Wine Country Pilgrimage
November 5th, 2009
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars in Newberg (photo by Chris Hughes)
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so you might well be wondering what wine to pair with your turkey dinner.
I brought a bottle of Erath Pinot Noir to my family dinner last Thanksgiving and it — along with my signature orange-ginger cranberry sauce — went over famously. This article claims that there’s a scientific reason that Pinot Noir pairs well with turkey — and offers some great Oregon Pinot recommendations, too.
Speaking of wine and Thanksgiving, the holiday weekend is one of the best times to visit the Willamette Valley wine country. From Friday through Sunday, more than 160 wineries will be open to the public, including many small operations that aren’t normally accessible. The whole winemaking community gets into the holiday spirit, with special offerings like deals on new releases, barrel-tasting opportunities, gourmet nibbles – even live music at some wineries.
Wine tasting in the Willamette Valley is always a friendly, intimate experience, and the Thanksgiving weekend is no exception — you’re likely to meet the vinters themselves pouring in the tasting rooms.
So, grab the relatives (or escape them) and settle into the season with a leisurely weekend in wine country. It goes great with turkey!
Tags: Holiday, Thanksgiving, vineyards, wine, Wine Country, wine tasting, winery
November 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
This sounds like a lot of fun. We are going to try and make the vinyards on highway 22, like Namaste and Eola.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Thanks for the comment, Nancy. I haven’t spent much time in the southern Willamette Valley, but I’m sure you’ll have a blast!