Wine & Psyche - Sept. 18, 2011

Celebrate the transformation of the grape to wine with the fall colors of Celestina Vineyard and owner, grower, John Pratt. Wine & Psyche will be an evening of community gathering, creative expression, five wine tastings and food pairings.  Enjoy body poetry from Yahya Suzanna Nadler, flamenco guitar from Grant Ruiz, and symbology/mythology tales from Rod Birney MD.

For more information or to reserve a spot, contact the Self & Soul Center, in Talent, OR.

Wine & Psyche continued...

The custom of toasting to someone’s health, clinking glasses together is rich in symbolic meaning. First of all, wine has the property, in low doses, of dissolving the worries and anxieties of life, of creating a better condition for concentration.

Read more at: http://selfsoulcenter.org

For information on attending the next Wine & Psyche event, please visit the link above and contact the Self & Soul Center to be added to their mailing list.

Wines of Greece

Greece is one of the oldest wine-making regions in the world.

"In ancient times, Greece played a crucial role in the development of the wine culture of Europe. Nearly two thousand years of foreign occupation took a toll on her fortunes, yet many of Greece's rich viticultural resources remain intact." - http://www.greekwinemakers.com

Wine Regions of Greece
from: allaboutgreekwine.com

Though historically well-known for "Retsina," a pine-resinated white wine, Greece does have a wide assortment of growing regions, and therefore a much wider selection of aromas than just the retsina. Below are a few recent tastes, enjoyed with our good friends at the Self and Soul Center during their "Wine & Psyche" gathering. Read more about the event here.

2008 Gentilini Robola (CEPHALONIA ISLAND-Ionian Sea)
Cephalonia is known particularly for the powerful dry white white wine Robola which is lemony dry with high acidity and extract from ungrafted rootstock on Mt Ainos.

2010 Skouras Moscofilero (PELOPONESE-Big Southern Island)
Deep pink skinned grapes used to make strongly perfumed white wine particularly on the high plateau of Mantina. It's name, like that of Vespaiolo in Italy indicates the extent to which insects are drawn to these grapes which are Muscat like in character.

2009 Mitravelas Nemea Red on Black
20 year old bush vine Aghiorghitiko also known as St Georges from the hills of Nemea with low crop production, no oak influence, soft tannins and soft filtration. Velvety red wine with red fruits, black pepper, cocoa and sour cherry in the nose.

2007 Argyos Estate Atlantis Red (SANTORINI-Small Southern Island)
90% Mandilaria and 10% Mavrotragano. Strong winds are characteristic of Santorini and rainfall is low on this volcanic island. The wine is well structured with backbone and focus, grapey, fruity, silky and graceful.

2006 Alpha Estate Xinomavro (MACEDONIA-Northern Greece)
100% Xinomavro from high altitude vineyards in Amyndeo producing dark color, plum and blackberry aroma with high acidity and sweet fruit from the single Hedgehog Vineyard with northern exposure.

2006 Tatsis Angels Peak Red
This blend is called Goumenissa with Xinomavro and Negoska from the most northern wine region in Greece. Botanical character in the nose, rich and well built with black pepper and burnt nuts and vivid finish of coffee and tobacco.

These wines are distributed by DOMAINE SELECTIONS.

Southern Oregon's Finest

Throughout the vast region of Southern Oregon, there is a creative spirit that fuels and inspires not only the artists of the Rogue Valley, but also the agriculturalists such as the valley's premier winemakers. Below are a few of the stand-out wines that Southern Oregon has to offer.

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Eden Vale MidSummer's Cuvee 2007
This wine brings out the best in each of the varietals represented; Chardonnay for body, Pinot Gris for crispness and Viognier for a wonderful nose and finish. A great sipping wine for spring and summer.

Devitt Chardonnay 2006
Layne Vineyards is the source of these grapes. They whole-cluster-pressed the grape juice into small oak casks for fermentation. This wine is heavy bodied, with tropical fruit flavors and a hint of oak. The wine is un-fined and un-filtered and will throw a sediment in the bottle with time.

The Academy Pinot Noir 2005
From their Applegate vineyard and winery, Betty and Barney Smith grow and produce this exceptional Pinot Noir…although not what you might expect. The wine is dark, juicy and extracted, showing tons of berry upfront. It finishes long and clean and will pair with a wide range of grilled meats or poultry.

Abacela Merlot 2007
A cool ripening period preserved the grapes’ natural acidity and delicate aromas. You’ll find deep ripe currant, blackberry, and slightly jammy blueberry aromas with herbal, spice, and toasty hints. This wine will age gracefully over the next three to five years and be ideal with pan roasted pork medallions and herbed compound butter.

Valley View Syrah 2005
Syrah is Southern Oregon's Pinot Noir: a grape that always shows terrior (the soils and area where it is grown) and the specifics variation of that vintage. The 2003 vintage was perfect for a "Rhone" style Syrah. Generally this means that this wine is more balanced and less "jammy," more Earthy, meaty flavors and the fruit is not as sweet. This is a serious wine that is destined to win you over.

Velo Red Wine 2008
The name is a nod to the bicycle Gus uses to make his frequent vineyard rounds. Plummy garnet color with lively reflection, pink rim. Bright, sophisticated aromas of plum-skin and black cherry play off the perfume of fresh raspberries, with notes of cocoa, vanilla bean and baking spices. Generous in themouth as the flavor fans across the palate: dark, rich and smooth. Finishes full of lively fruit with a food-friendly structure and balance that invites another sip.

Southern Oregon Wine Country

The Southern Oregon AVA exists in the southwest portion of the state, stretching 125 miles from south of Eugene to the California border, and 60 miles at its widest between the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the Coast Range to the west. It encompasses Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley, Red Hill Douglas County, and Applegate Valley appellations.

