Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone Chardonnay and Pinot Gris (2008)

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Dijon Clone Chardonnay and 2008 Pinto Gris both bear the Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine seal, which means that these wines are made with consideration for the environment, for the WVV employees, and for the community. I like that. More food and beverage companies should follow in their footsteps.

I'm far from a wine connoisseur, but I enjoyed sampling these refreshing wines. Without having read anything about them before tasting them, I was actually able to pick out some of their flavors. Here are the specifics:

2008 Dijon Clone Chardonnay
Willamette Valley Vineyards' chardonnay is a wonderfully smooth wine. The flavor sits on your tongue for a few seconds after you've swallowed it. The first thing I noticed with this wine was it's slightly salty taste. It's not overpowering at all, but I think that's what "attaches" it to your tongue. Soon after, I tasted the tropical peach or pineapple flavor, which is quite refreshing. There is also a light taste of sweet when it first hits your tongue, possibly from the aroma of vanilla and brown sugar. I would pair this wine with seafood, steak, or a picnic of bread and cheese.

2008 Pinot Gris
This Pinot Gris would be a great wine to drink on a warm spring or summer night, as its flavor is filled with hints of tropical fruit, melons, and green apple. It has a slightly tart, more acidic flavor, but has a hint of muscat which adds a flowery sweetness to balance out the acid. The winery recommends drinking this wine this year (2010) to catch its full flavor. This wine would go well with seafood, poultry, and cheese appetizers. Willamette Valley Vineyards also recommends serving it chilled and allowing it to warm in the glass for optimal enjoyment.

Both wines can be purchased on their web site for $15 to $20.

Bottom Line: I thoroughly enjoyed both these fine Oregon wines. The fact that WVV also has stellar eco creds just added to the pleasure. --N.S. (June 2010)

BUY ONLINE: $15-20

Manufacturer's Site: www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com

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