review

We Were on TV Again. Please Enjoy This Moment Before Someone Stomps on It.

Twice on TV in One Month, After Never Being on TV at All

For almost twenty years, we've made wine in Oregon without appearing on a TV screen - much. No news segments, no morning show couches, nothing. Then the Grape Stomp came along and we got two in a row.

The first was ARC PDX on KATU (see below). The second was TODAY, on “Wine Wednesday” on KOIN. Same subject, different station, different day, and, I'd like to report, a slightly different level of panic.

We woke up early (for us), but not as early as our hosts, and rushed to the studio, sat down, and then I realized that I still had my slippers on! Luckily, you can’t see that on screen.

What surprised me is how nerve-racking a TV segment is to anticipate, and how easy it was once we were actually on screen. Then it was just like talking to friends.

We've spent two decades telling people about our wine one pour at a time, one tasting room conversation at a time. Seeing ourselves on a screen felt like a different kind of tasting room: a much bigger one, with the lights on and a camera pointed at us. I especially love the B Roll of our tasting room. It looks so good!

So thank you to the KATU and KOIN crews for having us, and for making us feel like we belonged on the couch.

You can watch the KOIN segment here: https://www.koin.com/am-extra/wine-wednesday-the-great-portland-grape-stomp/

Game, Set, Gamay: We're in the Willamette Valley's Top 10!

The praise for our 2022 Willamette Valley Gamay Noir keeps rolling in! (Ok, we admit it — there’s nothing humble about this brag.)

Not only did it get 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, 93 points from both James Suckling and the NW Wine Report, and 91 points from Paul Gregutt, but VinePair just named it one of the top 10 Gamay Noirs from the Willamette Valley!

Here’s what they had to say:

This one has the “grapey” quality that comes from carbonic maceration, softening the flavors of blueberry, black cherry, and dried cranberry. But there’s lively acidity, and hints of vanilla, powdered cinnamon, and white pepper make it all the more interesting.

This wine has long been a favorite at the winery bar, and now that the critics have caught on, it’s selling fast! Get yours before it’s gone.

REOPENING FEB 1st, HERO WINE REVIEW & MORE

REOPENING FEBRUARY 1

Helloooo PDX Wine Co. fans! I am thrilled to let you know that we are reopening Thursday, February 1st. I mean, just look how happy I am to share some amazing wines with you. In fact, I might even call them "Hero WInes" like Paul Gregutt does for our Gamay Noir (see more below).

Okay, okay, I got off track there a bit. Here are the details so you can hang out with us.

See you soon,

Angie

THURS/FRI 4-7

SAT/SUN 1-7

3201 SE 50th Ave.

Portland, OR 97206

MAP & DIRECTIONS

THE HERO (WINE) & OUR HERO (MATT)

In the recent article, "Hero Wines," from "Paul Gregutt's Northwest Wine Guide," Paul interviews Matt about Gamay Noir, and in particular, our Love & Squalor Gamay Noir.

It's a lovely read...here's a teaser:

For me, in most flights, there is one standout. Possibly a standout based strictly on flavor; maybe the one wine that offers the greatest value. Sometimes it might be a truly unusual or unique effort, or something so off the wall that it tickles my curiosity. It’s a subject that can be looked at from any number of perspectives, but today I’m focused on two particular varietal wines from two outstanding Oregon winemakers: Matt Berson’s Gamay Noir and Leah Jorgensen’s Cabernet Franc.

Read the full article.

SHARE THE BENNIES

TRIPLE YOUR WINE CLUB BENNIES

We are proud to offer a Wine Club Trade for the entire month of February. All 'Friends with Benefits' Wine Club members receive the same generous club discounts at our friends’ Helioterra Wines and Teutonic Wine Company. These benefits include complimentary tastings for two, 15% off all bottle purchases, and 20% off full-case purchases.

Not a member? Check out our wine club!





Getting Serious

My friends Dan and Chas, who host the popular video blog Wine Is Serious Business, invited me to come and taste through my current releases with them and have a conversation about winemaking in Oregon. It was lots of fun and turned out pretty well. Check it out here You can see their archive on YouTube and link to them on Facebook.

 

 

Enthusiastic?

Wine Enthusiast Logo

I just got word that my 2009 Riesling received a 91-point rating from the quaffers down at Wine Enthusiast Magazine. I don't put much weight on these sorts of things, but I always am happy when someone likes the wine, and am happier still when they say so in print.

I agree with these guys - I think the '09 is my best yet, and, of course, it is almost completely sold out. Luckily for you the smart people at the brand new Ringside Fish House are pouring it by the glass until I run out. Also, there are a few bottles on the racks at two Whole Foods stores - Hollywood and Tanasbourne. I look forward to hearing how it scores with you. If you'd prefer to go the path of less resistance, the Love & Squalor 2010 Riesling is now available and plentiful, just contact me if you need some.

L&S in the Oregonian Wine Guide

Once again, the Oregonian, in its great wisdom, has smiled upon Love & Squalor Riesling in the bi-annual wine guide. Katherine Cole, the staff wine writer, and three other industry professionals, weigh in on perfect picnic pairings. Ms. Cole herself picks the '08 as a minerally and melony accompaniment for the Vietnamese banh mi sandwich. Thanks for the nod. I will need to try that match-up real soon.

Read the full article here.