Why white wine?
So I have to admit that while I enjoy exploring wine of all kinds from around the world, I really enjoy white wines. They are often refreshing, will pair easily with many foods (especially being a vegetarian and someone who loves eating), are generally easy to drink, and, dammit, I love sparkling!
Living in Oregon I am surrounded by some of the best Pinot Noir produced in America, no doubt the world given time. Just across the Columbia River in Washington they’re producing killer Syrah and Cabs. And let’s not forget the up and coming reds from British Columbia or Idaho’s sole AVA.
Red wine is wonderful, and the Pacific Northwest does not lack in stellar examples. That said, the northwest is also home to countless excellent white wines, however they don’t get nearly the attention many of the reds do. Northwest Whites will give exclusive attention to the many fantastic white wines being produced in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Idaho. (Yes, they really do make wine in Idaho!)
However you feel about white wines—love them, hate them, or confused by them—I hope you will enjoy exploring and learning about the wines, wineries, regions, and people that appear on the site. There is always something more to learn in life and wine alike.
What’s with the red grapes?
I expect some people will give me flack for using a photo of red/purple grapes on a site dedicated to white wines. However, the grapes that appear in the header of Northwest Whites are actually Pinot Gris grapes which appear pink or purple in color. When the grapes are pressed for wine, the skins are discarded immediately to avoid adding any color to the wine.
Who am I?
Having grown up in the midwest, I followed my passion for wine to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Always the explorer seeking to learn more, I have travelled around the United States, through France, Spain, and Italy. I hold the Advanced certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, am certified as a Spanish Wine Educator, and am pursuing my sommelier credentials with the Court of Master Sommeliers. I am also the managing editor for Palate Press: The Online Wine Magazine and contribute to several other print and online publications. You can also read about my experiences in wine, food, and travel on my personal website, RyanReichert.com.
