day. It was being poured because Rachael Martin also helps RoxyAnn is winemaking efforts. The wine smelled of enchanting earth and wild berries. On the palate it was full of dark fruits and raisins. One taste certainly wasn't enough of this wine. The 2006 Red Lily Tempranillo retails for between $38 and $42. The wine is slightly hard to come by, but you can hunt it down on their website or at the

RoxyAnn Tasting Room in Medford.

According to the Martin's on their website, there are plans to open a winery and tasting room, but those plans are dated tentatively for Summer 2010. The site will be located where their estate vineyard is planted on Highway 238 in the heart of the Applegate Valley (joining many of my other favorite producers).

I am eager to watch and taste what the future has in store for Red Lily Vineyards!

*Information courtesy of Red Lily Vineyards.

Liven Up Your Weekend!

Both Del Rio Vineyards and Troon Vineyards have events going on this weekend that will make you forget all about the rainy misery outside.

Winter Wine Event at Del Rio Vineyards

January 16, 2010

12:00-1:00 p.m. Rio Club Exclusive

1:00-5:00 p.m. Everyone welcome!

Admission is $10 and includes wine tasting and logo glass.

Taste Del Rio's award winning wines, listen to live music by Clint Ingbretson, and snack on

tasty appetizers.

Troon Vineyards' Portploration!

January 16 & 17, 2010

1:00-4:00 p.m.

Troon will be pouring flights of their highly regarded Insomnia Ports. This may be your last chance to taste and snatch up the 2005 and 2006 vintages before they check into the library. Chocolate pairings will also be available in various percentages of cacao, so you can pick your pleasure. It is never too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day gifts... hint hint boys.

Results are in: SF Chronicle Wine Competition!

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest wine competition in the United States with 4,900 wines entered this year! It is one of the few wine competitions that still really matters in the age where awards are meaning less and less to consumers. It is amazing to see the amount of medals Southern Oregon wineries brought home. This spectacular representation will expose more people to Southern Oregon wine, which is always exciting. There are a few wineries that popped up on my radar and so many more wines I added to my "to-taste" list. Hopefully, I will get to cross a few off the ever-so-long tasting list this holiday weekend!

Granted not ALL Southern Oregon wines were submitted, but did your favorite make the list?

Double Gold

Pebblestone Cellars, Rogue Valley, 2008 Viognier, $19

Gold
Brandborg Winey, Umpqua Valley, 2008 Gewurztraminer, $16
Cliff Creek Cellars, Southern Oregon, 2006 Merlot, $19
Del Rio Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2008 Viognier, $20
Red Lily Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2006 Tempranillo, $35

Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2007 Merlot, $30

Silver
Agate Ridge Vineyard, Rogue Valley, 2008 Roussanne, $22
Agate Ridge Vineyard, Rogue Valley, 2008 Viognier, $20
Brandborg Winery, Umpqua Valley, 2008 Riesling, $16
Del Rio Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2008 Pinot Gris, $16
Del Rio Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2008 Chardonnay, $20
Fiasco Winery, Applegate Valley, 2006 Claret, $23
Fiasco Winery, Applegate Valley, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $38
Fly High Vineyard, Applegate Valley, 2008 Barnstormers Tempranillo, $19
Maragas Winery, Applegate Valley, 2008 Dry Muscat, $18

Maragas Winery, Applegate Valley, 2008 Chardonnay, $25

Melrose Vineyards, Umpqua Valley, 2006 Syrah, $20

Melrose Vineyards, Umpqua Valley, 2008 Pinot Gris, $16

Pebblestone Cellars, Rogue Valley, 2005 Melange, $28

Quady North Winery, Rogue Valley, 2007 Syrah 4-2..A, $25

RoxyAnn Winery, Rogue Valley, 2008 Pinot Gris, $15

RoxyAnn Winery, Rogue Valley, 2007 Estate Claret, $26

Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2007 Syrah, $34

Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2007 Soulea, $34

Splanger Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2007 Claret, $27.99

Splanger Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2007 Cab Sauvignon, $23.99

Splanger Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2007 Cab Franc, $23.99

Splanger Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2008 Malbec, $27.99*

Velocity Cellars, Rogue Valley, 2005 Velocity Blend, $25

Volcano Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2006 Fortmiller Vineyard Merlot, $24

Bronze
Abacela Winery, Umpqua Valley, 2007 Estate Grown Port, $25
Abacela Winery, Umpqua Valley, 2008 Albarino, $18
Agate Ridge Vineyard, Rogue Valley, 2007 Pinot Noir, $24
Agate Ridge Vineyard, Rogue Valley, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $24
Agate Ridge Vineyard, Rogue Valley, 2006 Syrah, $19
Brandborg Winey, Umpqua Valley, 2007 Pinot Noir, $20
Cliff Creek Cellars, Southern Oregon, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $24
Cliff Creek Cellars, Southern Oregon, 2005 Syrah, $30
Del Rio Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2006 Claret, $35
Fly High Vineyard, Applegate Valley, 2008 Windstock White Viognier, $19
Girardet Wine Cellars, Umpqua Valley, 2008 Baco Noir, $25

