In the Spirit: Discovering Oregon's Famed Pinots

Spring has sprung and you may be searching for that perfect beverage for the milder weather. As it happens, May is Oregon Wine Month, so EDGE wants to drop a little "Oregon Wine 101" knowledge on you so you can celebrate no matter where you may be located.

The Pacific Northwest state of Oregon has been officially making wine since the 1800s but it wasn't until the mid 1970s and introduction of modern techniques that the state started to make a name for itself, just as California was doing around the same time. The beginning of that can be linked to a few independent and influential winemakers convincing themselves that the Willamette (rhymes with dammit) Valley, which stretches more than 100 miles south of Portland, had some ideal climate and soil conditions to grow one of the most temperamental and difficult grapes to cultivate into a wine of good repute: pinot noir.

Oregon's pinot style is typically lighter and earthier than its bolder California sibling and has a touch more cranberry notes than its French Burgundian counterpart. There is a variation of styles to be found depending on things such as microclimate weather, soil, and the winemaker's personal style, but the impressive quality of pinot noirs coming out of Oregon cannot be denied.

If you prefer white wines, you're in luck because Oregon also makes pinot gris, another pinot family member. Technically a grey grape (hence the name gris or grey in French), pinot gris is often delivers a cheery, fresh wine. Again, compared to one of its light and bright European counterparts, pinot grigio from Italy, Oregon pinot gris tends to have a touch fuller and richer fruit taste while still being dry and balanced on the palate.

Wine Words From the Wise

EDGE recently did some on-site investigating to scope out what makes these wines so special at Oregon Wines on Broadway (OWOB) in the heart of the Beaver State's largest city, Portland. This gem of a place is where you can try dozens of wine on tap, mostly pinot noir from... well... Oregon. If you can't decide on just one, you can select a flight such as "Where's the Beef?" -- trio of bolder reds. The owner of OWOB is the do-it-all Kate Bolling who is knowledgeable, convivial and easy going with her customers.

And who better to answer a few questions about Oregon wine and pinot noir than Kate herself?

EDGE: What are the origins or Oregon Wines on Broadway?
Kate Bolling: The store was started by Doreen Waite about 21 years ago, it was then sold to St. Innocent Winery who hired me on as a real wine novice but I had service industry experience. I purchased the store from St. Innocent about eight months after being hired.

EDGE: Why are pinot noir and pinot gris the flagship grapes of Oregon?
KB: It's based on the geographical similarity [the 45th parallel north also intersects similar wine-growing regions in France] and vines that were planted here by wine pioneers David Lett, Dick Erath, and Dick Ponzi, to mention a few.

EDGE: How would you compare Oregon pinot noir versus Burgundy and Sonoma?
KB: I think Burgundy varies quite a bit more than our wines do. Their vine age is older and there is more focus on sight specific bottling. Sonoma County wines (I have limited experience) are usually -- in my opinion -- bigger, more fruit forward and softer.

EDGE: What other grape varieties are being produced that you see doing well in Oregon?
KB: If you are being specific to the Willamette Valley I would say riesling, sauvignon blanc, and muscadet. There are some plantings of nebbiolo as well that might have some promise. If you mean the entire state we have lots of possibilities as southern Oregon and the gorge have more heat to produce Bordeaux varietals and grapes that require more heat.

Want some recommendations for your personal wine rack? Here are EDGE's top picks of Oregon pinot noir and pinot gris. These current release selections provide a range of prices and styles from some of the finest quality producers in the region. It's a great way for you to put together your own Oregon wine tasting and see for yourself how delicious these wines can be.

Adelsheim Vineyards
2013 Ribbon Springs Pinot Noir, $75

Stoller Estates
2014 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, $30

Yamill Valley Vineyards
2013 Estate Pinot Noir, $18

Oak Knoll Winery
2013 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, $14

Montinore Estate
2014 Roulette Pinot Gris, $25

Eyrie Vineyards
2014 Original Vines Pinot Gris, $40

Special shout out to a fabulous ros� made from pinot noir!
Beckham EstateVineyard
2015 Olivia's Pinot Noir Ros�, $20