It seems that everywhere I have gone the last few weeks, I have found bottling crews hard at work. At Syncline Wine Cellars, COR Cellars, Erin Glenn…everyone has been getting their yummy new vintages in the bottle and making room for harvest and crush. I love this time of year!
Tags: Bottling · Crush · HarvestNo Comments.
I recently took a small group of friends to Marchesi Vineyards in Hood River. We were welcomed by Franco Marchesi at his recently opened tasting room. Franco is originally from the Piedmont region and his style of winemaking reflects his Italian heritage.
His luscious wines feature Italian varietals like Barbera, Dolcetto and Pinot Grigio. We had an excellent afternoon with Franco tasting and touring his small production area. His wines were very balanced and around 12% in BAC. I recommend visiting this winery if you get the chance!
Tags: Barbera · Dolcetto · Hood River · Italian · Marchesi · tasting room · vineyardsNo Comments.
Swirl Wine Club will be on 16 scheduled “Wine Trains” with the Mt. Hood Railroad this summer season. The trains are on Fridays, and each wine train will feature Gorge area wineries. All aboard! We’ll be on hand to answer questions about the wines, as well as to sell and ship bottles to happy wine lovers.
Enjoy gourmet appetizers while sampling fine wines from the local region.
May 9 - June 13, 27
July 11, 25 - August 8, 22
September 12, 26 - October 10, 24
November 7, 21 - December 5, 12, 19
$50 per person
Tags: Mt. Hood Railroad · wine tasting · wine train1 Comment
Here they come. I have started getting calls from around the country.
Yesterday, a family from Chicago. Today, a family from Phoenix. They are calling to schedule their Swirl Wine Tours here in the Gorge. We will have a fun summer.
…and other Swirl news:
I will be assisting the with the 16 scheduled ‘Wine Trains’ for the Mt. Hood Railroad this year, beginning May 9th. Specifically, I’ll be on the trains to help guide the tasting, and Swirl will be available to ship wine for clients.
Of course, we are continuing with regular tastings at the Best Western Hood River Inn throughout the summer.
The Swirl Wine Club business card/logo has just won the GOLD again for Buzzsaw Studios!
This time, at the Western Regional Division of the International ADDY awards. We are now competing at Nationals. Wish us luck.
Tags: Summer · Swirl news · toursNo Comments.
I have been tasting a lot of Gorge wines lately- visiting the tasting rooms of The Pines, Pheasant Valley, Phelps Creek, Erin Glenn and Syncline with small tour groups.
It has been lovely weather and a perfect time to take people to the wineries.
Tags: spring · tours · wine tastingNo Comments.
Just got word that the Swirl Wine Club business card won GOLD at the local ADDY Awards Competition, and has taken that distinction on to the regionals where it will be in the competition pool for Oregon, Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, and Idaho.
The ADDY awards are conducted by the American Advertising Federation, a non-profit organization, to recognize creative advertising in all media types worldwide. It has a reputation as the largest and most competitive advertising design award competition in the industry.
And in other Swirl news, we are launching into the spring season wine tours and tastings!
This Sunday, we are taking a fun group of company managers on a unique tour of Pheasant Valley, Phelp’s Creek, The Pines, and Erin Glenn wineries. We are going to have a great time and I am really looking forward to it.
Tuesday, April 8th, we will have a tasting of Pheasant Valley wines at the Best Western Hood River Inn. We will feature their River City Red ($19) , 2006 Pinot Gris ($19), 2005 Pinot Noir ($25), and 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24)
The festivities will be from 5 to 8 pm, in the Shoreline Room. Come grab a bite at the Cebu Lounge before or after sampling these great wines.
Tags: ADDY Awards · Swirl Business Card · wine tasting · Wine tourNo Comments.
“The Blood of Jove” . Whoa. Being a bit of a word nerd, I like this word : Sangiovese. ‘Sanguio-’ means blood in Latin, and the name Sangiovese derives from sanguis Jovis, “the blood of Jove”. ‘Sangio’ is a luscious red wine grape variety originating in the Tuscan region of Italy. It is the main component of the traditional Chianti blend of Tuscany. Young sangiovese has fresh fruity flavors of strawberry and a little spiciness, but it can easily take on oaky and ‘tarry’ flavors when aged in barrels.
It is likely that Italian immigrants from Tuscany introduced the Sangiovese grape to California in the late 1800s, possibly at the Segheshio Family’s “Chianti Station,” near Geyserville. Sangio is one of several varietal components of the field blends in many old North Coast and Gold Country vineyards that are often otherwise identified as Zinfandel.
The Sangiovese grapes grown in the Columbia Valley thrive in the relatively dry climate, with our hot summer season, and low elevations. The flavors of this versatile grape range from light, faintly floral and strawberry notes to robust and assertive plums and violets.
If you are interested in trying a nice sample of Columbia Valley Sangiovese that will show a good range of styles, I would recommend tasting the following four local wines:
Viento 2005 Sangiovese, Cuvee Tuition, Columbia Valley
Grapes from Candy Mountain, Kiona, and Chukar Ridge Vineyards were blended after 18 months of barrel aging. Classic dusty cherry aromas and spicy flavors mark this dry and delicious wine. $20. bottle
Naked Winery, 2005 Diva Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
Offering strawberry on the nose and the palate with hints of chocolate underneath. This is a light style Sangio, that is ideal for summer meals. Soft and smooth are the catch phrases for the texture of this wine. $34. bottle
Maryhill Winery 2004 Proprietor’s Reserve Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
A dense version of the classic Sangiovese. These grapes are from the Gunkel (estate) vineyards and Alder Ridge Vineyards. Lumnious garnet color with aromas of sweet cherry, blackberry, roses , and leather. $32. bottle
Waving Tree Winery 2006 Sangiovese, Columbia Valley
This Sangio has a medium body, soft texture, and delicate garnet color. Firm, with a tart cherry flavor and bright acidity. $12. bottle
Tags: grape varietals · Maryhill · Naked · Sangiovese · Viento · Waving Tree1 Comment
Wow! What a crowd.
This was what last Saturday looked like at the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival. This was typical of the crowd, - pretty much wall to wall.
February has been a busy month for Swirl Wine Club, and we are looking forward to a great spring, - with a new ecommerce website and fabulous wine tours.
Tags: Newport Festval · seafood · Swirl Wine Club · wineNo Comments.
