Oregon pinot gris satisfies on all levels 11Aug2
Oregon pinot gris satisfies on all levels
Paul Gregutt
Wine columnist Paul Gregutt says that with a history stretching back almost 50 years, it seems a little odd that Oregon winemakers would still be searching for a way to make pinot gris a standout, signature grape.
A FEW WEEKS ago I was the featured speaker at an all-day symposium on Oregon pinot gris. It was hosted by Oak Knoll winery and organized by fellow blogger Jo Diaz. The focus on pinot gris was inspired partly by a perceived need for a signature white wine to go with pinot noir, and partly by a sense that much of what is out in the marketplace could be better if pinot gris could command higher prices.
Attendees at the symposium round table I led included roughly three dozen growers and winemakers, a number of speakers with expertise in viticulture, enology and marketing, and a half-dozen members of the media.
I set out to define some of Oregon pinot gris’ overriding assets — assets that would bridge a wide range of styles. I’ve tasted hundreds of these wines over the years, and in preparation for the symposium tasted several dozen more, from a range of vintages. I came away from these tastings more impressed than ever with the style and potential of this wine.
Among its strengths are:
• Higher acidity and lower alcohol than most domestic versions
• Bracing minerality; an underlying sense of wet stone flavors
• Purity of fruit
• Minimal or no new oak flavors
This brief summary nonetheless touches on almost every important trend among both young wine drinkers and restaurant wine buyers. White wines that ripen at lower alcohol levels, that reflect fruit and vineyard flavors rather than new barrel flavors, and that complement a wide variety of regional foods are in vogue. Pinot gris does all of the above.
The grape was pioneered in Oregon. In an interview some years ago with the late David Lett, he explained that he had “brought pinot gris up to Oregon with me in 1964; 160 cuttings taken from the only four vines they had at UC Davis.”
Why pinot gris?
“Because they fit the theory of planting early-ripening varieties in the Willamette Valley,” he replied. “Oregon had the cool growing season; the idea was to adapt the grapes to the climate.”
With a history stretching back almost 50 years, it seems a little odd that Oregon winemakers would still be searching for a way to make pinot gris a standout, signature grape. But as has happened in California with riesling and in Washington with chenin blanc, the marketplace rules. Buyers (so far at least) won’t pay more than $15 for a bottle of pinot gris, so growers must overcrop and vintners must cut corners where they can. The amazing thing is that so many of these wines are as good as they are.
In them you will find flavors crisply defined, with fruits running the gamut from citrus through tree fruits and on into tropical. They are acidic without being lean, and that bracing minerality gives the wines texture and life. These are wines made to be drunk young; my impression is that almost without exception they should be consumed within three or four years of the vintage date.
My favorites among the recent releases are listed here (note that you may need to contact the wineries directly to purchase many of these wines):
David Hill 2010 Estate Pinot Gris; $15
Pudding River 2010 Pinot Gris; $16
Wy’East 2010 Pinot Gris; $18
Lange 2010 Reserve Pinot Gris; $22
Lange 2010 Pinot Gris; $16
Terrapin Cellars 2010 Pinot Gris; $13
Left Coast Cellars 2009 The Orchards Pinot Gris; $16
Oak Knoll 2008 Pinot Gris; $14.
Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/wineadviser/2015597208_pacificpadviser24.html
Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.
This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.
Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.
Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:
http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com
While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
A Well-known Restaurant in Pampnga, an interesting place to celebrate Birthday Party in Pampnga.
A best place to dine with friends in Pampanga
www.YatsRestaurant.com
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion
www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
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