It’s getting warmer! Yet, we know what feel warm now; will seem too cool in about 60 days, when it rains until the 4th of July.
Interesting mix of tastings and some real opportunities to focus on a favorite, or a curiosity you’ve harbored.
This week:
Two Italian tastings
A sherry and Valdespino
Values in Grenache
Four decades of Rioja
Chenin Blanc
Aussie Reds
And a winery-focused tasting; Natalie’s
We see a couple of gems, and your interest should be intrigued. A variety of tastings, and tasting fees, so what’s stopping you?
Before heading out, here are some informative videos on how to decant and conserve wine. In addition, we now have an answer to that ages-old question: Are wine cooler, really wine?
How to conserve wine to last longer once opened - Episode #32
Tell me Wine TV Episode 110 - How to decant wine
Tell me Wine TV Episode 115 - Are Wine Coolers actually Wine?
Well, now that you’ve take time to improve yourself and become a more informed wine consumer, here are some opportunities to taste wine!
Remember, being safe is the Portland way!
4525 SW Condor Avenue
Portland OR 97239 (Map)
Phone: 503.221.7435
Nothing so far; awaiting update
2901 NE Alberta Street
Portland, OR 97211
Friday, March 15 . CAPRILI
Special Guests Paolo & Giacomo Bartolommei
4pm - 7pm • $10 Main Flight*, Premium Pours TBD
“In Portlandia, the sea of Italian wines available can be overwhelming, but certain labels have been around for so long they feel like native Oregonians at this point. CAPRILI is one of those wines. This Montalcino producer has been directly imported to Oregon for over 20 years, consistently making it one of the best values for Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino available for restaurants and retail shops to offer. That has made it quite familiar and popular with diners and wine lovers around the city. For this special Friday evening, we will be joined by the owners/winemakers of the estate, Paolo and Giacomo Bartolommei and they will be pouring their latest release of the Rosso and Brunello.”
Everyday Wine
1520 NE Alberta
Tues - Sat, 2 - 10
503.331.7119
Friday night flights (5-9pm)
Friday, March 15th
90 pt Spanish Wines $18 and Under; $12
1515 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
Tel: (503) 287-2897
Email: info@greatwinebuys.com
March 15 - Sherryfest West!
An Export Director, an author and a local sherry importer join us as we host an in-depth tasting of the gorgeous sherries of Valdespino. See above for details. $10
3535 SW Multnomah Blvd
Portland, OR 97219; store phone: 503-244-2617.
Wine order hot-line voice mail: 503-203-3384
Email orders preferred: winenerd@teleport.com
(Friday, March 22nd our "Friday Tasting" will feature new French and Spanish releases with Rod from Zancanella Wine Distribution Group)
This Friday's tasting is a celebration of great value wines that are produced with the grenache grape (or "garnacha" in Spanish). We feature 4 great value reds all from one area in Spain's north, plus a Cava and a spectacular Catalonian white.
1) Kila Cava Brut $9.99 sparkling
“ blend of 35% Macabeo, 30% Xarel-lo, 20% Parellada and 15% Chardonnay. A sensational value, it tips the scales at 11.5% alcohol. Light-bodied and zingy.”
2) Can Feixes Blanc Selecció (2011) $14.99 white
This light-bodied white wine from Spain offers up lime notes, and a mineral-like bouquet. On the palate, the wine has “ome pepper, pear, quince and a dash of pleasant acidity. This is a great wine to pair with shellfish of all sorts. Why does anyone buy insipid Oregon Pinot Gris when this refreshing white has an avalanche of character and personality for about the same price? “
3) "Vina Borgia" Bodegas Borsao 2011 Campo de Borja -Garnacha $7.99 red
“he producer Borsao owns nearly three thousand acres in Campo de Borja, roughly three quarters of the appellation. This rocky zone in the foothills of the Pyrenees is one of the original homes of the garnacha grape. This is a solid value, that is also available in 3 liter boxes.”
4) "Monte Oton" 2010 Garnacha $8.99 red
"The 2010 Monte Oton is 100% Garnacha souced from higher elevation. Spice box, incense, mineral, and black cherry notes inform the nose of this round, supple, savory red. It is an excellent value meant for drinking over the next 4 years." -Parker
5) "Garnacha de Fuego" 2011 (92RP) $8.99 red
“The 2011 Garnacha de Fuego, a 100% Grenache cuvee, was aged in both stainless steel and neutral French oak. There are 10,000 cases for the United States. This amazing wine boasts a dark ruby/purple color along with a sweet kiss of jammy black cherries intertwined with crushed rock notes that give the wine an undeniable minerality. As it hits the palate, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture takes hold and the flavor profile moves towards blacker fruits (ripe raspberries and black currants) intermixed with camphor and forest floor. This full-bodied, rich, glycerin-filled effort should drink well for 4-5 years, perhaps longer. “ 92 points --Parker
6) "Tres Picos" Bodegas Borsao 2010 Garnacha -Campo de Borja $16.99 red
International Wine Cellar 91 Points --- "Glass-staining purple. Lively, faintly medicinal aromas of cherry, blueberry and licorice, plus hints of smoky herbs and flowers. Juicy and expansive, offering sweet, deeply pitched bitter cherry and dark berry flavors supported by a taut spine of acidity and fine-grained tannins. Finishes with powerful spicy thrust and suggestions of candied flowers and woodsmoke. This could pass for a northern Rhone wine, and a really good one at that." -JR
LINER & ELSEN, WINE MERCHANTS
2222 NW Quimby St.
(off 22nd Ave.).
March 15 Four decades of Riojas!
Mt Tabor Fine Wines
4316 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97215
(503)235-4444
March 15th : Italy’s Less Traveled Wine Roads ($15)
Last month, France’s less traveled. This month we’ll scout out the great red wines of Italy’s back roads.
The Portland Bottle Shop
7960 SE 13TH Ave. Portland, OR 97202
March 15 – Chenin Blanc
Portland Wine Merchants
1430 SE 35th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
MARCH 15TH: A FOCUS ON SYRAH! Wines from the Rhone, Sicily, California, Washington & more! $15.00!
2537 NW Upshur St
Portland, OR 97210
No tasting Friday, but…
Burgundy & Champagne Classes – 2013
"We’re so pleased to announce our 2013 series of classes!! Scott’s Burgundy and Champagne seminars have been a perennial hit, booking up quickly each year. Classes are held in our Scott Paul PDX space in NW Portland” (2537 NW Upshur St, Portland 97210).
Saturday March 16th, 6-8pm – Finding the Hidden Values in Burgundy $50
“Yes, Burgundy can be very expensive. The famous appellations and most sought-after producers command prices that are out of reach of most of us. However, there is a lot of excellent Burgundy at very affordable prices – if you know where to look. We’ll direct you to many of the hidden gems of Burgundy – appellations and producers whose wines represent tremendous value. We’ll taste six examples during class, and you’ll be ready to stock your cellars with delicious everyday wines at great prices.”
VINO
137 SE 28th Av
Portland, OR 97214
ph: 503.235.8545
March 15th: Australian Reds: bigger, better, and more balanced than ever!
Woodstock Wine & Deli website in transition
4030 SE Woodstock Blvd
No information received
World Class Wines
269 A Avenue
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034
503.974.9841
March 15th Natalies Winery with Boyd Teagarden
Comments