Events
American Brasserie Wine Competition
On June 10th and 11th, 2010, members of the Oregon Wine Brotherhood Cellar Committee , spouses and other volunteers blind-tasted 246 currently available Oregon Pinot Noirs in one of the largest tastings of Oregon pinots which has ever been conducted. The purpose was to select wines for the wine list of a new restaurant, Pinot - An American Brasserie, which will open August 2 in Portland. All local wine distributors and members of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association were invited to submit wines for the tasting. Twenty people at a time tasted and rated the wines in flights of 10 wines.The result: An all-star list of 36 top-notch, jury selected Oregon Pinot Noirs that will debut when the restaurant opens on August 2, 2010. One hundred twenty three wineries (123) were represented in the tasting . It is a tribute to the depth and breadth of winemaking in Oregon that there were so many excellent wines submitted that the tasters had a very difficult time selecting the recommended top 60. The final 36 were selected from the recommended list to provide a comprehensive range of vintages and price points for the restaurant's Pinot Noir list. OWB member Bill King , formerly of McCormick and Schmick, is the principal owner of the new brasserie.
“We sent out a ‘Call for Pinot’ to all Oregon wineries in May, and were thrilled with the enthusiastic response,” says Bill King, Executive Chef/Partner of Pinot American Brasserie and longtime Brotherhood member. “The restaurant is honored to tap into the Brotherhood’s expertise, and bring some added excitement to our Pinot Noir selection.”
The three top scoring Pinot Noirs from the tasting were: Rex Hill 2006 Reserve, Sineann 2008 Schindler Vineyard and Stoller 2007 JV Estate.
Following is an alphabetical list of the final 36 wines selected. The SRP figure is either taken from the winery website, or is a guideline to what you may expect at your local re-sellers, but prices do change, so these figures should be considered as guideline. The R means that this wine is available only to the resturant trade and cannot be found in the retail channels of wine distribution.
| WINERY | VINTAGE | WINE | SRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMITY VINEYARDS | 2008 |
WILLAMETTE VALLEY | $22.00 |
| BETHEL HEIGHTS | 2008 |
ESTATE | $30.00 |
| CARABELLA VINEYARD | 2005 |
INCHINNAN | $54.00 |
| CARABELLA VINEYARD | 2006 |
CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS | $39.00 |
| DEL RIO VINEYARDS | 2008 |
ROGUE VALLEY | $28.00 |
| DEPONTE CELLARS | 2007 |
DUNDEE HILLS | $38.00 |
| DEWEY KELLY | 2006 |
ESTATE | $24.00 |
| DOBBES FAMILY | 2006 |
CUVEE NOIR | $52.00 |
| DOMINIO IV | 2007 |
RAIN ON LEAVES | $32.00 |
| EDENVALE WINERY | 2005 |
ESTATE | $28.00 |
| ELK COVE | 2008 |
RESERVE | $100.00 |
| EMINENT DOMAINE | 2008 |
WILLAKIA VINEYARD | $32.00 |
| ERATH VINEYARD | 2006 |
LELAND | $50.00 |
| FOUR HEATHENS | 2006 |
PETE'S MOUNTAIN | $36.00 |
| HAWKS VIEW | 2008 |
HAWKS VIEW | $35.00 |
| J ALBIN | 2006 |
LAUREL VINEYARD RESERVE | $52.50 |
| JOVINO | 2008 |
OREGON | R |
| LUMINOUS HILLS | 2008 |
YAMHILL-CARLETON | $28.00 |
| MEDICI VINEYARDS | 2003 |
BLOCK I & II | $30.00 |
| MEDICI VINEYARDS | 2004 |
EAST BLOCK | $28.00 |
| METHVEN FAMILY VINEYARDS | 2007 |
CITIZEN'S CUVEE | $22.00 |
| PONZI | 2008 |
TAVOLA | $25.00 |
| RED HAWK WINERY | 2008 |
ESTATE | $22.00 |
| REX HILL | 2006 |
RESERVE | $42.00 |
| REX HILL | 2008 |
WILLAMETTE VALLEY | $28.00 |
| SEUFERT WINERY | 2007 |
VISTA HILLS VINEYARD | $35.00 |
| SINEANN | 2008 |
SCHINDLER | $42.00 |
| SINEANN | 2008 |
RESONANCE | $42.00 |
| SOLENA | 2006 |
DOM. DANIELLE LAURENT | $45.00 |
| STOLLER VINEYARDS | 2006 |
SV ESTATE | $40.00 |
| STOLLER VINEYARDS | 2007 |
JV ESTATE | $25.00 |
| STONY MOUNTAIN | 2005 |
MCMINNVILLE | $27.00 |
| TERRA VINA | 2008 |
LA FAMIGLIA | $30.00 |
| VIRIDIAN | 2007 |
WILLAMETTE VALLEY | $13.99 |
| VISTA HILLS | 2008 |
ESTATE ROLLINS | $44.00 |
| Z'IVO WINES | 2006 |
EOLA-AMITY HILLS AVA | $32.00 |
The Commander's Coffee
Each January, prospective new members, sponsored by members in good standing, are introduced to the officers at an informal meeting at a host member’s home. Although some coffee is usually available, the primary beverage is sparkling wine.
The Grand Assemblage
Held in April of each year, this is the premier event of the brotherhood. A black tie dinner and a formal ceremony with full regalia and colors highlight the weekend event. Prospective new members who survive the test of water and wine are knighted into the order under the sword of the Grand Commander.
