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I've spoken to a half-dozen winemaker in the past two days and asked each how the grapes were looking. I heard a lot of long sighs followed by concerns about when - or if - the grapes would ever ripen in the Northwest.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ operating profit rose 30 percent to $14.8 million in the second quarter, according to a securities filing by its Connecticut-based parent company, UST.
This week: Ponzi Vino Gelato, Quilceda perfect again, wine hall of fame to honor Stan Clarke, Oregon grape glut, wine list competition, Columbia Crest's silver anniversary, Wine Knows blog.
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July 8, 2008
Vol. 9, No. 28
Wine Press Northwest's Wine of the Week is an independent opinion based on double- and single-blind tastings.
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Ponzi Vineyards 2006 Vino Gelato
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Second-generation winemaker Luisa Ponzi froze Early Muscat grapes (60%) and Riesling from Alloro and estate vineyards respectively, then built something beautiful. The pungent nose of apricots, honey, jasmine and lychee is met by more honey and apricot flavors, figs, quince paste and tangerine acidity that skillfully balances the residual sugar (14%). Rated "Outstanding" by Wine Press Northwest magazine.
Price: $30.
Cases produced: 212.
Food matches: Pair with ricotta cheesecake topped with fresh berries.
Ponzi Vineyards, 14665 SW Winery Lane, Beaverton, OR 97007, 503-628-1227, http://www.ponzivineyards.com
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-- Novelty Hill 2005 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley
-- Hogue Cellars 2007 Riesling, Columbia Valley
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-- David Hill Winery & Vineyard 2006 Estate Sweet Simplicity, Willamette Valley, $10
-- Claar Cellars 2005 White Bluffs Cab-Merlot, Columbia Valley, $13
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The Ponzis are pioneers in every sense of the word. Dick and Nancy Ponzi moved to Oregon in the 1960s, bought 20 acres and began planting Pinot Noir in 1970. Four years later, they launched the winery with four barrels of wine.
In 1984, they started BridgePort Brewing Co., which today is Oregon's oldest operating craft brewery (though no longer owned by the Ponzis). A decade ago, they opened the Ponzi Wine Bar in Dundee, then the Dundee Bistro next door in 1999.
Second-generation winemaker Luisa Ponzi studied in Burgundy before moving back to Oregon to work in the family business.
Today, Ponzi is recognized not only for its longevity, but also its constant innovation and superb wines.
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The Wine Advocate has awarded Quilceda Creek Vintners of Snohomish, Wash., a perfect 100 points for its 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the third 100 - and the third in the past four years. Doug Charles, owner of Compass Wines in Anacortes, Wash., points out that this is the first winery in the world to claim such a feat using Bordeaux varieties.
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This weekend, the Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame will induct Stan Clarke, the longtime viticulturist, winemaker and educator who died unexpectedly last fall.
I will have the honor of playing the role of master of ceremonies during the event in Prosser, Wash.
Stan was recognized this winter with a lifetime achievement award by the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. If you would like to attend Saturday's gala, go to http://www.walterclore.com
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An article last week in The Oregonian took on the question of whether there is a coming grape glut in Oregon. Bill Hatcher, owner of A to Z, believes the state is going to see a grape glut, while David Adelsheim and Dick Shea do not.
Oregon grape production has steadily increased since the movie "Sideways" came out, taking advantage of the public's sudden thirst for Pinot Noir. At the same time, Oregon's Pinot Gris production has risen dramatically.
Oregon produces far less wine that California, Washington or New York. In fact, Columbia Crest makes more wine than the all of Oregon.
One issue is that with our nation's current economic downturn, luxury items tend to be purchased with less frequency - and wine, especially that over $20 per bottle, is seen as a luxury. Already, many wine shops are reporting a dramatic slowdown in sales of bottles over $20.
Currently, Oregon wineries are selling their wine almost as quickly as they can bottle it. Such sales could become more difficult for all Northwest wineries as wine lovers look for better bargains.
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It's time for us to judge the 10th annual Great Northwest Wine Lists Competition.
If you run a restaurant, send a PDF of your wine list to edegerman@winepressnw.com or send a hard copy to:
Great Northwest Wine Lists 333 W Canal Dr Kennewick, WA 99336
Deadline is July 18.
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A couple of weeks ago, the Northwest's largest winery celebrated its first quarter century in operation. Wine Press Northwest Managing Editor Eric Degerman attended the festivities and caught up with Doug Gore (director of winemaking), Juan Munoz Oca (red winemaker), Kay Simon (Chinook Wines) and Bob Woehler (Wine Press Northwest) to talk about the history of the winery.
You can watch the Northwest Winecast two ways (both free):
On our Web site:
http://www.winepressnw.com/video/vodcast/
On YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/WinePressNW
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The Wine Knows, Wine Press Northwest's blog, is getting updated almost daily (and sometimes more than daily). Recent highlights include:
-- Happy Independence Day
-- More perfection for Quilceda Creek
-- Vineyards still catching up
-- Bridgewater Bistro emerges as great Northwest destination
-- Thin to win
-- And more.
Be sure to check out the blog daily to read updates on the Northwest wine scene. If you are into RSS feeds, you can easily get blog updates throughout the week.
http://community.winepressnw.com
If you are into RSS feeds, you can easily get blog updates.
The URL for the RSS feed is:
http://community.winepressnw.com/node/feed
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OREGON WINE CLUB
The finest Oregon wines at your doorstep every month. Call to join or order wine gifts.
http://www.OregonWineClub.net
1-800-WINE CLB
Wine@OregonWineClub.net
The WINE LOFT
401 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia, WA 98501. Tues.-Fri. 11-6; Sat. 11-5.
360-754-6208
http://www.wineloftoly.com
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