The Pacific Northwest Issue
Ready, set, pour! Me, getting ready for a wine tasting event!
Dearest subscribers, when I was completing my sommelier certification the final paper I wrote was a comparative study of Pinot Noir in the Pacific Northwest.
In it, I wrote of how the past forty years had seen a dramatic shift in consumer perception of 'new world' wines lead by the stalwart and enthusiastic work of many of its producers. New World, a term once used somewhat mockingly, refers most commonly, to wines that come from outside of Europe. The wine regions of the Pacific Northwest have storied histories of eschewing old stereotypes of new world wine production and battling to win favour in the hearts and on the palates of consumers and wine professionals alike.
Since writing this paper three years ago I've been delighted to see more and more bottles from these regions popping up on LCBO store shelves in varieties galore- from Riesling to Merlot, Chenin Blanc to Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the list goes on.
For clarity, the recognized wine-producing regions of the PNW are Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.
I got together with two of my closest girlfriends a few weeks ago to try the wines that follow. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as we did!
My typical disclaimer: if you can't find these exact wines at a store near you, I recommend trying other wines from the regions or producers listed. Please email me if you come across something special or need help choosing a wine. I am at your service!
This Merlot from Washington's Columbia Valley is produced by Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State's founding winery. Their Riesling and Chardonnay, which are also superb - have also been previously listed at the LCBO.
This wine is a showcase of everything I love about the Merlot grape - it's plump and lush with notes of plum and milk chocolate, it has a velvety smooth texture with the loveliest hints of oak and smoke. Collectively, my friends and I also noted blueberry, black cherry, and cedar.
This is a runaway steal at $21.95! I'd pick this one up for your next dinner party or serve with roast beef or roast lamb with a simple jus or even better- mushroom sauce!
This 2018 Quail's Gate Riesling lets you know, conveniently, right there on the bottle label, that it's dry. Riesling is extremely polarizing for this reason and many avoid it completely because of uncertainty about how the wine will taste.
This is a young vintage - 2018 - and it expresses itself as such. It's lively with notes of green apple, pear, white peach, and white florals. Quail's Gate is a third-generation family winery in BC's Okanagan Valley specializing in premium, terroir-driven wines. You'll find this Riesling crisp, refreshing and perhaps less acidic than Ontario or German Rieslings.
This is most certainly a sipping wine. It would also be lovely with crostini topped with ricotta, lemon zest, and thyme.
Willamette Valley Oregon has become world renown for quality Pinot Noir. Domain Drouhin, one of the pioneers of winemaking in the region have their roots in Beaune, Burgundy, home to what's referred to as 'classic old world' PN. The Drouhin marketing slogan very aptly encapsulates their approach, a mélange of old and new word: “French Soul; Oregon Soil”
Without diminishing the others, this 2016 Domain Drouhin PN was our favouite from the tasting that night. It had the classical note of sour cherry along with flavours and aromas of macerated raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, and earthy notes of cedar, tobacco flower and I also noted a slight but perceptible note of tomato vine. It's clean, smooth and has a very long finish.
Overall we found it was a very well balanced, complex, medium-bodied wine we just couldn't stop sipping! I'd pair this wine with friends as good as mine and roasted wild mushroom pappardelle!
