Gran Cru's Oregon Wine Experience a.k.a. the land of fabulous Pinots

While we're on the topic of Pinot Noir, I have to share my amazing experience at the Gran Cru's Oregon Wine Experience located in Orlando, FL in March. If you love Pinot Noir, or are like me, and want to know where to find the really good ones, because typically they are somewhat expensive and you don't want to waste your money on a not so good one, then this is the event for you! We tasted over 100 wines, and couldn't believe how we were tasting Pinot after excellent Pinot. Some of our favorites with approximate prices: Daedalus Cellars "Labyrinth" Pinot Noir, 2004, $41.20; Domaine Meriwether Pinot Noir, $25.20; Foris Pinot Noir, $31.90; The Four Graces Pinot Noir, $31.25 and "Reserve" Pinot Noir $43.99; Henry Estate Pinot Noir, $21.99 and "Barrel Select" Pinot Noir, $27.75; La Cadeau "Rocheux" Pinot Noir; Sokol Blosser, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28.40; Torii Mor "Deux Verres Reserve, $52.25" and "Hawks View" $64.75; and Willamette Valley Vineyards, "Estate" Pinot Noir $34.75.

Our 1st place prize went to Panther Creek Cellars for the most outstanding Pinot Noir of the night! "Winemaker's Cuvee ($35.99), "Temperance Vineyard" ($47.50), and "Freedom Hill" ($47.50) were all excellent, and the "Shea Vineyard" 2006 ($47.50) actually eared a 10 on our rating scale! All bottles at the tasting were 20% off, so we bought one for $38.00.

Also, these vineyards had fabulous Pinot Gris and white blends. For under $20, try Foris Pinot Gris, Sokol Blosser "Evolution" white blend, and Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling. Yum!

A fantastic Pinot under $20?!

I tend to have low expectations of Pinot Noir under $20, so when I tried the 2007 Chalone Vineyard, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, I was pleasantly surprised! It came from Costco, and while I don't remember the exact price, on-line it ranges from $12-19. It is velvety, smooth, and elegant with cherries and other bright fruit. Exactly what I want from a Pinot without the acidic taste that I typically find in inexpensive Pinots, and it had unexpected depth. If I can find it at Costco again, I will definitely be buying more!

Wedding Wines 5: A by Acacia Pinot Noir

Typically, under-$20-Pinot-Noirs and I don't get along. I've had a few "okay/drinkable" ones and many more where I'm thinking, "is there any fruit underneath all this alcohol smell, oh yes, there it is, a touch of blueberry, no, it's gone now," and even one that tasted like dirt, which strangely my friend-of-a-friend who bought the bottle really liked. So, needless to say, the first time I had the A by Acacia Pinot Noir, I was Surprised! We were at a steakhouse and my husband and I opted for seafood with a heavy sauce, but were not in a white wine mood. My father in law ordered this wine for us. I was skeptical at first, and almost stopped him, this wine was the most reasonably priced on the menu and a Pinot, but he has good taste in wine, so I sat back for the adventure. We were very impressed! This Pinot is silky and elegant with dark fruit, vanilla, florals and a hint of oak. Perfectly balanced. Sadly, we don't get to have this wine much because the price is toward the $20 end (you can find it at big wine warehouses for $19.99 if you are lucky), but it is worth every penny plus some.