Remy Wines: Italian Grapes in Oregon and a Winery After my Heart

This month our Italian Food, Wine and Travel group (#ItalianFWT) is exploring Italian grapes around the world.  Always an intriguing search and fun experimentation to see what other states or countries around the world are growing Italian grapes and why they choose these particular grapes to grow in their particular place in the world.  The winery I sampled wines from, Remy Wines, holds a particular place in my heart as my first born son’s name is Remy.  He was a big fan seeing his name on the bottle!

Remy Wines is located in the Pacific Northwest of the US in Oregon.  The vineyards are located in the Dundee Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley.  The owner and winemaker, Remy Drabkin, had a lifelong dream and passion to work in the wine industry starting at the young age of 8.  By the age of 14 she had worked her first harvest and by age 17 she was already studying winemaking abroad. 

Being a native to McMinnville, Oregon where the winery is located, Remy holds strong roots to the area.  She began Remy Wines in 2006 and over the years has added a couple tasting rooms including baR (pronounced R Bar) in 2011 and her latest tasting room added in 2017 at the family’s Lone Madrone Vineyards site in Dundee.  Although Remy’s winery is small production, she prides herself on innovation as she works with Italian grapes that are very outside the norm for Oregon’s wine country.  Her focus is on Lagrein, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and Barbera.  She also has another label called Three Wives Label that she experiments with from vintage to vintage playing with blends. 

The Wines

2017 Remy Wines Jubilee Dolcetto:  These grapes are grown in the Jubilee Vineyards in the Northern part of the Eola-Amit Hills AVA in the Willamette Valley.  Dolcetto is a grape widely grown throughout the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.  The Jubilee Dolcetto is barrel aged 16 months in neutral oak.  Ruby in color with aromas of black licorice and blackberries.  This wine was dry and balanced with juicy acidity showing blackberries on the palette. The subtle tannins showed on the finish with a hint of vanilla finishing with nice length.  Only 206 cases are produced.  SRP $35

Chicken, broccoli and sun-dried tomato over brown rice

2017 Remy Wines Estate Lagrein: These grapes are grown at the family vineyard in Dundee Hills.  Lagrein is such a fantastic red grape that is native to the Alto Adige region of northeastern Italy.  It’s a beautiful area surrounded by Dolomite Mountains.  Remy was the first to bottle Lagrein in Oregon.  Deep in color with purple hues.  A hefty wine with jammy fruit, notes of chocolate and a hint of herbs with chewy tannins.  I wish I had opened this when I grilled some rib eyes a couple weeks ago.  The Estate Lagrein is aged 2 years in 50% new American oak.  Only 125 cases were produced.  SRP $58

Join my fellow Italian food and wine lovers on Twitter this Saturday @ 11am EST at #ItalianFWT as we share many other Italian grapes around the world.

• Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla: “Cheesy Bites, a Colorful Board, and a Barbera...from California”
• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm: “Italian Grapes Grown Outside of Italy and Served Out of a Box? Che Diamine!!!”
• Andrea at The Quirky Cork: “Tuscany Meets Turkey with Chateau Murou Montepulciano Sangiovese”
• Marcia at Joy of Wine: “Exploring Italian Grape Varieties Down Under with Zonte's Footsteps”
• Jeff at foodwineclick: “Italian Grapes from Unti Vineyards at the Winter Grill”
• Martin at ENOFYLZ: “A Splendid Cal-Ital: 2016 Giornata Nebbiolo Luna Matta Vineyard”
• Terri at Our Good Life: “Italian Grapes in Lodi Paired with Grilled Salmon Tacos”
• Nicole at Somm’s Table: "2 Italian White Wine Blends Born in California"
• Gwendolyn at wine predator: “Italy in California: from Aglianico to Zinfandel” and “Italy in California: Nebbiolo from Humbolt's Terragena and Santa Barbara’s Silver”
• Susannah at avvinare: “Vermentino, A Star In and Out of Italy”
• Linda at My Full Wine Glass: “Native Italian grapes find a home in the land of Pinot Noir”

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*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.

BBQ Brisket with Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir

I’ve been expanding my horizons as my readers may have noticing and have engaged in other groups that my fellow food and wine writer friends are a part of.  This month our French #winophiles group are discovering a couple Burgundy producers, also known as Bourgogne, that also hold estates also in Oregon.   You can read more via the preview on this theme by our host LM Archer.  I’ll be sharing a special pairing with a Pinot Noir from Domaine Drouhin.   

