Sept. 9, 2020

Emma Egli

One of my favorite things about the transition from summer to fall is drinking more red wine. In the summer, I tend to stick to refreshing, acidic, light wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, dry Riesling or a crisp rosé. Here in New York, it is starting to feel like fall. In addition to the occasional cool, rainy day, the afternoons are still reasonably warm, but the mornings and evenings are chilly. It might be a little early for autumn foliage, but I swear that I have seen a few trees with yellow and red leaves. Anyway, in the early weeks of fall, I tend to drink Pinot Noir and heavier white wines like semi-dry Riesling and Gewürztraminer. They have a heavier body, umami and have some flavors similar to those on your spice rack.

Over Labor Day weekend, we enjoyed the Pinot Noir from Oregon Trails Wine Co., Willamette Valley, OR. Pinot Noir is known for having a high acid with spicy and earthy flavors, which is why it is one of my favorites for this time of year! According to the producer, it is a beautiful representation of the region and of the vintage. I have to agree; it was delightful to sip on by itself or accompanied by soft ripened goat’s milk cheese and a candied walnut. There were aromas of baking spices, tart cherry and mossy earth. It was bright on the tongue with strawberry and cherry. The spice and forest floor flavors followed through on the well-balanced finish.

Willamette Valley is one of the best regions in the world for making Pinot Noir. It is located southwest of Portland and is the largest AVA (American Viticultural Area) in the state of Oregon. Pinot Noir is one of the most difficult grapes to grow because of the thin, temperamental skin. It is an early bloomer in the spring, making it susceptible to frost and it needs a stable, cool, dry climate to reach its maximum potential. If the climate is too hot, the skin will shrivel and if it is too wet the grapes will easily develop rot. Willamette Valley has a mild climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters – perfect for Pinot Noir! Many of the vineyards are located on the Willamette River because of the stable mesoclimates that form in the valley – similar to the Finger Lakes. Since this grape is difficult to grow and often has low crop yields, Pinot Noir wines can be more expensive. They are one of my favorite varietals to drink from this region and this wine is excellent for the price!