Thanksgiving Wine Pics - What to Do?

Well Wine Lovers, It's that time of year!! The turkey is thawing out, the food assignments have been given, and the relatives are on their way...now for choosing the perfect wine to go with dinner.

If you're like me, you have about 30 + people coming over for an all day event which Means that one 12 pound bird is never going to be enough so we are going the "Two Bird" route...what better excuse to use two different cooking methods and allow for some choice this year!
I am going to BBQ one - via Weber charcoal method, with a sweet brine and aromatics. The other, well lets just say it could fry or roast - and I may not make my mind up on that one for a couple days.

So...I have a bit of a dilemma. What Wine(s) to serve this year, and I am hoping you all can help!!
I have read, researched and even just theorized about all of the possibilities -
A Classic Oregon Pinot Noir for the roasted bird?

A soft, supple and smoky Merlot for the BBQ Bird?

A Big, Monster Truck sized Zinfandel for that Burliest of prizes - The Deep fried Fowl...(insert engine revving sound effect here)

But I am a little torn on weather to vary the wine pics, or dictate the flavor profile for my guests by limiting the choices to just one or two pics...That’s where I need your help!
What are your favorite wines for thanksgiving? What are the best Varietals, Wineries, and yes Folks- when entertaining for the holidays I would even ask what the best of the occasional TJ's, under $10 mass production quaffers are (for those of us on a budget this year)

This is where you all come in NW Wine Lovers - Send me your picks for favorite Thanksgiving Wines. The Price Range is helpful - but more importantly, how will you pick which kind of Wines you are serving this year, and what if any advice would you have for myself and others in doing the same...I will choose the best of the best for the Blog and post them.

Also - if any of you have recipes you would love to share this year - feel free to either send them as a reply to this email or to the wine group email below. I will post those as well...lets see what kind of new traditions we can start together this season!!

Happy Thanksgiving and See you in the Tasting Room!!
Wayne-O
nwwinelovers@live.com

http://www.nwwinelovers.blogspot.com/

"The Inside Scoop" Voume 1 - Thanksgiving Innagural Edition.

The Inside Scoop - Volume One

OK Wine-O's...Welcome to the Innagural edition of "The Inside Scoop" on the NWWL Home Blogspace. If you are reading this and arent yet a member - Just check out our Facebook lonk immidiately to the Top RIght of this page, and if you aren't yet a FB Member sign up, it takes 2 minutes, and then just look up NW Wine Lovers in the FB Search engine. Presto..You are "In The Know"

Now - to the real heart of the matter - for all our NWWL Members out there, we are so fortunate to have active NWWL membership that includes several industry folks and I want to personally thank each and every one of you who have contributed information to make this a wonderful first edition!!

Here is some great info on a couple of places to put on your NW WIne Lovers "Don't Miss" List this Season, Along wih some Sage Advice form a true Industry Leader...

Kate Holmes who Pours out at Montinore Vineyards Tasting Room, and really knows her local wineries sent us this reccomendation:


Wayne, Thanksgiving weekend you should head to ADEA. $20 for six wineries - all fabulous. One of my favorite pinots - Matello. Had some good wine at the festival. I only try the pinot becuase I'm such a junkie but the favorites were Utopia, Cubanisimo, Sol et Soleil.

Adea is just south of Gaston. Their website is www.adeawine.com Ann and Dean Fisher own the place and lease space to Bishop Creek, Matello, Twelve, Cancilla and Biggio Hamina. They are super nice people. It's probably the best deal money wise becuase each of the six wineries has several wines. Lots of Pinot! If you go make sure you tell the winemaker from Matello that I sent you. His name is Marcus and he makes some of the best pinot around.

They will be pretty busy but they do the tasting in the winery so there is usually plenty of room. Adea is appointment only and the other wineries are only pouring when they have an open house so you really only get them all together a couple of times a year. They aren't open the Sunday after Thanksgiving so my suggestion is to go early on either Friday or Saturday. Tell Ann hi for me too. I send them lots of people because their wines are great and they're just really nice.

I can tell you that I personally visited the website and this looks to be a great Winery, some really down to earth people and a good option for those of us who dont want to stand in line for 15 minutes just to get in...Thanks Kate and Very Cool...

I Know Kate will be out at Montinore that weekend also, and we have definately featured there website before but if you are out and about, be sure to stop in and say Hi to her - tell her you saw her inside scoop on NW Wine Lovers!! I have never had a bad visit to this awesome NW Staple.... http://www.montinore.com/

Next, from our friend Scott Beherens at "The Wine Beheren" comes this inside info...

