Oregon Wines!!!! Opinions Please!

[cpurvis]

Having lived in Oregon for 1 yr, I'm also in process re: learning 'bout Oregon wines. Here are a few random thoughts:

1)Starting with your "industry" question: Oregon wineries have sprouted like weeds in the past decade, & experimentation seems to be the m.o. of the new wineries. Best known are Willamette Valley wineries, but many believe that the best grapes are now being grown in southern Oregon (warmer climate & less rain). Oregon varietals center around pinot noir, riesling & chardonnay.

Other white varietals common to Oregon include pinot gris, pinot blanc, Gewurztraminer, & muller thurgau (a riesling - sylvaner hybrid). Other common reds are merlot & cabernet sauvignon. Some are producing zinfandel, but I would stick with California zins.

Beyond that it's a real mixed bag. For example, some are experimenting w/ Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Viognier & other varietals. A web source of basic info on the Oregon wine industry is: http://www.oregonwine.org/

2)Re: "sweet wines" I refer you back to Barnesy's comment on your last post: try some fruity reds that may be low in residual sugar. Oregon has some that qualify. In fact, you may find some pinot noirs to your liking. In addition, Foris makes a "ruby port" from pinot noir. I'll stick with ports from elsewhere, but you might like it. You might also try an Ashland Vineyards 1996 Cabernet (the current release)..it is made to be consumed young & is fruity.

Montinore Late Harvest Riesling is a sweet white readily available in grocery stores for under $10 & is a nice wine (best w/ dessert). I recommend trying it.

The Muller-Thurgau varietal is produced here as a dessert wine or "sweet" white. The distinct flavor comes from the Sylvaner part of the hybrid, making it a wine that you will clearly like or dislike. Again, typically available under $15.

Otherwise, the recs from Barnesy & Bucko are well worth trying. I also hope that CCK weighs in with more suggestions.