WillaKenzie Estate 2005     
Pinot Gris  $18  

Oregon has become very well known for terrific wines. We’re here to introduce you to another of Oregon’s best with our Wine of the Week, WillaKenzie Estate 2005 Pinot Gris.

While Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape, this is an example of how soil, climate and winemaking make a big difference. Pinot Gris is a cooler climate wine and the WillaKenzie is fuller, richer and, I think, more nuanced than Pinot Grigio.

WillaKenzie Pinot Gris is awesome with food, especially with that favorite of the Northwest, salmon. Or if you’re picking an all purpose wine for the appetizer tray then this is it. It has the tastiness of peach and melon along with tropical fruits like pineapple, but with the tingle of acidity that’s the sign of a lively food wine.

The WillaKenzie Estate 2005 Pinot Gris is priced around eighteen dollars a bottle and it’s our Wine of the Week.

Pop the Cork™.

Wine on the Radio – June 1, 2007

Winemaker’s notes and comments:This Pinot Gris offers generous aromatics of honeydew melon, pear, and tropical fruit. The pleasingly rich mouthfeel is dominated by flavors of ripe pear and peach, mango, papaya, pineapple and a hint of grapefruit. WillaKenzie Estate is located in Oregon's Willamette Valley on rolling hillsides in the Chehalem Mountains.

The winery was named after the Willakenzie soil on which the vineyards are planted to convey the influence that the soil imparts on the wine's flavors and aromas. The vineyards are planted with grapes of the Pinot family, mostly new Dijon clones of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from Alsace. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are cool climate grapes, which are particularly well adapted to Oregon.

We produce some of Oregon's most acclaimed pinot noir and pinot gris wines in the traditions of Burgundy and Alsace. We strongly believe in sustainable viticulture, with farming that respects the soil, environment, and grape vines, as well as our people.

Notes on our Wines of the Week, Recommendations, and Picks:

When you read our thoughts, please remember that you may think differently.  A particular wine may be your favorite and not on our list.  Well, don't stop buying it because of that.  In fact, you may want to email us and let us know about it. These are our opinions but our FIRST recommendation is to go by your own palate.

A couple of other thoughts . . . first, prices are approximate.  They'll vary.  Second, different vintages mean different grapes and different tastes so our recommendation for a 2000 Merlot may not hold for 2001.

And lastly, we remind you to drink responsibly!  Now, all that said, here is a summary of  links to our suggestions.  Find one (or more) and pop the cork!

Read the fine print . . .

Wine consumption can have positive physical benefits or cause possible physical harm . . . the medical community is divided in some areas.  If you have any doubt, check with your doctor before consuming wine or any other alcoholic drink. 

Our information is well researched.  Recommendations are based on our opinions at the time of publication.  At the same time, recommendations change.  Also, there may be significant variance in taste depending on storage, shipping, and other factors.

The Wine Experience is not liable or responsible for any consequences arising from the use of the information obtained from winexperience.com, wineexp.com or The Wine Experience radio show.

The Wine Experience is intended for adults (over 21 years old).  Drink responsibly and don't drink and drive!