Franchere Havlin Vineyard Gruner Veltliner, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($17.95) Buy Now: $16 special
Franchere Havlin Vineyard Gruner Veltliner, Willamette Valley 2014
For a few reasons, this Oregon-grown Gruner Veltliner is delicious. One, it matches grape variety with place: Austria’s forests, temperate latitude, cloudy skies, and laid-back attitude reflect Oregon’s. Two, winemaker/owner Mike Hinds lets the wine follow its own course in vinification — native yeasts, no lead-footed extraction, but he does age the wine in acacia barrels — and his story, as a direct descendant of the Franchère who helped found Fort Astoria, is cool. Plus, he studied winemaking at Chemeketa, outside of Salem. Three, most importantly, the wine is a pleaser: light and brisk, appley and spiced, balanced and refreshing, gulpable on its own or with food. (NB: This is a great wine for vegetarian fare.) At such a price, why not enjoy a new taste of Oregon? After all, we can grow much more than Pinot and Chardonnay. – Daniel
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