Lorelli Wines, Applegate Valley, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $22.95

Maragas Winery, Applegate Valley, 2005 Signature Reserve Zinfandel, $30

Melrose Vineyards, Umpqua Valley, 2007 Pinot Noir, $18

Melrose Vineyards, Umpqua Valley, 2006 Merlot, $20

Pebblestone Cellars, Rogue Valley, 2006 Merlot, $20

Schmidt Family Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2007 Cab Sauv, $36
Slagle Creek Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2006 Bella Vista Claret, $16

Slagle Creek Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2007 Denman Chardonnay, $12

Splanger Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2007 Terraces Petite Syrah, $34.99

Splanger Vineyards, Southern Oregon, 2008 Chardonnay, $19.99

Troon Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2005 Estate Old Vine Meritage, $29

Troon Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2008 Kubli Bench Zinfandel, $25

Troon Vineyards, Applegate Valley, 2006 Estate Reserve Cab Sauv, $42

Velocity Cellars, Rogue Valley, 2007 Velo, $18

Volcano Vineyards, Rogue Valley, 2006 Lakeside/Serenade Syrah, $29

*The Spangler Vineyards 2008 Malbec was the wine I got to try by accident last weekend! I am glad the SF Chronicle judging panel agrees with me :)

Congratulations to all the winemakers on a job well done!

Southern Oregon Winery Tasting Fees

Tasting fees can vary from complimentary upwards to $40 in places like Napa and the Willamette Valley, however, this is not the case in Southern Oregon. A great perk when wine tasting in Southern Oregon is the inexpensive tasting fees offered, if any at all.

Even through the sound of complimentary wine tasting sounds ideal, I personally would rather pay the nominal fee. When it comes to complimentary tastings I often feel obligated to buy something, especially if great service was provided. Case and point: the three bottles of Rosé I have piling up to gradually gift to my mom from my last trip to Sonoma. It is not such a problem in places like Southern Oregon where many of the wineries provide such outstanding wines, but it can still happen.

Another great thing is that all Southern Oregon wineries that do charge a tasting fee refund it with purchase. Again, this is a perk of Southern Oregon, and not something you will find everywhere, even though I think it is a necessity.

Here is a list of that tasting fees at Southern Oregon wineries:

Complimentary Tasting Fee

- Applegate Red Winery

- Bear Creek Winery

- Bradley Vineyards

- Bridgeview Winery

- Carpenter Hill Winery

- Crater Lake Cellars

- Deer Creek Vineyards

- Fiasco Winery

- Folin Cellars

- Foris Vineyards

- Giradet Wine Cellars

- Henry Estate Winery

- Hillcrest Vineyard

- LongSword Vineyard

- Melrose Vineyards

- Misty Oaks Vineyards

- Palotai Wines

- Quady North Wines

- Rosella's Vineyard

- Sienna Ridge Estates

- Soloro Vineyard

- South Stage Cellars

- Spangler Vineyards

- Weisinger's Winery

- Wild Rose Vineyard

- Windridge Vineyards

Tasting Fee $3 (Refundable with Purchase)

- RoxyAnn Winery

$5 Tasting Fee (Refundable with Purchase)

- Abacela Winery

- Agate Ridge Winery

- Brandborg Winery

- Cliff Creek Winery

- Cowhorn Winery

- Daisy Creek Vineyards

- Del Rio Vineyards

- Devitt Winery

- Edenvale Winery

- John Michael Champagne Cellars

- Madrone Mountain Vineyard

- Schmidt Family Vineyards

- Trium Winery

- Troon Vineyard

- Valley View Winery

- Wooldridge Creek Winery

Tasting Fee $10 (Non-refundable with Purchase)

- Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, includes food pairings

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.

The South Invades the North

Southern Oregon wineries are invading the Willamette Valley this weekend for The Oregon Wine, Food, and Brew Festival at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. Taste wines from over 41 producers, including Southern Oregon wineries like Spangler, Hillcrest, Troon, Wild Rose and Cliff Creek.


The event runs today (2-10 pm) and tomorrow (noon- 10 pm).

For more information visit: http://www.oregonwinefoodbrewfest.com/

You know where you can find me tonight :)

The Only Time It Is Okay to Judge a Wine by Its Label

One of the first things that attracted me to wine was its strong connection with design. Wine bottles are beautiful, classy, and finish off a table top perfectly. Wineries use eye-pleasing designs on their label to catch the attention of the consumer. And as more and more wineries sprout up, the pressure to differentiate is getting greater and greater, especially on the grocery store shelf. Just walk into your local wine shop or grocer and go to the wine section, if you are like me, you could stand their for hours browsing and admiring the art gallery. Over here you have your traditional exhibit, over here your contemporary, and finally your ethnic collections- Maybe that is how they should organize the shelves?

