Tag Archives: Oregon Pinot Noir

Zinful Holiday🦃🍷

Happy Thanksgiving!

Next week kicks off the official start to the holidays!🦃🎄🥂🍷

And with those celebrations come many traditions. Many that our loved ones might be hard pressed to abandon or change.

Not surprisingly, one of those traditions involves wine. And a very particular type of wine.

Over the years, HubbyDoug has been very ‘stamped-it-no-erasies’ about the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving wine offerings. Without question: Pinot Noir. And I understand why.

Pinot Noir has a beautiful lightness, a subtle yet present mouthfeel, delicate flavors of cherry, raspberry , clove, vanilla and mushroom. Oregon Pinots are a favorite because the cooler climate creates more tartiness in the vibe (Old World Pinots tend to have more earthiness but it’s all a matter of taste). Across the board, Pinot’s bright acidity makes it a great dinner companion – not only for the turkey main attraction but a variety of holiday savory and sweet side dishes. Think green bean and fried onion casserole, candied yams, squash-pecan casserole.

This year I want to break out an option: the beloved Zinfandel. Its bold, fruit forward vibe pumps up the jam along with some nuanced smoky notes. Flavors of blackberry, strawberry, cinnamon, crushed gravel and white pepper give it a lot of depth to play with the myriad flavors present on the table. The juicy fruit, richness of the tannins and smooth, lingering finish is worth popping the cork.

My pick is a 2022 Kunde Family Winery Sonoma Valley Red Zinfandel. I’ve enjoyed this wine during the year paired with roasted chicken, rosemary-garlic mash and charred broccoli with olive oil, and toasted pine nuts. I know it won’t let me down.

Ultimately, these two varietals will coexist in the most lovely way on our holiday table.

So this Thanksgiving, feel free to be a little zinful!😈

No matter what your choice, have gratitude in your heart and the sweetest day.💋♥️

Cheers!😄🍷🦃

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2024

Wine Wednesday: Maysara Jamsheed Pinot Noir 🍷😊

One of the best things about summer is getting together with friends for an amazing dinner and trying a new Pinot Noir! Featured for the evening: 2014 Maysara Jamsheed.

Cultivated in the Momtazi Vineyard located in the foothills of Oregon’s Coastal Range, these grapes have been given much TLC that is necessary produce top quality pinot. The temperatures in this particular region separates them from impact from the valley. Here, there are warmer days, cooler nights and lower precipitation during their harvest. Because pinot is a delicate grape to cultivate, this gentler microclimate is best especially in the days leading up to harvest.

Tea Time

Maysara’s philosophy is that “90% of winemaking takes place in the vineyard.” They believe in truly biodynamic cultivation – a ‘nature to nature’ credo. They shun the chemical approach  by the use of compost tea, made through the propagation of an assortment of medicinal flowers and herbs that are brewed into a steeped tea. Steeping extracts the most beneficial elements which are then worked back into the vineyard soil. This boosts optimum health for the soil, vines, and then the grapes.

What a Pair

Our wine was paired with an incredible dinner of fragrant lamb tangine, grilled root vegetables, and roasted cauliflower with yogurt mint sauce. The delicate balance of sweet and spice played beautifully with the spritely cherry, luscious blackberry, and light cracked pepper vibe of the wine. Since this was a ’14 vintage, it had just the right amount of aging to truly release its tender nuances. This pairing was outstanding.

I would like to eat this picture.

My thanks again to our friends, Judy and Greg, for a wonderful evening of fun, incredible food, and an amazing wine that is one of my new favorites of the summer.

Cheers! 🍷