Hey wine luvers, Beaux Frere is only open this weekend, not next. Don't want to miss that one.If your out and about the Friday after Turkey day, be sure to swing by The Wine Beheren as i will be pouring some good juice. Scott.

Good word Scott and Thanks for this little tidbit. I would encourage al to stop in and visit His local thriving WIne Business in Forest Grove, and for more info you can look up http://www.thewinebehren.com/

And these sage words come to us from NWWL Member Karl Dinger - Wine Maker of Terra Vina Wines (Formerly Dalla Vina);

Wayne-O - I'd just like to get on my soapbox for just a minute. Since we are moving into the Thanksgiving season, I'd just like to remind everybody that given the state of the economy, it's more important than ever to shop locally. That very first thanksgiving was a harvest festival intended to celebrate nature's bounty with friends and to give thanks for all of the gifts that were received from Mother Earth. In that same spirit, I'd like to encourage all to drink local wines - go out and find a local producer, preferably within 50 miles of your home. Then, proudly serve wines to your guests that highlight the character and quality of the terroir in our beautiful state. Give thanks for your good fortune to be able to enjoy the great wines that are made here in our own backyard. celebrate the occasion and warmth of being with friends and family - that's what's life is really all about, now isn't it?Also, by buying your wines locally, you'll support your local businesses (growers and producers) and the myriad of others involved in the effort, you'll keep money in your local economy, you'll save fuel, you will be able to enjoy top quality wines from Oregon and Washington and you'll reduce your carbon footprint - after all buying from a local producer means the wine did not have to shipped by truck from all over the country. Local First! - we're all in this together remember. Karl

Karl I couldn't agree with you more - Thats precisely what we are all about here at NW WIne Lovers!! Cheers to you!!

Lastly for Volume 1 of this innagural edition of "The Insdie Scoop" here on the NWWL Blogsite I would like to post this report from our new member Barbe Park from the Carlton Wine Makers Studio -

Hi Wayne~ i don't know if you and yours have traveled down to little old carlton, but i think we here in town have the best deal going! thanksgiving weekend, we will have about 21 wineries "showing" and we've added a free shuttle to bus folks around town. ken wright will be open -only tg weekend and memorial!-and we have a few newcomers along mainstreet that have proven to be upncomers! you can stroll into the horseradish cheeseshop and have one of their delectable plates or go whole hog at cielo bleu italian deli, or hopefully, gilbert will have his fabulous dining room, cuvee, open for lunch and dinner!if you head to the north end of town, visit cana's feast winery where if you're lucky, chef lisa has a spread of her todiefor appetizers! and if you're not familiar with them (cuneo wines), they make some of the biggest, boldest reds around!roll down the hill to the carlton winemakers studio (where i happen to work) and for $20, you can try 30 (THIRTY!) wines! Over and over if you wish!So that's my plug. We make it easy. We make it fun. We want you to come out and see what we do, who we are, and love our wines!Good Luck, Wayne, and enjoy your adventure no matter what you choose!

Barbe Park

Boy Barbe - I gotta tell ya - Having been a veteran of many erstwhile tasting excursions through your formerly "Sleepy Little Berg" I can tell you I honestly understand why Carlton is at the Epicenter of our now Multi-Billion Dollar Wine Industry here in Oregon. Well written and Thanks so much for Contributing.

OK Wine Lovers - Stay tuned for more updates and Local Inside Information as it comes...Check us out on Face book at the link posted above or to contribute directly to the "Inside Scoop" just email me at nwwinelovers@live.com And a Very SPecial Thanks to all our Industry Insiders for making this a great first edition of The Inside Scoop on The NWWL Blogspace!!

As Always - Don't Sip and Swerve....Get a Designated Driver, Take Really good care of them, and make sure everyone in the party buys at least one bottle to send home with them and give as a thank you for this most important of participants in your many safe returns to Wine Country.

Peace and Grapes...

Wayne-O

Head "Wine-O"

NW Wine Lovers

nwwinelovers@live.com

We Are Growing...

Hey there Wine Lovers - our little group is starting to grow. We turned 40 today...40 members that is...

