The leaves have changed to beautiful golden colors and can now be seen drifting to the ground. Those fabulous long summer days are behind us and the temperatures now require sweatshirts, hats, and those long-forgotten things called gloves. There’s no getting around it - Fall is in full swing and Winter is around the corner.
What does that mean in terms of wine? Well, many of us enjoy a nice crisp glass (or, bottle!) of rosé or white wine during the warmer months. But, this is the time of year for bigger and fuller wines that will warm you up on chilly evenings. Red wine lovers rejoice; this column is dedicated to you!
One of my recently discovered favorite wines is Lujon “Walla Walla” Cabernet Sauvignon. Lujon’s winemaker, John Derthick, graduated from UC-Davis in 1999 and moved to Beaverton a few years ago to begin his winery – and you will be glad he did. This full-bodied cabernet is made with Walla Walla fruit and has wonderful aromas of cherry, black currant, and anise. As you drink this, you taste flavors of vanilla and cocoa, in addition to the fruit. This wine has a big mouthfeel and a long finish, which comes from the 14.8% alcohol content. When I first tasted this wine in May, I was immediately impressed and invited John to pour his wines in The Wine Shack’s Tasting Room as part of our Summer Winery Series. This wine is starting to get some attention as it recently received 90 points from Wine Spectator.
When you think cold weather wines, most people think about Cab Sauv, Merlot, and Syrah. Although Zinfandel doesn’t typically come to mind, I think its higher alcohol content makes it a perfect wine for cold and rainy nights. Simply put, get your pajamas on, have a glass of Zin, and you will be headed towards a lovely long winter’s nap (or, more realistically, a good night’s sleep).
When you’re talking Zinfandel in Oregon, Angel Vine is a big winner in my book. While most Oregon wineries focus on Pinot Noir, Angel Vine’s focus is on Zinfandel. Located in Carlton, Angel Vine makes several single vineyard Zins, a Primitivo (a close relative to Zinfandel), and a couple of nice Zin-Primitivo blends. Yes, they also make a delicious Pinot Noir, but my favorite of theirs is the Angel Vine “Columbia Valley” Zinfandel. It’s a complex wine that delivers aromas and flavors of dark fruit and chocolate, with a subtle smokiness. How amazing does that sound? This Zin checks in at a 15.2% alcohol content, which will certainly take the chill off the evening. While I usually enjoy a nice glass of Zinfandel with grilled foods, this one would also pair nicely with rich, chocolate desserts. Angel Vine visited The Wine Shack’s Tasting Room in September, and customers were in heaven (pun intended).
How about a nice glass of Port to end the evening? Port is a “fortified wine” with an alcohol content that is significantly higher than your typical table wine (20% versus 13%). If you visit The Wine Shack, then you know I’m a big fan of Quinta do Noval, Noval Black. This delicious wine is straight from Portugal, and because it’s so good, I often have a bottle open behind the counter and offer customers a taste when they come in. “No thanks,” they say, “I don’t like Port.” Now, I’m of the belief that if you come into The Shack and I offer you a free taste of wine, you need to open your mind and give it a try. Trust me! It’s fun watching the transformation and seeing them head out the door with a bottle! This isn’t your grandpa’s dark and brooding Port. Instead, this ruby Port has flavors of cherry and blackberry, with light acidity. Noval Black is nice on its own, but to get its fullest expression, you should pair this Port with brownies or fudge. If I haven’t convinced you yet, consider this: Noval Black received 90 points from both The Wine Advocate and Wine & Spirits Magazine!
For you white wine lovers who long for the sunny and warmer days of summer, don’t fret too much. You can probably succeed in making a nicely oaked Chardonnay your cold weather companion. When a Chardonnay is aged in oak, it develops a full mouthfeel and typically creamy, buttery flavors that combine to give a savory richness to the wine. If that’s too much “wine speak gobbley gook” for you, I apologize. Let’s just say this….slightly oaked Chardonnay is delish! I enjoy L’ Ecole Columbia Valley Chardonnay, 2012. This Chardonnay offers flavors of apple and tropical fruit with a nice creamy richness. This style of Chardonnay pairs nicely with fondue, dishes with a cream sauce, chicken, and Caesar salads. L’Ecole’s 2012 Chardonnay has received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
So, as we work our way through the stormy days of fall, you now have several new wines to try. Embrace the opportunity to try a Cabernet Sauvignon from an up-and-coming local winery, a Zinfandel from an Oregon winery NOT focused on Pinot Noir, a new style of Port, or a white wine, when the calendar says it’s red wine season. Who knows, you may find a new favorite.
If you can’t make it into The Shack for the tasting, you can find these wines, and more, for sale on our website, www.beachwine.com. Several of the wines in this column contain higher than normal alcohol levels, so please enjoy them in moderation.