Domaine Drouhin has a history that started in France over a century ago.  Joseph Drouhin had situated himself in Beaune in 1880 and established Maison Joseph Drouhin.  Almost 100 years later the family generations have established Domaine Drouhin in the late 1980’s within the AVA appellation of Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  As their website states they have a “French soul” with roots in Burgundy, but on Oregon soil.  Domaine Drouhin is spread over 235 acres with 130 under vine that are certified sustainable.  Just as in Burgundy, Domaine Drouhin’s focus is on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.   

The 2017 Domaine Drouhin Laurene Pinot Noir I’m featuring today celebrates the winery’s 30th anniversary and the 26th vintage of this wine.  It is considered their flagship wine that is named after the daughter of Veronique Boss-Drouhin, head winemaker of the estate.  The wine is made of 100% estate grown Pinot Noir.  If your perception of Pinot Noir is typically a lighter bodied red, this wine will make you look at this grape in a whole new light.  A red with great structure and ripe fruits of blueberries, blackberries and cherry with herbal notes.  Pinot Noir from Oregon has always been a preference of mine and Domaine Drouhin’s Laurene Pinot Noir is now another fan favorite. ABV 14.1% SRP $75 

Food Pairing

I had a brisket that I had been wanting to prepare and actually had never made a brisket before so thought it would be a great opportunity.  I used a slow cooker to prepare it on a low and slow for about 7-8 hours with a homemade BBQ sauce of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and ketchup.  I was hoping before I tasted the wine that the sauce wouldn’t overpower the wine.  It was my first time preparing this BBQ sauce and low and behold the dish, sauce and pairing couldn’t have gone together any better.  Plus, I added in some roasted sweet potatoes with some homemade applesauce.  There really is nothing like making your own sauces and condiments versus store bought junk with their long list of ingredients.  I think the structure of the Pinot Noir allowed this wine to stand up just right to this dish and the ripeness of the fruit in the wine was a great complement to the sauce and sides.  

Join our wine and food bloggers live this Saturday on Twitter @ 11am EST at #Winophiles as we chat all about these Oregon estate wineries with French roots. 

• Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm tells of Countries United Through Food and Wine.
• Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla matches Galette au Chou + 2017 Résonance Pinot Noir.
• Terri at Our Good Life pairs Resonance Pinot Noir and Roasted Pork Loin.
• Lynn from Savor the Harvest posts Oregon Pinot Noir With a Burgundian Heart – Domaine Drouhin Laurène.
• Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares Oregon PN for a PNW holiday meal: A Résonance.
• Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles has a discovery: Découverte! Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Dundee Hills and Mediterranean Salmon.
• David from Cooking Chat posts Braised Moroccan Chicken Thighs with Oregon Pinot.
• Jane from Always Ravenous offers an Oregon Pinot Noir Paired with Braised Chicken Thighs, Blackberries, and Fennel Purée.
• Melanie from Wining With Mel writes New World meets Old World: Oregon’s Résonance Pinot Noir Paired with Beef Bourguignon.
• Liz from What’s In That Bottle gives us a Taste of the 45th Parallel.
• Jeff from Food Wine Click! tells us about Louis Jadot on Both Sides of the Pond.
• Payal from Keep the Peas offers Burgundy via Oregon.
• Nicole at Somm's Table has a Burgundy vs. Oregon Showdown with Drouhin Wines.
• Jill at L’Occasion covers Bourgogne’s Western Vineyards: Crafting Pinot Noir in Oregon.
• L.M. Archer shares life À Table with Domaine Drouhin Oregon and Résonance Wines.

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Biodynamic Wines of the Willamette Valley with King Estate

The Wine Pairing Weekend group I’m a part of that features monthly themes focused on Williamette Valley wines from Oregon this month and reminded me why I fell in love with Oregon pinot noir a long time back.  When I first learning about wines Oregon pinot noir was always my favorite.  

There was just something about the light to medium body of the wine, but the depth of flavors that it appealed to me so much.  I’ve never been a huge fan of big, bold, jammy wines so it’s no surprise that these wines appealed to me.  Prior to wine my only other knowledge of Oregon was the Oregon Trail computer game I played back in grade school if that didn't just date my back some. 

The Land 

The Willamette Valley of Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest and the valley runs from Portland in the north to Eugene in the southern part of the valley.  It’s surrounded by 3 mountain chains including the Cascade Range, the Oregon Coast Range and Calapooya Mountains.  The climate there is continental.  

