A couple of weeks ago, we boasted about some delightful and cheap rosé wines that the Mrs. had picked up for us at Trader Joe's. Among the comments we received was a scold that we should be drinking Oregon wines instead.
We actually had a bottle of a Grenache Rosé in the cellar from Abacela winery out of Roseburg, and we have now consumed it. It was great. It cost twice as much as the cheaper vinos we reviewed, however, and it's an open question whether it was worth that much extra dough.
Comments (15)
Sounds like I'll have to get my hands on a bottle of this.
You know, I'm dowen with the "buy local" idea for the most part... but I swear, it seems to me that Oregonians (I guess it's mainly Portland area pseudo hipsters) like to push two things Oregon frankly isn't that great at (as much as everyone wishes they were) wine and beer.
I'm not a huge wine conniseur, and it could be my palate is unrefined, but I've never had a "good" medium-priced oregon wine. Some of the more expensive higher-end stuff is quite tasty, don't get me wrong, but there isn't anything that seperates it from the rest... I can guarantee no one will ever go to a dinner party and have a glass of wine bottle unseen and say, "My god, this is a fine Oregon wine!"
And beer. Yes we have 4,000 or so local breweries churning out 100,000 different kinds of beer. Yes we have vast fields of hops. It doesn't mean that they ALL have to go into EVERY KIND of beer! Boo over-hoppy beer! I work for at a brewpub (local) known for about a dozen (if not more) varieties of beer... and none of them are frankly any good. It's a lager-- with double hops!! Double chocolate stout? Don't forget extra hops! Amber ale... hmm, not hoppy enough, dump some more in! Weee! And God save your soul should you find yourself with an Oregon IPA in front of you...
Ok... I'm finished... I think. And I'll qualify the above rant by saying my current favorite beer comes out of brewery in Estacada.... so it's not all bad, not by a long shot. But, in general local booze = pretty mediocre.
Jack - buying local wine helps the industry grow, which keeps grapes in the ground, giving them time to develop the character that comes as vines age. So, it's worth it to spend more for a wine that is no better - if you care about Oregon developing the industry. If not, then it's not.
Dan, hops are great. The hoppier the better. To me, and lots of others. Don't say that Oregon isn't good at beer and wine because you don't like hoppy beers and you prefer heat-intensive wines (which crop 4-8 tons per acre) compared to Oregon's cool-tolerant grapes (which crop only 1-3 tons per acre, thus the higher price). Many wine connoisseurs consider cool-tolerant grapes the pinnacle of the industry.
Frank, deflation will not change it. Micros will always be more expensive than macros, in both wine and beer. They just taste better. You could probably cover the cost by canceling your cable, driving a cheaper car, etc. Point is, most people could, but choose not to. You may be the exception, but the point stands.
The Maryhill Rose of Sangiovese is very nice, and I think it's in the $10 price range. And my favorite everyday red is also from Maryhill, their Winemaker's Red Blend, also about $10 a bottle.
I drink Oregon wines when they are on sale for the most part. Oregon wineries seem to have gotten a bit full of themselves. Anytime Wine Spectator gives their product a rating of 85 or above, they suddenly think they can charge $40 per bottle or more for it. Yeah, there are some bargains out there, but I don't think the Oregon boys and girls have adjusted their prices in line with the economy, market, and their product quality. Give me a nice $15 Malbec anyday.
Now -- after a few more samplings of Iberian economy -- try Abacela's Rosado, made from tempranillo and offering delicious color. You can wait until any bottles left after summer's heat go on sale. Quaff it with Thanksgiving fare.
Rich, Maryhill's vintages are fine, especially the reserves, but they are WA product. The rosé from sangiovese is usually around $14; Fred's has had it for $10 most of the summer -- cheaper than the winery sells it, but the view from Maryhill might be worth the trip.
While you're scooping up deals at Fred's, you might try the Chateau Bonnet rosé, a Bordeaux made from cab sauvignon and merlot, for $10.
Dan, hops are great. The hoppier the better. To me, and lots of others. Don't say that Oregon isn't good at beer and wine because you don't like hoppy beers
Actually, "hoppy" beers aren't a top seller in Oregon, despite the marketing hype to the contrary.
