Category Archives: Oregon Wines

Wines of the Week: May 6-12

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Were a genie to appear and grant me one wine-y wish, I would ask for an unlimited supply of DRC. But if it were narrowed to being about the wine world, I would opt for a proliferation of lesser-known white European grapes … Continue reading →

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Mark Vlossak, unleashed

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Bill Ward

Mark Vlossak is whip-smart and quip-prone. He’s incisive and insightful. So when the conconter of all those delicious St. Innocent whites and pinot noirs opens up, a writer is best off getting out of the way. We had a wonderful lunch together recently, and … Continue reading →

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Vintage Burgundy, offbeat zins, wine on tap and more

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Bill Ward

A few discoveries from recent vinous gatherings: • Washington vintners are taking California’s “state grape” to some interesting places. I thoroughly enjoyed two fascinating zinfandels from the Evergreen State: the “Howling Wolfe” from Thurston Wolfe and the new Two Vintners Stone Tree … Continue reading →

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Pinot gris/grigio recommendations

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Bill Ward

If there were a Cliché Dictionary, it would have a photo of pinot gris/grigio next to “you get what you pay for.” It is exceedingly difficult to find really good inexpensive renditions of this increasingly popular grape. In compiling this recommendations roundup, … Continue reading →

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Pinot gris/grigio: A primer

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bill Ward

As with most grapes, anyone who says “I don’t like pinot gris/grigio” doesn’t really know what he or she is talking about/saying. What they probably mean is that they don’t like the type of pinot gris/grigio they have encountered, perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, California Wines, Italian Wines, Oregon Wines | 3 Comments

Wines of the Week: Dec. 10-16

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Hello, old friend. One of my first merlot discoveries came from Benziger, but as I explored the ever-widening world of wine, I kind of forgot about it. A recent sample of the 2008 Benziger Sonoma County Merlot ($16) showed me what I had … Continue reading →

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Winemaker profile: David Polite

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Bill Ward

Sometimes, it’s best not to listen to the experts, no matter how much you respect them. Or maybe to listen to them only a little bit. When David Polite bought some east-facing slopes in the Willamette’s Eola-Amity Hills region in … Continue reading →

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Shea hey, kids

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Bill Ward

Ever since I fell in love with pinot noirs emanating from Oregon’s Shea Vineyard, I had wanted to hold a Shea tasting, to gather as many wines from as many wineries as we could find and see how they match … Continue reading →

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Profile: Mark & Pattie Bjornson, Bjornson Vineyard

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Bill Ward

If you didn’t know that Pattie and Mark Björnson were from Minnesota, a few minutes’ conversation would make it apparent. They’re exceedingly nice, smart and serious about ecology and about their work, earnest without any of that self-importance thing. They also … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Aug. 6-12

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I have a new favorite white grape. (I’m rather fickle that way.) It’s godello, and it finds phenomenal expression in the A Coroa Valdeorras Godello. At $19, this one barely ekes in under the “Occasion” category, and it certainly would fit with a great … Continue reading →

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