Wine
continued from page 7B
a sharp eye out for signs pointing
the way. Take note that the vine
yard’s driveway is gravelly and
strewn with potholes.
Those looking for wines other
than Pinot will be a bit disap
pointed, for that is all that is in
stock right now. Chardonnay is
available in very limited quanti
ties, which are sold out at the mo
ment. But those who relish in the
great Oregon tradition of Pinot are
in for a treat. There are several dif
ferent Gris and Noirs of various
vintages, tastes and prices that are
sure to hit home with even the
most discriminating of college
wine snobs.
Starting with the Gris: LaVelle
is currently offering two years of
Gris, a ’97 and a '98. The ’97 is
the deal of the week. For only $5
a bottle, it can’t be beat. For
those who like Gris, this is a real
treat. Because of its age, the wine
is a bit mellow, but retains a dry
acidic taste with citrus over
tones. It is not too bold, making
it perfect for drinking on its own.
I found it a lovely wine that is
made even more attractive with
its low price.
The ’98 is for those looking for a
bit more “zang” in the wine. This
one leaves its impression on the
tongue after the first sip. I found it
zestier than the ’97. This would
make a great companion to
seafood and other light-tasting
dishes. The ’98 is a bit more ex
pensive but by no means out of
reach.
I found the Noirs to be in step
with the current trend of great
Pinot Noir being produced in Ore
gon right now.
On the cheaper end of the scale
is the ’96 Susan s vineyard “es
tate” Pinot Noir. Because of its
age, this wine is mellowing and
losing some of its zest, yet has a
nice spice note and would be a
good aperitif wine. This wine is
also being discounted at $7 a bot
tle. This makes it an attractive
wine for those on a budget, as
Noir can be expensive, especially
for estate wines.
Moving up on the age scale is
the ’97 Willamette Valley Pinot
Noir, composed of Noir grapes
from the central Willamette Val
ley. This is a younger wine with
a punchier and more complex
taste than the ’96. Also at $13 a
bottle, it makes a good special
occasion wine, possibly for
Valentine’s Day.
Finally, on the upper end of
the scale, the ’98 Vintage Select
Pinot Noir is a great way to end
the tasting experience. The tast
ings are $1 apiece, yet those who
truly enjoy great Pinot wines
will want to pay the premium.
Giving flavors of blackberry and
spice, this wine is a real treat. I
highly recommend this wine, but
at $24, it may be a bit prohibitive
to some of us. It may be a good
idea to hold this one for mom
and dad for when grades come
out.
Keep in mind that LaVelle is a
little out of the way and that
drinking fine wine and driving is
never a good idea. If need be, take
time to enjoy some of the art on
Continued from page 78
PinotGris—Grown in Alsace, Ger
many, Italy and Oregon, this grape
can produce round, flavorful, dry
white wines.
Riesling—The great white wine
grape of Germany. Its good acidity
level provides flavorful, crisp wines.
Sauvignon Blanc—A white grape
grown in the Bordeaux and Loire re
gions of France as well as California,
South America and New Zealand.
The style of wine made from this
grape is herbaceous, with lively
acidity.
Semilion—Th is wh ite wine grape is
very often used in blending with the
Sauvignon Blanc grape to give the
wine more character and richness.
Source: www.seattleinsider.com
display in the art gallery just up
stairs from the tasting room. If you
can’t make it out to LaVelle, you
can always visit the tasting room
in the 5th Street Market. It offers
all the wines available at the vine
yard as well as some other inter
national selections.
Currently, the 5th Street tasting
room is offering Wines of the
World, featuring a new region
every month.
I would like to give special
thanks to LaVelle employee Mike
Peterson for his excellent tour and
samplings of “raw” wine. If you
catch him on one of his “zany”
days, it is possible to get this same
crazy tour through the nostalgic
world of craft wine making.
jm
Travis Geny Emerald
Veneta’s LaVelle Vineyards offer excellent Pinot variety wines for a comfortable price.
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