And, extrmely "hoppy" beers *are* a gimmick. In most of the world, much of the beer made here is considered gimmicky. We've got some great beers--but overall, in the past 25+ years of drinking them and watching the industry grow, those tend to be beers that imitate centuries old recipes or slightly tweak them--not those that "double" this or "triple" that or have some bizarre addition of fruits, peppers, or coffee.
A few years ago, when attending a beer event in Munich (not Oktoberfest), I mentioned Portland and got a few laughs. Local beer makers knew of it, and guffawed at the beer gimmicks that seemed to be popular here. They'd even tasted a few that had been sent to them unsolicited.
Meanwhile, the highest sales of beer in Portland (by a factor of 10x to 25x)continue to be national brands. Beer, I think, is another of those things in PDX that's "good", but whose marketed reputation far exceeds its worth.
The cachet of high-end Oregon pinot noirs resulted in many overpriced and underperforming Oregon wines. But for a relatively affordable local rose, you can't go wrong with the pink stuff from Patton Valley Vineyards or Hamacher Wines. Both cost about $16/bottle and are excellent summer afternoon wines. That said, if I had $10 or less for a bottle of rose and wanted to maximize value, I'd opt for something from Spain or Portugual, like Lezaun Rosado for $8 or Casal Garcia Vinho Verde rose for $9. That's good wine at six-pack prices, and you can still "buy local" if you pick it up at Great Wine Buys on NE Broadway.
I erred earlier, parsimonious oenophiles, in writing that Chateau Bonnet rosé can be had for $10 chez Fred's. $6.99 is the modest price requested by Fred's Hawthorne.
Lange, Pinot Gris 2015
Kiona, Lemberger 2014
Willamette Valley, Pinot Gris 2015
Aix, Rosé de Provence 2016
Marchigüe, Cabernet 2013
Inazío Irruzola, Getariako Txakolina Rosé 2015
Maso Canali, Pinot Grigio 2015
Campo Viejo, Rioja Reserva 2011
Kirkland, Côtes de Provence Rosé 2016
Cantele, Salice Salentino Reserva 2013
Whispering Angel, Côtes de Provence Rosé 2013
Avissi, Prosecco
Cleto Charli, Lambrusco di Sorbara Secco, Vecchia Modena
Pique Poul, Rosé 2016
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly Rosé 2016
Stoller, Pinot Noir Rosé 2016
Chehalem, Inox Chardonnay 2015
The Four Graces, Pinot Gris 2015
Gascón, Colosal Red 2013
Cardwell Hill, Pinot Gris 2015
L'Ecole No. 41, Merlot 2013
Della Terra, Anonymus
Willamette Valley, Dijon Clone Chardonnay 2013
Wraith, Cabernet, Eidolon Estate 2012
Januik, Red 2015
Tomassi, Valpolicella, Rafaél, 2014
Sharecropper's Pinot Noir 2013
Helix, Pomatia Red Blend 2013
La Espera, Cabernet 2011
Campo Viejo, Rioja Reserva 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2013
Locations, Spanish Red Wine
Locations, Argentinian Red Wine
La Antigua Clásico, Rioja 2011
Shatter, Grenache, Maury 2012
Argyle, Vintage Brut 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #16
Abacela, Fiesta Tempranillo 2014
Benton Hill, Pinot Gris 2015
Primarius, Pinot Gris 2015
Januik, Merlot 2013
Napa Cellars, Cabernet 2013
J. Bookwalter, Protagonist 2012
LAN, Rioja Edicion Limitada 2011
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2009
Denada Cellars, Cabernet, Maipo Valley 2014
Marchigüe, Cabernet, Colchagua Valley 2013
Oberon, Cabernet 2014
Hedges, Red Mountain 2012
Balboa, Rose of Grenache 2015
Ontañón, Rioja Reserva 2015
Three Horse Ranch, Pinot Gris 2014
Archery Summit, Vireton Pinot Gris 2014
Nelms Road, Merlot 2013
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris 2014
Conn Creek, Cabernet, Napa 2012
Conn Creek, Cabernet, Napa 2013
Villa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc 2015
G3, Cabernet 2013
Chateau Smith, Cabernet, Washington State 2014
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #16
Willamette Valley, Rose of Pinot Noir, Whole Clusters 2015
Albero, Bobal Rose 2015
Ca' del Baio Barbaresco Valgrande 2012
Goodfellow, Reserve Pinot Gris, Clover 2014
Lugana, San Benedetto 2014
Wente, Cabernet, Charles Wetmore 2011
La Espera, Cabernet 2011
