Wine Win Wednesday: Lange "Domaine Trouvere" Chardonnay

Wine: Lange Estate "Domaine Trouvere" Chardonnay

Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards is a local winery in Dundee, OR.  "Domaine Trouvere" is a label from Lange focused on using smaller lots to produce wines reflective of the land and soil (terrior-driven wines.)

Why it's a win: I feel like all of my posts about Chardonnays need a disclaimer.  99% of the time, I don't like Chardonnay. But every once in awhile I come across a Chardonnay that I do like.  Lately it's become a game with my friends - "who can find a Chardonnay Kristi will drink."

I like this Chardonnay because it's sweet, it only spent un petit peu time in French Oak, and doesn't have an aftertaste of butter and metal.

Where you can find it: Lange Estate Winery - my friends picked it up on a wine tasting trip this summer.  I'm not sure if you can find it in grocery stores...

Price: $28

Wine Win Wednesday: 2009 Amity Pinot Noir

Wine: 2009 Amity Vineyards Pinot Noir

Why it's a win: It's a good representative for Oregon's Pinot Noirs at a reasponable price.  We drank this earlier this summer at a Wine & Dine party, and this was the most popular bottle.  It has my favorite components of a pinot - cherry and raspberry mixed with earth and spices - and it drank really smoothly.

Where you can find it: Costco.  Amity just released its 2010 Pinot Noir, so I'm not sure how much longer the 2009 will be around.

Price: $15


Amity also has a very friendly tasting room and a great view - if you're ever in the Willamette Valley area, be sure to stop by.

Wine tasting at Amity Vineyards, Sept. 2012

Wine Tasting Deal at Winter's Hill

Found this on Living Social today.  Seems like an OK deal, wines are pretty typically priced for vineyard tasting rooms.  At the very least, you get $5 off a bottle of wine.  

http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/425486-wine-tasting-for-two-plus-30-to-spend-on-wine

Winter's Hill Vineyard

Wine Tasting for Two and $30 to Spend on Wine in Beautiful Willamette Valley

From sustainable practices used in grape farming to restoring the native oak savannah and providing a natural habitat for local flora and fauna, Winter's Hill Vineyard believes in protecting the planet while pleasing palates:

• $25 ($50 value) for a wine tasting for two plus $30 to spend on wine
• Enjoy full-bodied bouquet in the Pinor Noir or taste the delicate Pinot Blanc
• Certified by LIVE and SalmonSafe in recognition of environmental efforts
• Family-owned-and-operated winery serving Dundee Hills since 1990

Wine Win Wednesday: Cupcake "Red Velvet"

Wine: 2011 Cupcake "Red Velvet"

Why it's a win: It's named after a delicious, delicious cake!  How can you go wrong?!  Which is why my husband picked it up in the first place (he's a sucker for red velvet cake.) Also, it's a red table wine with Zinfandel at it's heart, and everyone knows how delicious Zinfandel is.

This is yet another of the wines enjoyed Thanksgiving weekend.  It's a little tightly-wound at first - give it a little while to breath and relax.  But after awhile, it opens up its chocolaty, cherry-cordial notes with it's rich, long lasting, and ever-so-slightly sweet finish - one might even say it's "velvety"...

Where you can find it: Costco, Trader Joe's, etc.

Price: $7.95 at Costco

Wine Win Wednesday: 2009 Castle Rock Syrah

Wine: 2009 Castle Rock Syrah

Why it's a Win: Can you say YUM!?  Plus it's from the 'hood (as in our region of the world - Columbia Valley- not Mt. Hood) and I'm partial to wines from our area. My parents found this for $9 in their local K-Falls wine shop, and I was amazed at how tasty a $9 wine can be!  This Syrah is medium-bodied, well balanced, rich berry flavors (which I'm also partial to) complimented by smoky spices.

Where you can find it: Great question... I'm not sure.  I searched a few stores in town after the folks left.  I found a 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet at Trader Joes (which I'm now dying to try) and a 2010 Castle Rock Pinot Noir at Fred Meyer.  But alas, no Syrah yet.  Keep your eyes peeled, though!

Price:  $8.99