A few years ago, I was in a big Pinot Gris phase.  Whenever I needed to bring a bottle of white wine to a gathering, it was my go to.  These days, I have changed my choice to its' step-brother, Pinot Blanc.

Pinot Blanc has similar DNA to Pinot Gris.  They are both mutations of Pinot Noir.  They were both first grown in Burgundy.  There production spread to regions like Alto Adige in Italy (It is known as Pinot Bianco there) as well as Alsace in France.  Wherever Pinot Noir thrvies, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris will as well.  When you think of Pinot Noir is the States, Oregon is usually the first thought that comes to mind.  Oregon should be at top of mind with Pinot Blanc as well.

Pinot Blanc has been around in Oregon since the late 1960's.  It has remained consistent in plantings and production.  It has not gained mainstream popularity because it tends to carry a higher price tag due to limited production.  There are only about 200 acres planted in Oregon.  What merits the higher price for Oregon Pinot Blanc than say California?  That answer is simple...

Oregon Pinot Blanc is actual Pinot Blanc.  It was brought directly from Alsace and verified.  California's first smattering of Pinot Blanc was not Pinot Blanc, it was a hybrid grape dubbed "Melon".  This was discovered in the 1980's.  Nowadays, more and more actual Pinot Blanc has been planted.

In terms of Oregon Pinot Blanc, a perennial favorite of mine has been from Bethel Heights.  It is a family owned winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley that was bought in 1977.  A group of friends decided to make a go at turning a passion on theirs into a business.  They started with only 14 acres on cuttings in the ground.  The vineyard stands on a former walnut grove and many Walnut trees still stand.

Their Pinot Blanc is always consistent.  The 2011 vintage is no different.  It has great notes of lemon zest on the nose mixed with a touch of spice.  It has a wonderful complexity on the palate with more hints of citrus as well as apple and pear.  The fruit is balanced with a bit more acidity than in years past but I love what it brings to this vintage.  Overall, it is a wonderful example of what Pinot Blanc should be.

Bethel Heights Pinot Blanc in a Nutshell:

Description: 100% Pinot Blanc.  Aromatics in the glass are that of Lemon zest with a hint of nutmeg.  The palate is highlighted with pear and apple flavors.  This wine has a wonderful mouthfeel.  This is all brought together with bright acidity on a lengthy finish.

Food Pairings:  I am a huge fan of Pinot Blanc as a compliment to summer desserts such as Peach Pie.  It also makes a wonderful pair with Oysters on the half shell or a big bowl of Mussels in garlic and butter.

Vintage/Price:  The 2011 vintage is current.  You may still be able to find the 2010 vintage on the market.  The price is right around the $18-$20 mark.

For more information on Bethel Heights Pinot Blanc as well as their other wines, Please go to: Bethel Heights Vineyard

So, in general, I am a fan of blends.  I think there are grapes that compliment each other well and when blended, can make extraordinary wine.  What I am usually not a fan of are "kitchen" sink wines.  These are the high production juice blends from companies of the leftovers.  I feel as though it takes away from the art of wine-making.

So you can imagine what I thought when a friend brought over a bottle of Sokol Blosser's Evolution White from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  I look at the back label and it says:

"As luck would have it, a random number of varietals took a liking to each other and decided to become a lush, off-dry, somewhat tropical wine with a crisp finish."

If that wasn't enough for my heart to skip a beat, I then find out their are 9 varietals in the wine!  9!?! I calmed down soon after and we sat down to dinner.  After a few minutes, oohs and aahs started coming from the table.  I decided to put everything aside and give it a whirl. In my head, I was wanting to take a sip, spit it in my glass and push the glass away.  The opposite happened.

I took a sip and couldn't believe how enjoyable the wine was.  It is a nice, everyday white with good tropical fruits.  It is not overly sweet but it does have a touch of honey on the finish.  It is balanced by just enough acidity.  I don't think luck made this wine as the label implies.  It took a lot of time and effort to make 9 grapes work together.

It took some research but I think I have cracked the 9 varietal code.  It is not on the label or the website.  I know that Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling are in it because they are grown at Sokol Blosser in Oregon.  Also, I believe Semillon, Muscat Canelli, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Sylvaner are added to the party to make the final product.

Wife bonus: The label is printed on recycled paper and the bottle does not have a foil cap.  Always have to point out organic, environmentally friendly notes for her!

Sokol Blosser Evolution White in a Nutshell:

Description:  9 varietal blend.  Great tropical fruit on nose and palate.  A tad sweet with hints of pear and citrus throughout.  The finish is borderline syrupy thanks to a touch of honey but it is balanced well with a bit of acidity.

Pairing:  Food friendly.  Would pair well with a Chipotle BBQ sauce on ribs, chicken, etc.  Also would be good with any sushi that is topped with Spicy Mayo!
 
Vintage/Price: This is an edition wine, not a vintage thanks to the blend.  It is $15 dollars on the Sokol Blosser's website.  I have seen it at Costco and Fine wine shops for $15 to $18.


For more information on Evolution White and other wines from Sokol Blosser, please go to: Sokol Blosser Winery.