It my become apparent in my views that I am of the Millennial generation and love fresh and engaging material, that is not "selling" me. Since my generation is the fastest growing wine consumers and the future of wine, I feel Southern Oregon wineries can benefit from my bluntness. Furthermore, I work in wine marketing and I do value a consistent brand image just as much as an avant garde design. I am not saying I like to see the same label on the whole lineup of wines, but a theme is necessary.

Quady North

Quady North of Jacksonville, has done a great job of consistent labeling in their young venture. However, I get the feeling I am in a tattoo parlor when I see their label. I wonder if that is what they were going for? A glass and a tat, anyone? It really takes the edge off.

Abacela

There is no doubt in my mind even a blind person could spot a bottle of Abacela on the shelf. I love their label and feel it matches perfectly to their wines and Roseburg winery. I might be slightly biased since my favorite color is yellow, but it does make the bottle pop and that is a great thing in the red ocean of wine.

Wooldridge Creek

Wooldridge Creek is keeping it classic with its wine labels. I like the labels, but they are safe.

Troon

Wow. Do all these labels really come from ONE winery? And the answer... yes... unfortunately... and there are even more on their website. Individually some of these labels are good, mainly the two river ones. But, as a collection they go together worse than socks and sandals. At the Troon Estate, they go for a very French Chateau look, I wonder why they don't try to pull some of that inspiration into the label? I sense they need to hire 1) a new designer and 2) a brand and marketing coordinator (I am up for consulting... haha).

Cowhorn

I love the colors and how they complement each other, even on such a simple design. The label relays the culture of natural practices, which is important because Cowhorn is biodynamic.

RoxyAnn

I know RoxyAnn can do better than this! And I am saying this to motivate you, not degrade you in anyway. I still adore your wines.

A Montage of more Southern Oregon wine labels:

I don't buy a wine based on its label, and neither should you, because a lot of these wines are phenomenal even if their packaging says otherwise. BUT, after spending hours looking at labels, it was very apparent, Southern Oregon wineries need to step it up on the label designs. You can't become the "next big wine industry" by poorly conveying your product. There is so much creativity floating around, capture a piece, please.

Wine by the glass keg.

Traditionally kegs have been reserved for beer. Well, Wooldridge Creek Winery, located in the Applegate Valley, has begun distributing wine through kegs to local restaurants. This comes as a surprise to many as its not a 'refined' way to sell wine. But consider this, Using kegs cuts down on costs for the winery; no glass, no corks, no foil, no wine boxes. Restaurants love it because they receive the same quality wine they would as if they had bought the bottle but it is extended to them at a cheaper price because the cost of production is lower.

If you are in a restaurant and you order wine by the glass, not only is it typically expensive, but you run the risk of the wine having been opened for days, all the while receiving oxygen, which will spoil your beloved beverage. Wine kegs are pressurized like your standard beer kegs but instead of using carbon dioxide (which would carbonate the wine), nitrogen is used which doesn't allow the wine to become oxidized. Also with the lack of a cork, cork taint is a thing of the past. So, the wine in your glass is as fresh as it would be as if you had opened the bottle at home. And, as an added bonus to you patrons, since the restaurant receives a deal on the wine, the customers typically do too!

Tip: with wines that are completely oxygen deprived, its a good idea to make sure you give your wine a couple of good swirls in the glass to allow the wine to breathe. This will allow for more aromatic compounds to be released typically making the wine more approachable and softer (aka more delicious!).

As of right now, Wooldridge Creek Wines from the keg can be found at Kaleidoscope Pizzeria pub in Medford and also at Standing Stone Brewery in Ashland. If you try one, leave a comment and let us know how it was! I think wine by the keg is a fresh new take on wine that uses less resources and still can deliver a great product, however, I would be wary if I ended up seeing wine in a can!

Brighten Your Dreary January!

It seems like the wineries are hibernating in their cellars and won't be venturing out until spring. Good thing Liquid Assets Wine Bar and Bottle Shop is keeping things lively in Southern Oregon this time of year!

Liquid Assets is hosting 7 concerts this January:

Jan. 2nd: Charles Guy and Daniel Sperry, 7 p.m.

Jan. 4th: Greta Gardiner, 7 p.m.

Jan. 11th: Matt Fawcett, 7 p.m.

Jan. 18th: Flat Five String Band, 9 p.m.

Jan. 23rd: The Maybe Sometimes, 7 p.m.

Jan. 25th: Boris Cummings, 9 p.m.

Jan. 30th: Band du Pays Swing, 7 p.m.

Also, I recommend to visit the nearby Lithia Park for a lovely stroll and ice skating excursion. This outdoor rink is open 5-10 p.m. and is truly the perfect winter activity. Then walk on over to Liquid Assets to warm up over a glass of wine -or two- and catch live music. There is no better way to spend the evening!

Liquid Asset Wine Bar is located in downtown Ashland at 96 North Main Street. They feature 20+ wines from Oregon, Washington, California, and France, a seasonal French-inspired menu, and a thoughtful selection of beer on tap. With its casually elegant setting and walls filled with works of local artisans, Liquid Assets is the ideal place to unwind. Liquid Assets is open daily from 3 p.m. until midnight.