Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009

Woehler on Wine: Three Rivers Winery

By Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest tasting editor

WALLA WALLA -- Three Rivers Winery of Walla Walla offers an appealing list of bargain wines for $20 and under, plus an opportunity to save another 25 percent per bottle by joining its wine club.

For price-conscious consumers, many wineries offer wine clubs that give members not only discount prices but also special bottlings and opportunities for special tastings and events.

You can join a winery's club by visiting in person or on the Web.

Generally, members agree to purchase two or three bottles of wine at a time shipped to their address. Payment is by credit card when the wine is shipped, generally three to four times a year.

Discounts generally range from 10 percent up to 25 percent.

I reviewed seven bargain wines from Three Rivers. All of their wines, including a $50 Syrah, qualify for the 25 percent discount.

The price listed in brackets reflects the 25 percent discount.

2007 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, [$14.25] $19 -- Crisp and smooth with good citrus and banana aromas and flavors. Good as a conversation white wine for company.

2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, [$14.25] $19 -- Food-friendly with fresh lemony characteristics. Oysters, anyone?

2007 Riesling, Columbia Valley, [$14.25] $19 -- Floral and inviting peach aromas and flavors in a semi-sweet wine with 3 percent residual sugar. Try it with grilled brats.

2007 late harvest Gewurztraminer, Walla Walla Valley, [$11.50] $15 -- This is for a half-sized bottle. Honey, tropical fruit and grapefruit aromas and flavors. Goes with a cheese cake.

2007 Rivers Red, Columbia Valley, [$11.25] $15 -- Seven red grape varieties go into this, creating perfumy aromas of cherries and a smooth cherry finish. Match it with barbecued ribs.

2006 Merlot, Columbia Valley, [$14.25] $19 -- Berry and chocolate make flavors this an excellent match with pizza.

2006 Syrah, Columbia Valley, [$14.25] $19 -- Come-drink-me aromas lead to nice oak and bing cherry overtones. Try it with roast pork loin in bing cherry sauce.

On the Web at www.threeriverswinery.com.

* Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.