King Estate, Pinot Gris 2015
Adelsheim, Pinot Gris 2015
Trader Joe's, Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2015
La Vite Lucente, Toscana Red 2013
St. Francis, Cabernet, Sonoma 2013
Kendall-Jackson, Pinot Noir, California 2013
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Napa Valley 2013
Erath, Pinot Noir, Estate Selection 2012
Abbot's Table, Columbia Valley 2014
Intrinsic, Cabernet 2014
Oyster Bay, Pinot Noir 2010
Occhipinti, SP68 Bianco 2014
Layer Cake, Shiraz 2013
Desert Wind, Ruah 2011
WillaKenzie, Pinot Gris 2014
Abacela, Fiesta Tempranillo 2013
Des Amis, Rose 2014
Dunham, Trautina 2012
RoxyAnn, Claret 2012
Del Ri, Claret 2012
Stoppa, Emilia, Red 2004
Primarius, Pinot Noir 2013
Domaines Bunan, Bandol Rose 2015
Albero, Bobal Rose 2015
Deer Creek, Pinot Gris 2015
Beaulieu, Rutherford Cabernet 2013
Archery Summit, Vireton Pinot Gris 2014
King Estate, Pinot Gris, Backbone 2014
Oberon, Napa Cabernet 2013
Apaltagua, Envero Carmenere Gran Reserva 2013
Chateau des Arnauds, Cuvee des Capucins 2012
Nine Hats, Red 2013
Benziger, Cabernet, Sonoma 2012
Roxy Ann, Claret 2012
Januik, Merlot 2012
Conundrum, White 2013
St. Francis, Sonoma Cabernet 2012
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Comments (15)
Sounds like I'll have to get my hands on a bottle of this.
Posted by Omega 3 Supplements | August 25, 2010 4:30 PM
You know, I'm dowen with the "buy local" idea for the most part... but I swear, it seems to me that Oregonians (I guess it's mainly Portland area pseudo hipsters) like to push two things Oregon frankly isn't that great at (as much as everyone wishes they were) wine and beer.
I'm not a huge wine conniseur, and it could be my palate is unrefined, but I've never had a "good" medium-priced oregon wine. Some of the more expensive higher-end stuff is quite tasty, don't get me wrong, but there isn't anything that seperates it from the rest... I can guarantee no one will ever go to a dinner party and have a glass of wine bottle unseen and say, "My god, this is a fine Oregon wine!"
And beer. Yes we have 4,000 or so local breweries churning out 100,000 different kinds of beer. Yes we have vast fields of hops. It doesn't mean that they ALL have to go into EVERY KIND of beer! Boo over-hoppy beer! I work for at a brewpub (local) known for about a dozen (if not more) varieties of beer... and none of them are frankly any good. It's a lager-- with double hops!! Double chocolate stout? Don't forget extra hops! Amber ale... hmm, not hoppy enough, dump some more in! Weee! And God save your soul should you find yourself with an Oregon IPA in front of you...
Ok... I'm finished... I think. And I'll qualify the above rant by saying my current favorite beer comes out of brewery in Estacada.... so it's not all bad, not by a long shot. But, in general local booze = pretty mediocre.
Posted by Dan Barton | August 25, 2010 4:31 PM
I cannot afford to drink Oregon wines and Oregon beers. May deflation will change that. We'll see.
Posted by Frank | August 25, 2010 5:43 PM
Jack - buying local wine helps the industry grow, which keeps grapes in the ground, giving them time to develop the character that comes as vines age. So, it's worth it to spend more for a wine that is no better - if you care about Oregon developing the industry. If not, then it's not.
Dan, hops are great. The hoppier the better. To me, and lots of others. Don't say that Oregon isn't good at beer and wine because you don't like hoppy beers and you prefer heat-intensive wines (which crop 4-8 tons per acre) compared to Oregon's cool-tolerant grapes (which crop only 1-3 tons per acre, thus the higher price). Many wine connoisseurs consider cool-tolerant grapes the pinnacle of the industry.
Frank, deflation will not change it. Micros will always be more expensive than macros, in both wine and beer. They just taste better. You could probably cover the cost by canceling your cable, driving a cheaper car, etc. Point is, most people could, but choose not to. You may be the exception, but the point stands.
