SUNDAY SCHOOL’S BUYING GUIDE: ALTERNATIVE OREGON

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There are 80+ varieties grown in Oregon. One of those is —and that accounts for 57% of production. So, what else is out there? Some are familiar like and (but in smaller quantities than you’d think), while others are little-known varieties such as or . Cool, eh?

Our guide focuses on the more obscure, but we realize that if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not going to know what it tastes like, let alone if you’ll like. So, we’ve made note of some starting point grapes so you can continue your adventure from there.

Remember, each of these grape varieties is distinct in and of itself— we’re only giving you a rough place to start (we can’t guarantee if you love Pinot you’ll also going to have a weakness for Trousseau, though you might!).

Find the wine you tend to gravitate toward and then get to exploring. The alt wine world is your oyster!

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY THIS…

WHITES

IF YOU LIKE: /PINOT GRIGIO ...or a light, crisp, easygoing white

TRY: Melon de Bourgogne – minerally, saline (Grochau Cellars or Helioterra ) – melon, herbaceous (Eyrie or Teutonic Wines) Arneis – mellow peach and honey (Helioterra Wines) Aligoté – richer texture, lemon curd (Day Wines) Silvaner/Sylvaner – peach, floral, mineral (Teutonic Wines) Ribolla Gialla – apple, pear, beeswax (Holden Wine Co. or Johan Vineyards)

(For a better-than-expected Oregon Pinot Gris look for Eyrie Vineyards, or try a skin-contact version from Johan Vineyards.)

1 IF YOU LIKE: …or a light body, distinctly aromatic white

TRY: Müller Thurgau – peach, citrus, rose (Golden Cluster) Gewürztraminer lychee, rose, ginger, spice (Beckham Estate, Teutonic Wines) Malvasia – flowers, perfume (Day Wines) – orange blossom, perfume, not always sweet (Brooks Wine or Teutonic Wines)

(For great Oregon try Brooks Wine, Teutonic Wines or Ovum.)

IF YOU LIKE: ...or a med-light body, crisp, tart white with tropical fruit and green notes

TRY: Grüner Veltliner – green pepper, lime (Ricochet Wine or Franchere) Vermentino – grapefruit, citrus, almond (Holden Wine Co. or Craft Wine Co./Minimus) Albariño – zesty, zingy (Golden Cluster or Grochau Cellars)

(For an Oregon Sauvignon Blanc look for Love and Squalor or Division Co.)

IF YOU LIKE: CHARDONNAY ...or a full-bodied white with a luscious mouthfeel and big texture

TRY: – pineapple, ginger, jasmine (Division Winemaking Co.) Blanc – honey, brioche, pear (Sis & Mae) Marsanne – low acid, beeswax, peach (Day Wines or Cowhorn) Roussanne – higher acid, lemon, beeswax (Day Wines or Cowhorn) Viognier – oily texture, floral, orchard fruits (Apolloni Vineyards or Illahe Vineyards) Semillon – waxy body, floral, pear, spice (Golden Cluster)

(For a delicious Oregon Chardonnay try Hazelfern Cellars or Statera Cellars)

REDS…

IF YOU LIKE: PINOT NOIR

2 ...or a light and earthy red

TRY: Gamay – tart red fruit, very low tannin, potting soil (Love & Squalor or Evening Land) Pinot Meunier – less earthy, rose, cherry (James Rahn) Trousseau (James Rahn or Eyrie Vineyards)

IF YOU LIKE: ...or a medium bodied red with good tannin and big flavor but not oily or thick

TRY: Mencia – meaty, pepper, berries (Annalemma) Blaufrankisch – black cherry, chocolate, pepper (John Vineyards) Tinta Cão – violets, red fruit (Abacela) Graciano – herbaceous, red fruit (Abacela) – red fruit, dirt (Apolloni Vineyards, Idiot’s Grace)

(For an Oregon Tempranillo look for Grochau Cellars, Upper Five, or Abacela)

IF YOU LIKE: OR ...or a full-bodied, smooth red with softer tannins

TRY: Dolcetto – cocoa, violet, plum (Holden Wine Co., Libertine) Mencia – meat, berries, spice (Annalemma) Saperavi – velvety, red berries (Golden Cluster)

(For an Oregon Syrah try Franchere, Goodfellow, or Golden Cluster.)

IF YOU LIKE: OR ...or a full-bodied red with high tannin and dark fruit

TRY: Lagrein – plum, raspberries (Remy Wines) – berries, green pepper, chili pepper (Leah Jorgensen) Touriga Nacional – plum, violet, chocolate, spice (Abacela) Tannat – plum, spice, chocolate (Day Wines, Troon )

3 (For an Oregon Malbec, also called Côt, look for Leah Jorgensen or Division Winemaking; for an Oregon Cabernet Sauvignon look for Analemma or Golden Cluster.)

There are many more that are not listed above. Here are some Oregon alt wine producers we especially stand behind. When all else fails look for anything from these guys:

Analemma Beckham Estate Brooks Wine Craft Wine Co. Division Winemaking Co. Day Wines Eyrie Vineyards Fossil & Fawn Franchere Golden Cluster Grochau Cellars Illahe Vineyards James Rahn Johan Vineyards Love & Squalor Maloof Ovum Sis & Mae Statera Cellars Teutonic Wines

If you’re in Portland, here are the wine shops I suggest contacting: Baldwin’s (Lake Oswego), Park Avenue Wines (Downtown), Mom & Pop Wine Shop (NE Sandy), Bar Norman (SE Clinton), Division Wines (SE Division), Dame (NE Killingsworth), Ardor Natural Wines (SE Belmont).

Or, contact the winemakers directly – many are offering curbside pickup or free shipping.

Have questions or thoughts or want more guidance? We love hearing from you! Email us ([email protected]), or shoot us a message on Instagram (sundayschoolwine). Happy shopping. :)

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