Northwest Whites

Seven of Hearts Chardonnay: Blends Innovation and Tradition

Ryan — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:39:52 +0000

The selection of Seven of Hearts Chardonnay that Byron Dooley creates masterfully blends the new and the old world. Continue reading →

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Disgorging Sparkling Wine @ Kramer

Ryan — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 01:55:43 +0000

This May I spent a morning with Kim Kramer and her folks at Kramer Vineyards helping them disgorge 10 cases of sparkling wine. We shot video to make a short primer on the finishing process after secondary fermentation has occurred in the bottle. Continue reading →

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Expressions of the Moment

Ryan — Wed, 25 May 2011 07:23:22 +0000

The first time I met Chris Wishart he spent a good deal of time with a towel wiping wine drips off the bar he had just recently sealed. He chuckled at his fixation and we shared a common understanding that sometimes tiny things consume us completely; things we won't care about in less than 48 hours. That fleeting obsession, though perhaps not defining of Wishart, neatly tied together the philosophy at ENSO Winery for me: every vintage is distinctive, so let the wines express that moment in time, and capture it as purely as possible. Continue reading →

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The Graceful Winemaker

Ryan — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:55:56 +0000

Though her name is supposed to mean graceful, Anne Hubatch claims to be anything but as she carefully navigates her way across the kitchen strewn with children's toys. Playing double as a home office, the open countertop bears a computer and cooking utensils. Her family, business, and life all culminate here in this space ... and somehow it just seems to work. Continue reading →

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Urban Winemaking, Rural Sauvignon Blanc

Ryan — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 02:45:47 +0000

“Don’t screw it up." This is the mantra John Grochau, owner and winemaker at Grochau Cellars, recited without hesitation when asked what his philosophy on winemaking is. Continue reading →

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No Grape Left Behind: Grüner Veltliner

Ryan — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:39:10 +0000

No on likes to be left behind. Failing education systems and team sports are one thing, but surely wine lists are entirely separate ... except, that is, for some white wines. Continue reading →

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Love Stinks

Ryan — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:07:45 +0000

The winery I work for produces a late harvest Riesling that makes me realize how wholly unappreciated dessert wines are. On any given day I can expect to encounter a visitor that claims to not like "sweet wine," and opts to skip the last taste in the flight. I can't help but think that these folks are seriously missing out because they are thinking about dessert wines in the wrong context—as something that might be sipped casually on the patio, coating the palate with sugar. Instead I like to encourage folks to think of dessert wine in a different context. And one of my favorites is in terms of blue cheese. Continue reading →

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NW White Wines in March ’11 Wine Enthusiast

Ryan — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 09:02:30 +0000

I have to say that I really love my iPad. It's probably one of the coolest gadgets I currently own, and I'm always amazed at what I can find on it. Today I was turned on to a new app: Zinio, a magazine reader. Zinio allows you to check current features in a number of popular magazines as well as letting you subscribe to and read full magazines on the gorgeous touch screen. All with the flick of a finger. Needless to say, it's pretty awesome. So what does this have to do with white wines in the Pacific Northwest? Continue reading →

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Oregon White Wines Score

Ryan — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:18:48 +0000

Recently Wine Spectator released their listing of Oregon wine scores for 2008 in their Jan 31-Feb 28, 2011 issue. 510 wines from Oregon (vintages ranging from 2005-2009) were listed, of which 110 were white wines including Albariño, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and several white blends. Continue reading →

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Wine & Food: On the Importance of Acidity

Ryan — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:41:54 +0000

You're chewing on something marvelous. A combination of flavors has entered your mouth that is interesting and new and unknown. Then someone hands you a glass of wine. Swallow. Sip. Your mind is blown. These are the moments worth living for. Continue reading →

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