Posted by Huck | August 25, 2010 6:39 PM
Frank - I'd love to know your criteria for medium priced wine. Somehow I suspect it's a lot different than that of hard core oenophiles like me.
Posted by LucsAdvo | August 25, 2010 6:56 PM
The Maryhill Rose of Sangiovese is very nice, and I think it's in the $10 price range. And my favorite everyday red is also from Maryhill, their Winemaker's Red Blend, also about $10 a bottle.
Posted by Rich | August 25, 2010 7:49 PM
Damning with faint praise.
Posted by Mister Tee | August 25, 2010 7:51 PM
I drink Oregon wines when they are on sale for the most part. Oregon wineries seem to have gotten a bit full of themselves. Anytime Wine Spectator gives their product a rating of 85 or above, they suddenly think they can charge $40 per bottle or more for it. Yeah, there are some bargains out there, but I don't think the Oregon boys and girls have adjusted their prices in line with the economy, market, and their product quality. Give me a nice $15 Malbec anyday.
Posted by butch | August 25, 2010 8:51 PM
Now -- after a few more samplings of Iberian economy -- try Abacela's Rosado, made from tempranillo and offering delicious color. You can wait until any bottles left after summer's heat go on sale. Quaff it with Thanksgiving fare.
Rich, Maryhill's vintages are fine, especially the reserves, but they are WA product. The rosé from sangiovese is usually around $14; Fred's has had it for $10 most of the summer -- cheaper than the winery sells it, but the view from Maryhill might be worth the trip.
While you're scooping up deals at Fred's, you might try the Chateau Bonnet rosé, a Bordeaux made from cab sauvignon and merlot, for $10.
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | August 26, 2010 7:22 AM
Dan, hops are great. The hoppier the better. To me, and lots of others. Don't say that Oregon isn't good at beer and wine because you don't like hoppy beers
Actually, "hoppy" beers aren't a top seller in Oregon, despite the marketing hype to the contrary.
And, extrmely "hoppy" beers *are* a gimmick. In most of the world, much of the beer made here is considered gimmicky. We've got some great beers--but overall, in the past 25+ years of drinking them and watching the industry grow, those tend to be beers that imitate centuries old recipes or slightly tweak them--not those that "double" this or "triple" that or have some bizarre addition of fruits, peppers, or coffee.
A few years ago, when attending a beer event in Munich (not Oktoberfest), I mentioned Portland and got a few laughs. Local beer makers knew of it, and guffawed at the beer gimmicks that seemed to be popular here. They'd even tasted a few that had been sent to them unsolicited.
Meanwhile, the highest sales of beer in Portland (by a factor of 10x to 25x)continue to be national brands. Beer, I think, is another of those things in PDX that's "good", but whose marketed reputation far exceeds its worth.
Posted by the other white meat | August 26, 2010 7:50 AM
In addition to the sin of not buying an Oregon wine, you have committed the UNPARDONABLE sin (at least among wine snobs) of drinking a rose.
After all, they just taste good, of what value is that?
Posted by Gordon | August 26, 2010 9:57 AM
Jack,
The cachet of high-end Oregon pinot noirs resulted in many overpriced and underperforming Oregon wines. But for a relatively affordable local rose, you can't go wrong with the pink stuff from Patton Valley Vineyards or Hamacher Wines. Both cost about $16/bottle and are excellent summer afternoon wines. That said, if I had $10 or less for a bottle of rose and wanted to maximize value, I'd opt for something from Spain or Portugual, like Lezaun Rosado for $8 or Casal Garcia Vinho Verde rose for $9. That's good wine at six-pack prices, and you can still "buy local" if you pick it up at Great Wine Buys on NE Broadway.
Posted by jmh | August 26, 2010 10:52 AM
Fortune cover story on Trader Joes.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/08/26/129444917/trader-joe-s-successful-but-secretive
Posted by bg | August 26, 2010 11:30 AM
I picked up a Willamette Valley rose at TJ's for under 10 bucks, which is as local as it gets! Tasted great, and at a great value.
Posted by Spikez | August 26, 2010 1:28 PM
I erred earlier, parsimonious oenophiles, in writing that Chateau Bonnet rosé can be had for $10 chez Fred's. $6.99 is the modest price requested by Fred's Hawthorne.
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | August 28, 2010 12:47 PM