Since the 1960s, when Oregon started down the road to commercial wine production, it has developed an international reputation. The region has become synonymous with high quality Pinot Noir, the leading grape variety accounting for 60% of production, followed by Pinot Gris and Chardonnay which also produce world-class wine. Most of the wineries, which tend to be small family owned affairs, are located in the Willamette Valley where the climate can be cool and cloudy with less sunshine so usefully lengthening the growing season. American Viticultural Areas in Oregon now number over 20 – with many “nested” AVAs within the Willamette Valley itself - and can reflect significant geological differences amongst the region’s volcanic, loess, silky loam and sedimentary soils. Robert Parker Wine Advocate wine critic, Erin Brooks, says: “The best examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Oregon have the ability to express many different layers in the same glass: fruit, earth, spice and minerality. Most wines can easily be classified as either earthy or fruity. Oregon wines strike a beautiful balance between both.” It will be fascinating to see whether the often-made comparison with Burgundy holds up.
This tasting will showcase leading wines from the Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, Yamhill Carlton, Ribbon Ridge and Willamette Valley AVAs. The wines to be presented are:
The Eyrie Vineyard, Pinot Gris, Original Vines 2017 (Dundee Hills)
Domaine Drouhin, Cuvée Arthur Chardonnay 2016 (Dundee Hills)
Walter Scott, Seven Springs Chardonnay 2017 (Eola-Amity Hills)
Domaine Drouhin, Pinot Noir, 2016 (Dundee Hills)
Roco, Gravel Road Pinot Noir 2015 (Willamette Valley)
Shea Wine Cellars, Estate Pinot Noir 2016 (Yamhill Carlton)
Brick House, Evelyn’s Pinot Noir 2015 (Ribbon Ridge)
Walter Scott, Seven Springs Pinot Noir 2017 (Eola-Amity Hills)
We are delighted to welcome Linda Jotham MW, a leading educator, wine consultant and judge, with a specialisation in wines from Oregon, and who selected all the wines we will taste, to present these wines.
Tickets for this tasting are priced at £65 for members and £75 for guests. If you are using the Society's website to purchase tickets for the first time, you are encouraged to register so as to make future ticket purchases even easier. The Society operates a free seating policy at tastings so if you are coming as a group please arrive early to ensure seats together.
If you have any questions, please contact the organiser, Mervyn Parry on mervyn@theparrys.eclipse.co.uk.