While ch unks of America’s Midwest and East are
still shoveling sidewalks and huddling at homefires,
denizens of Western Oregon valleys have been
sucked out of their houses by the
strangely bright yellow orb in the
normally leaden sky.
and vastly under-appreciated chenin blanc
grape. Bethel Heights Vineyards (Salem
area top-shelf winery) used to make one of
the prettiest versions of this wine in the
market; sadly, they decided to take out the
vines and plant the more complex pinot
blanc — which is beautiful, but I miss the
little wine with the fresh face. Happily,
other versions are still available. The French
are still masters of this vin: Look for
Monmousseau 2001 Vouvray ($8) in
your market, and you’ll have tagged a tangy
white with aromas of flowers and green
fields, flavors of pears and green melons.
For a few pennies more, South Africa pro-
duces Kanu 2003 Chenin Blanc ($9)
that’s as charming as an adolescent who
doesn’t pretend to know it all.
Spring cannot come without pinot noir,
and no lover of the season and these wines
should miss the fact that many makers are
just now releasing reserve versions from the
fine 2002 vintage. And soon now we’ll
begin to see first releases from 2003; from
what we’ve tasted in barrels, the best of
these will bring tears of joy. Right now, two
bargains (for pinot noir) stand available: A
to Z Wineworks 2002 Pinot Noir
($17.50) is touted as “the best ... under $20;”
might be true, or close — medium body,
bright flavors of cherries and raspberries, a
touch of pepper — loverly, just loverly.
Competitive at a little less is Torii Mor
2001 Pinot Noir ($17), again medium
body, distinctive black-cherry pinot flavors
and aromas with a pleasant earthy note,
quite satisfying juice.
For many, spring marks the last days for
big reds and we really like Cline 2002
Red Truck ($9). The label alone is fun on
the table, but the wine is a big, juicy blend
of dark grapes like mourvedre and syrah,
plus others, yielding rich aromas and fla-
vors of berries and cherries, tingles of
chocolate.
Uh-oh, gotta go. Sun just broke out
again. Must plant bulbs, shallots, onions,
maybe send condolences to friends in
Maine. Cya’ll at Saturday Market!
Hahahahahahaha!
ew
CAMPUS AREA DELIVERY
TAKE OUT ★ EAT HERE
SERVING DELICIOUS NEW YORK PIZZA BY THE SLICE AND BY THE WHOLE PIZZA PIE
11:30AM-MIDNIGHT MON-SAT ★ 3:30PM-MIDNIGHT SUNDAY
$ 2.00
OFF
ANY 18” LARGE OR
16” MEDIUM PIZZA PLUS
2 FREE 20oz. SODAS
686-9598
COUPONS GOOD UNTIL
APRIL 15, 2004
10¢ OFF PLUS A SLICE
®
1 FREE 12 OZ. SODA
1211 ALDER
ON CAMPUS NEXT TO SACRED HEART HOSPITAL
Fisherman’s Market
Fantastic Seafood Entrées
Entrées change weekly.
Fresh U-Bake Sea food
Fresh Crab Dinner $10.95
Good Inexpensive Wine
Variety of Microbrews
Orders to go: 484-CRAB
7th & Blair • Open 11-8 Mon.-Sun.
APRIL 1, 2004 31