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wine selections made simple by Sarrah Torres winestock
Ernest Hemingway said, “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world, and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection.” Here are answers to some common questions that will help you enjoy and appreciate the wines you select for a quiet dinner at home or the celebration of a special occasion. Is it true there is no right or wrong answer in food and wine pairings? With wine selections, there are no wrong answers. Keeping in mind the general rule that you should drink what you like, with food pairings it’s best to have an open mind. While we don’t eat the same foods everyday we shouldn’t drink the same wine everyday, either. Food and wine pairings can be magical and memorable, if the flavors meld and enhance one another. How do I select the correct wine for a meal that includes chicken versus beef, pork, or even a vegetarian entree? When selecting wine for a meal, you will want to think of the overall flavors, not just the protein of choice. It’s also fun and sensible to work with wines from the region where the recipe originates. If you are making a Paella, the traditional Spanish rice dish, you may want to select a hearty red wine from the Montsant or Rioja regions in Spain. If you are preparing salmon from the waters of the Pacific Northwest, you may choose a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, even a Rose’ made from Pinot Noir is an excellent choice! What is the best combination of wines for a party atmosphere, appropriate for college graduation or an engagement party? When I think of celebrating such an important occasion as a graduation or engagement, I instantly lean towards sparkling wines. Not the bulk produced
wines that give us all adverse reactions, but the hand crafted, grower sparklings made around the world. Italians call semi-sparkling wine “frizzante’s”, Moscato d’Asti is one of the most popular in this category and always a celebration in every bottle. These are appealing to everyone as they are light, delicate and low in alcohol. For a full sparkling, Champagne-style but without the Champagne pricetag, look for sparklings from other regions in France such as Alsace or Savoie or from Spain’s Cava districts. Several producers in Oregon are making excellent sparklings, J. Albin, Soter and Ecosse are notable choices along with Argyle and Meriwether. What is an appropriate after dinner wine to serve with dessert? After a meal, time is well spent lingering over a 10year tawny Port from Portugal, the drier and nuttier style of true Ports. To try something a bit more unusual, consider a vermouth or aromatized wine (“vino aromatizado” in Italy), these spicy and savory fortified wines are based on ancient recipes with over 60 ingredients infused into the wine. The intricate and intense profiles of vermouth’s will leave you incredibly satisfied after any meal.
in or around Oregon City, there are several wineries for the Locavore. Just outside our city limits, along Leland Road, is a 4-acre vineyard planted in the early 1980’s, appropriately named Leland Vineyard. Leland Pinot Noir is used by Erath Winery in Dundee who bottles this as a high-end, single-vineyard bottling. We would also recommend any of the three Pinot Noirs coming from Deux Fen Estates made by proprietors Chris and Gilian Fenner, residents of Oregon City. Across the river, in West Linn, the estate vines of Ribera Vineyards are planted on the banks of the Tualatin River, owned by Darrel and Molly Roby. Not only are they growing their own grapes, they are also working with grape varieties that require a warmer, longer growing season such as Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and much more, mostly grown in the sunny Columbia Valley. We are lucky to live in a region where world class wines are made, in addition to a bounty of food grown all year long. z Sarrah Torres and her husband Carlos own winestock, a combination wine shop and wine bar in downtown Oregon City on 9th and Main Streets. These Oregon City residents have created a space for locals to experience wine by the glass or the bottle. On April 14th, winestock will celebrate their 5-year anniversary.
As an Oregonian I want to support our Oregon wine growers. Can you recommend some nice wines to try? With over 400 wineries in Oregon, there are many, many options for supporting local producers. Living OREGON CITY AROUND TOWN
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