Annual Barrel Tasting and Picnic
Each Fall, a member winery hosts this event to celebrate the harvest and most recent vintage of Oregon or Washington wines. The brotherhood provides the wine and the setting and members enjoy a delicious picnic at an all-day event. A gourmet meal is served but the highlights of the day are a silent auction of rare wines donated by members and an oral auction of wonderful items, trips and dinners which provide funding for the Oregon Wine Brotherhood Scholarship Program. Members are encouraged to bring guests to the event. It is an opportunity for prospective new members to learn about the organization and meet current members.
The International
The 2010 International Meeting of the FICB opens in Budapest, Thursday, 20 May and ends Monday, 24 May. 20 members of the OWB attented this conference. The conference was outstanding and our Hungarian hosts outdid them selves. The higlights stared at the Wines of the World when attendees croweded around our table to get their hands on the 2007 Stoller that is mentioned in the table above. It is always rewarding to see our French compatriots lap up our great Oregon Pinot Noir. Many friendships were renewed and many more made at this event. We cannot wait for the next International in Portugal in 2012.
Vintner's Dinners
The spring 2010 Vintner’s Dinner, A Culinary Journey through Hungary, was a great success. Our hosts Bob Schmieg, Kimberly Krajchir, Joe and Susan Huseonica did an outstanding job. We were greeted with a great selection of Hungarian wines and a spread of starters. And the wonderful aroma of kobalz and other great hand made sausages roasting in the oven.
First the wine list.
Hungarian wines are hard to find in the Northwest, but Joe Huseonica has his sources. The following wines all came from Blue Danube Wine Company in Los Altos, CA
Szoke Mátyás, Királyleányka, Mátraalja 2007
Patricisu, Tokaji Furmint, Tokaj 2008
Pfneiszi, Kekfrankos Sopron 2007
Attila Gere, Portugieser, Villány 2008
Attila Gere, Cabernet Sauvignon Villáy 2007
Attila Gere, Kopar, Villáy 2006
Particisu Leonis Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos, Tokaj 2004
These just wheted our appetites for the International in May.
The menu for the evening consisted of:
| Hungarian | English |
Majkrem vagy Magyar Kenomajas |
Chopped Chicken Liver |
| Körözött Juhturo | Spicy Ewe Cheese Spread |
| Májas Hurka | Liver and Rice Sausage |
| Tejfeles Uborkasalata | Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream |
| Töltöttt Paprikas | Paprika Stuffed Peppers |
| Töltött Kospaszta | Stuffed Cabbage |
| Csirke Paprikás-Nokedli Levesnek | Chicken Paprikas with Dumplings |
| Szekely Diszno Gulyas-Nudli Egytaklak | Pork Goulash with Noodles |
| Krumpli Lángos | Potato Pancakes |
| Kolbasz | Pork Sausage |
Tasting Groups
There are numerous small tasting groups, usually composed of six couples, who meet at each other’s homes and host a special tasting of wines from throughout the world. These events provide an opportunity for members to learn more about the wines of the world and get to know other members of the brotherhood.
OWB Cellar Committee
Each tasting group appoints a representative to the OWB Cellar Committe which is chaired by the Cellar Master. The Cellar Committee is responsible for selecting wines for our cellar which are used for all Brotherhood functions. Each meeting of the Cellar Committee has specific guidelines for the wines to be tasted - region, type and price. The reds go into the cellar and will be designated by the Cellar Master for use at a specific function. White wine tastings typically occur two or three months in advance of an event. We focus on wines of the Pacific Northwest for our events. The most recent gathering of the Committee had as its target the white wine to be served with a Dungeness Crab Bisque at the Spring 2010 Assemblage. The tasting produced a clear winner, Dominio IV 2008 Viognier. Two wines, the Chehelem 2008 3 Vineyard Pinot Gris and Walnut City Wineworks 2007 Viognier tied for second place.
In addition to these three wines, the wines listed below were evaluated. It is worth noting that this tasting was considered one of the toughest tastings in recent memory. All of the wines were more than acceptable. J. Scott 2008 Rousanne, Cancilla 2008 Chardonnay, Bergstrom NV White, Elk Cove 2006 Pinot Gris, 2008 Dr. Bergstrom Reisling, Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay (a ringer to see how consistent we were), Domaine Drouhin 2007 Arthur Chardonnay, and Lange 2008 Reserve Pinot Gris.
The Cellar
Pinot Noir
Broadley 2003 Willamette Valley
Penner Ash 2005 Willamette Valley
Patricia Green 2006 Yamhill Valley
Stoller 2006 Dundee Hills Willamette Valley
Brickhouse 2003 Cuvee Tonnelier
Carabella 2003
De Ponte 2005 Dundee Hills
Ana 2006 Reserve
Quercus Harmonia 2007 Willamette Valley*
Elk Cove 2006 Willamette Valley
* Brand no longer available on the market
Heavy Reds
Five Star Cellars Merlot 2005 Washington
Walter Flore 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Owen Roe 2006 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Abeja 2006 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Northstar 2003 Merlot Walla Walla
Reininger 2003 Syrah Walla Walla
Cougar Crest 2003 Estate Reserve, Walla Walla
Whitman Cellars Meritage Narcissa, Walla Walla
Five Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Walla Walla
Desert Wind 2007 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Novelty Hill 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Basel Cellars Walla Walla Claret 2007
Penner Ash Rubeo 2008
Whitman Cellars Narissa Red Columbia Valley 2004
Dusted Valley Stained Tooth Syrah Columbia Valley 2007
White Wine
Oswego Hills Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2007
Januik Chardonnay Elerding Vineyard, Yakima Valley 2005
Cancilla Chardonnay, Dijon clones Willamette Valley 2007 AND 2006
Raptor Ridge Viognier Kessler Willamette Valley 2006
Sparkling Wine
Moet & Chandon various
Argyle Brut 2005
Ecosse Brut