Tempronillo Grapes at Purple Cow

I had know idea when I launched this thing a couple months ago what might happen, but as it turns out we are drawing a significant amount of industry folks from Shop owners, to Winery owners, as well as some Chefs, Servers and a plethora of regular folks who are anywhere from Wine Novices to Straight up Oenophiles.

















Scott Beherens with Jay and I at The Wine Beheren in Forest Grove



I have had a brief setback in terms of getting out to a bunch of wineries and tasting rooms this fall as I have had Knee surgery and been very limited to the amount of traveling I can do - but prior to that I was able to spend a couple days in Napa in October during the height of fall crush, as well as get out for a tasting weekend in September here locally and I can tell you that while Napa has the hype and the press - It is just as beautiful driving through the North Willamette Valley, or out through the Chehalem Valley as it is rolling through Calistoga, Sonoma and Napa.


We are blessed here and the bounty has been amazing this year by all reports!!


I hope that this posting finds you all well and excited for a busy Holiday season!!



I will be gathering some good "Insider" info for all of you this week on where to go for those Post-Thanksgiving tasting trips and would appreciate any tips you would like to contribute from beating the crowds to the best parties...


















Wendy Armstrong of Purple Cow Vineyards with Jay and I in the "Backyard"



Also - we have several members who are hosting winemaker dinners coming up and if you have never been to such an occasion I can assure you it is a memorable and educational event!!


I am hoping to get out more this season as my knee allows and do some more exploring - but in the meanwhile, I encourage you all to send me your pics and tasting notes as well as event info and I will post them here on the blog.

Kate, Meg and Jess with Jay and I at Tualitin Estates - Thanks for the great Day ladies!!




Peace and Grapes!!
Wayne-O

Tasting This Weekend...

Jaylin and I at Willamette Vineyards in the Tower...where we were engaged

I hope this Friday finds all my fellow Wine-O's happy, healthy and ready to get out into the Great Northwest "Teroir" and make some great tasting finds this weekend!!



Jaylin and I have been invited to come out to the "Purple Cow" Winery and Check them out. They are a small production facility in Forest Grove producing about 800 Cases oer year and have some of my favorite varietals including Tempranillo and dry muscat. I spoke with Wendy this morning and she says they are expecting large numbers out there for Wine CLub Pick-Up tomorrow, but wanted to make sure we were able to "Get Out Back" to where the real fun is so that shoudl be alot of fun.



She dosen't know it yet but I have done my research and hereis a link to their website.

http://www.purplecowvineyards.com/



Tell them you found them at NW Wine Lovers and We hope to see you there. Other planned stops will be some of our perrinial favorites such as Apolloni, David Hill, Tualitin Estates and Schafer.

We have also been invited to stop by my new friend Scott Behrens Wine Shop "The Wine Behren" in downtown Forest Grove and plan on doing just exactly that!! If you want to hook up with us there, it will likely be sometime after 2ish...

http://www.thewinebehren.com/

Right now I am hoping to make it out to Montinore on Sunday to see my long lost friend Kate, and immerse myself in one of my all time favorites..."Parsons' Ridge Pinot Noir" I have not dug into the 2006 yet, and always enjoy sampling this beautiful single vineyard Pinot at the winery . It has become a bit af a tradition for me...Sundays are great days to visit out there as they always have "Live Music fromo 1-4. I just spoke with Meg in the tasting room and she tells me that this weeks featured artist is "Gentle Rain", an acoustic jazz group. I can't wait!!

http://www.montinore.com/index.html



If we haven't met yet, I will be the Big guy at the wine bar who sounds like he knows everything...until someone who actually does know something says something...in which case I typically revert to telling off color jokes and hunting for the closest musical instrument.



Hoe to see you all along the trail and Don't forget to e-mail me your trip notes and pics at nwwinelovers@live.com so I can post here...



Looking forward to our first "Fall Crush" Trip..and hope you enjoy yours as well!!



Sip Safely,



Wayne-O





Friends don't let friends drive Drunk, Pick a DD and save a life!!

Cheers!!

I am just getting the blog going. My plans here will include notes on Mine and Jaylins tasting trips, favorite finds, neigborhood gatherings, local wine bars and notes and pics from any of the members from our facebook group they're NW wine adventures.

Shoot us an email at nwwinelovers@live.com and let us know you found us here.

Start by telling us how you found us, what area you live in, sharing any favorite wine tasting locales or stories, and which winery you would go to if you only had 1 afternoon in all of NW Wine Country.

Who Knows what could happen...?

We Look Forward to hearing from you...

Wayne-O