Southern Oregon has the oldest history of grape growing in the state. It dates back to 1852 with an early area settler named Peter Britt, who operated a winery in Jacksonville. Post-prohibition winemaking started in 1961 when vintner Richard Sommers migrated from University of California at Davis and founded Hillcrest Vineyards in the Umpqua Valley. Impressed with the diversity of growing conditions in this area, other winemakers began planting roots in the 1970s, resulting in a patchwork of vineyards growing both cool- and warm-climate varieties. Today, this winegrowing region continues to grow and turn out a great variety of high-quality wines. The appellation became official in 2004.

Throughout the vast region of Southern Oregon, there is a creative spirit that spreads beyond incredible winemaking. There is a thriving arts community that includes galleries, museums and a pair of award-winning festivals celebrating music and art: The Britt Festival in Jacksonville and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. The area is ripe with culinary endeavors, from artisan chocolate making (and the Ashland Chocolate Festival), to chef-owned restaurants serving wine-friendly food that highlights the area's bounty, including line-caught salmon, winter pears and award-winning cheeses. Southern Oregon is also home to North America's deepest lake, Crater Lake, Oregon Caves National Monument, mountains to ski and hike, beautiful public courses to golf, wilderness to explore and legendary rivers to fish and raft.

Wines for Valentines

Adriano Garbel Adami Prosecco – Italy

Moderately fine, persistent, and frothy. Lovely, elegant scents of green apples, white wildflowers, minerals, and glazed almonds. The palate is dry but still generous with flavors of yellow cherries and tropical fruits, and a very long finish. Excellent way to start off the evening with your valentine.

Sables D’Azur Rosé 2007 – France

Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault are blended to make up this lovely rosé. There's lots of cherry and melon flavors in this tutti-frutti rosé. Best served as an aperitif or accompanying grilled fish with Provencal vegetables such as legumes. A vibrant treat to share with a loved one.

Friends Red 2006 – Sonoma County

Winemakers and friends of Pedroncelli Winery often recall the days when founder Giovanni Pedroncelli welcomed them to the cellar. They shared stories over a smooth drinking glass of red wine. More important than the varietal were the friendships. In honor of this tradition, they’ve created this blend to share with their friends and yours. A smooth, food-friendly blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc.

Wind River Tempranillo 2006 – Washington

As one of the early Washington State producers of Tempranillo, Wind River Cellars has gained great notoriety for producing award winning wines from this lavish Spanish variety. Dark earthy tones of cherry and blackberry allow this bold wine to accompany hearty dishes.

Volcano Vineyards – Rogue Valley

Southern Oregon has emerged as a spectacular wine-growing region. This Southern Oregon wine earned a gold medal in 2008 at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. It’s 75% Merlot (2005), blended with 23% Syrah and 2% Viognier (both 2006). Lush and elegant with bold dark fruit flavors, a firm, food friendly backbone, and a luscious finish. It is delicious!

Rosa Regale Banfi Sparking Dolce Red 2007 – Italy

Deep medium cranberry. Attractive, with aromas of cherry and rose petals. Soft, mildly spritzy and creamy on the palate with soft mouth feel and ripe cherry compote fruit flavors. Good balance with low alcohol, good acidity and a dry finish. Ideal as a delicate aperitif or an elegant dessert wine. It enhances the flavor of chocolate. A classy, romantic wine!

Wines by the Fireside

Dynamite Zinfandel

This is a clear violet colored wine with some structure of medium depth. Your nose can pick up some definite black currant or cherry top notes with some spice and pepper under tones. Swirl the wine and enjoy the ripe, dark fruit aromas. Then savor the myriad of flavors as the wine expands across your palate.

Friends. Red 2006 Red Wine

From our friends at Pedroncelli Winery, this bottle will help bring up old stories to tell around the fireplace. A nice blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Zinfandel to toast at any fire. And if you're in a spicier mood, there's our next featured wine...

Bitch Grenache 2007- Australia

Bitch, a provocatively named 100% Grenache, yields from the 25-year-old vines grown in sand over clay in modest amounts, 3 to 5 tons an acre. Ripe quince and lifted spice with a juicy concentration come from the sandy loam soil, and berry characters from the red-brown soils. Life may be a bitch, but this wine will keep the complaints away, at least while you're drinking it! 

Lot 205 Petite Syrah

The wine's rich, inky vermilion color is the first indicator of its fine density. Its aromas are keynoted on fruit -- blackberry, grape, and juicy cherry -- backed by notes of anise, coffee bean and toffee. On the palate, it is forward and lush, with an especially ripe fruit impression. It is the perfect match for any easygoing, hearty cooking, such as pizza, meat pastas, barbeque, or deli meats. This wine is user friendly enough to even enjoy on its own.

Cartlidge & Brown 2005 Zinfandel- California

With aromas of tropical fruit and pear, the palate is softened by a creamy quality enhanced by the spicy oak. Cartlidge and Brown carefully source grapes from vineyards throughout the state of CA to craft their smooth pleasurable wines. Pairs nicely with white meat dishes.

14 Hands Merlot—Washington State

14 Hands Merlot exhibits classic Washington aromas of blackberries and dark stone fruits. Blackberries repeated on the palate and joined by touches of cherries and spice. While soft and luxurious in the mouth, this wine has a firm backbone of tannins. 78.5% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2.5% Cabernet Franc.

Finca Antigua 2005 Tempernillo - Spain

Intense cherry red color with elegant violet tones. Fine aroma. This is an elegant wine with nuances of black and red fruit and balsamic depths which reflect its slight aging. This wine is deliciously well bodied and the wood aging endows pleasant tannins which leave a good aftertaste in the mouth.