25 April 2010

A NZ PALATE TASTES OREGON WINES

If there's anywhere in the world a New Zealand palate could be happier than in Oregon I would be surprised. The climate is conducive for growing Pinot. Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and, of course stunning Pinot Noir which is the predominant varietal. The state has similarities to New Zealand. Grass grows prolifically in the moist climate and almost everything grows throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

I toured the Willamette, and tasted some stunning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the boutique bio-dynamic Brick House, a mouth filling delicate Pinot Gris at the state of the art Penner Ash winery, and then enjoyed Eyrie Rose of Pinot Noir over a fabulous Italian lunch at Nick's diner in McMinville. All lovely wines.

But the highlight was the selection of outstanding Pinot Noirs served at a Wild game dinner at the Heathman Hotel. The wines came from the library stock of the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) which is held every year in July. I attended this event in 1997 and thought at that time that this could possibly be the BEST wine event anywhere in the world. (Apologies Toast Martinborough, but it is the best way a Pinot Lover could ever spend three days.) The wines we drank with our game dinner last night were sensational.

This date for year's IPNC is July 23-25 and one of the keynote wine speakers is our very own Lynette Hudson from Pegasus Bay in Waipara. I am sure she will wow the locals with her wine! Worth a trip across the Pacific I believe. Especially to taste Oregon wine.