Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2011)
wine BY LANCE SPARKS Grateful Wines And other objects of my affection A ny country that makes a national holiday to raise collective thanks probably can’t be all bad, even if the thanks are sometimes misplaced or rather belated or fraught with a dubious materialism spiced up with vindictive malice (“Thanks for the Lexus and would You please give mine enemies genital warts? Thanks again”). Still, think about it: An entire modern industrial nation, whose military forces rampage through a hundred other nations, takes a day off work to settle accounts with a few million turkeys while raising voices in gratitude for all the good stuff — even if it could be a little more, like that Lexus could come with the walnut interior trim, but still, thanks, really, it’s nice. I mention these national thanks now, largely because during the celebrations I found myself awash in wave after wave of epiphanies of grace. Sure, I should be focusing on the upcoming holidays devoted entirely to material excess in the Name of One who taught humility and the virtues of poverty; in fact, let’s get that done: Merry Christmas, and buy more stuff, OK? Back to the thanks. Right: Thanks for the (still) breathable air and drinkable water and the bounty of the garden which is Oregon. This place, including the communities of Eugene/ Springfi eld and surrounding villages, is so beautiful it makes my pulse race just looking around. A’ight, now thanks for this fab family — great job on the grandkids, Desmond, Meagan, Brian, Olivia and Owen — even terrifi c in-laws. Thanks, too, for sweetest friends whose love and generosity is the stuff of dreams. The entire LCC community, from President Mary Spilde, Dean Susan Carkin, some of the best teachers any college could hope for, dedicated staff, to an incredible spectrum of students, a 30-year career of soul- satisfying work: endless thanks. Heartfelt thanks to the en- tire staff of Eugene Weekly. It’s been an honor to share pages with such fi ne writers, editors, production and sales crew. Somebody has to say it: Thanks to all the fervent people who comprised the Occupy movements and endured the cold and the wet, plus the slurs and insults from Tea Baggers, all in an effort to bring America back to its conscience. Studio Recording Of course, thanks to all the wonderful people who constitute the wine community: growers, vintners, pickers and harvesters, wholesalers and retailers, artists and designers, hugely talented wine-makers. You bring pleasure to thousands, with wines like these: Iris 2008 Pinot Gris ($11): Mark Nicholl, wine-maker at Sweet Cheeks, called this gris “gorgeous,” not a word he uses loosely. It’s fi rmly structured, with fl avors of pears and river rocks, fully matured, ready to drink Cowhorn 2010 Viognier ($30): Stiff ticket, right? But this is a gift wine, for somebody who has a wicked jones for Rhone-style whites. Made biodynamically (think organic to the third power) to yield fl avors true to the fruit and land, it’s a complex integration of fl avors that mimic tropical fruits, white fl owers, citrus and vanilla. Mon dieu! Welcome newcomers, Ab- STANDHARDT STUDIO HOLIDAY POTTERY SALE belone 2009 Pinot Noir Fri. Dec. 2nd 4-8pm ($18), a small producer in the shadow of Spencer Butte, making only pinot noir. Their fi rst bottling, the 2009 is deeply fruited (cherries, strawberries) with earthy notes and a blast of black pepper, very satisfying. We’re grateful to all of these, and all of you. And merry Christmas, too. ew Sat. Dec. 3rd 10-4 Sun. Dec. 4th 11-4 4875 Garnet St. Eugene info at 541-514-4646 or standhardtstudio.com “FEED YOUR CRAVINGS!” Live Mobile Recording HAPPY Mastering HOLIDAYS Media and Format Transfer Audio Restoration Quality Gear, Quality Atmosphere 541-344-0579 50% OFF ED VOT ST BE AK STE A DINNER ENTREE OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE WITH THE PURCHASE OF ONE ENTREE & TWO BEVERAGES AT REGULAR PRICE www.StudioBCD.com One Coupon Per Table | Expires Dec. 15, 2011 Not Valid With Any Other Offer GIFT CERTIFICATES MAKE THE PERFECT GIFT! BUY $100 WORTH AND RECEIVE A $20 CERTIFICATE FOR YOURSELF OPEN FOR LUNCH MON-FRI & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK • (541)683-3108 S OUTHERN AND N ORTHERN I NDIAN C UISINE EW's BEST ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET 2008-2009 L UNCH B UFFET 7 Days a Week 11:30am - 2:30pm * Dinner 5–9:30pm * 5 Years in Eugene E AT & P ARK F REE P ARKING FOR E VENTS AT M ATT K NIGHT A RENA WHEN YOU DINE WITH US * 1525 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, OR 541-343-7944 WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM * 136 SW Third • Corvallis, OR * 541-754-7944 EUGENE WEEKLY DECEMBER 1, 2011 29