Willamette Valley AVA's copyright of Willamette Valley Wineries Association

The Williamette Valley of Oregon is home to pinot noir and it’s obvious when you go to Williamette Valley Wineries Association website and it’s boldly says “We are pinot noir”.  Over 15,000 acres are planted to pinot noir with the 2nd largest planted grape is pinot gris at almost 4,000 acres.   Being known for world class pinot noir they must be doing something right since the first planted vines of pinot noir were back in only 1965 by David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards.  The Williamette Valley dominates wine production for oregon state producing an overall 71% percent of its total production with the Willamette Valley making 82% of the states pinot noir.

Copyright of Willamette Valley Wineries Association

The Winery 

I sampled some wines from King estate located at the bottom tip of the valley in Eugene.  The winery has been family owned since 1991.  With a total production of 350,000 bottles all their grapes are hand picked with over 1,000 acres Demeter certified biodynamic.  I can truly appreciate a winery that goes to lengths to take measures in properly taking care of its land and environment.  The winery takes part in many practices including:            

• No use of chemicals 
• Use of raptors such as owls and serves as a rehabilitation centre for them  
• Specific plant species utilized to attract insects 
• Solar panels to reduce their carbon dioxide footprint  
• Over 1,000 tons of compost annually used for fertilization

  

  Copyright of King Estate Winery

  

  Vines and lavender fields @ King Estate ~ Copyright of King Estate Winery
  

The Wines 

2017 King Estate Pinot Gris Steiner Block 

Named after Rudolf Steiner who founded the biodynamic approach to agriculture.  They claim to be the largest producer of pinot gris domestically.  This wine was aged in a concrete egg.   A pale straw color with a tinge of green, almost clear in the glass.  A beautiful, aromatic nose of green apple and citrus.  A lighter body that was crisp, clean with citrus shining on the palate combined with some minerality.  ABV 13% SRP $28 

Pairing:  I paired this wine with a garlic butter marinade with a pork tenderloin served with a simple side salad.  I had bigger aspirations on this pairing to add a side of crab cakes, but I was balancing a work call while my almost 3 year old was emptying the fish food into the tank.  Mamma mia!  The wine was a wonderful match with the pork and the simplicity of the marinade allowed the citrus and minerality of the wine to shine. 

2016 King Estate Pinot Noir Highwire 

Deep ruby in color with almost a purplish tinge.  Medium-bodied with ripe, juicy strawberries and raspberries on the nose.  A wine well balanced with finesse and a rich, ripe fruit finish.  ABV 14.1% SRP $68 

Pairing: I paired this wine with a teriyaki marinated petit beef filet served with some sauteed mushrooms.  Pinot noir is such a classic pairing with mushrooms and even with the hefty beef filet the pinot noir held its own.  

Here are plenty more wine and food pairings with Willamette Valley wines with our talented group of wine and food bloggers.  Join us live on Twitter this Saturday May 11th at 11am EST with the #winepw as we discuss the behind the scenes of our recipe pairings and share thoughts on these amazing wines.

• David of Cooking Chat has prepared "Salmon, Farro and Mushrooms with Winderlea Pinot Noir"
• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camila is celebrating with "Simple Pleasures
• Jill of L’Occasion writes about “Peace, Bread, Land and Wine’: A Meal With Brooks Winery“
• Lori of Dracaena Wines will present "Continuing the Biodynamic Legacy #WinePW"
• Jane from Always Ravenous pairs "Wild Alaskan Salmon with Herbed Ricotta and Oregon Pinot Noir"
• Pinny of Chinese Food and Wine Pairings combines "Biodynamic Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Noir from Johan Vineyards Plus Surf ‘n’ Turf Dinner"
• Linda of My Full Wine Glass shares "Ode to Oregon: Johan’s Biodynamic Expression of Place (#WinePW)"
• Gwendolyn Alley from Wine Predator will present "Our land is our life and our life is our wine” — Cooper Mountain Pinot Paired with Duck #WinePW
• Deana from Asian Test Kitchen has whipped up "Oregon Orange Wine Sparkles with Indian Curry"
• Wendy Klik A Day in the Life on the Farm discovers "Dammit!! These are some great wines from Willamette.
• Lauren Walsh of The Swirling Dervish will tempt us with "Pork Loin, Mushrooms, and Fiddlehead Ferns Meet Biodynamic Pinot Noir from Bergström Wines (#WinePW)"
• Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog brings us "A Taste of Cooper Mountain Vineyards at the Table #WinePW"
• Jeff of Food Wine Click is pairing "Biodynamic Willamette Valley with Brick House and Harissa Chicken"
• Payal of Keep the Peas is presenting "Living off the Land: King Estate Pinot Noir + Mushroom Pâté"
• Rupal of Syrah Queen is sharing "Maysara Winery - Iranian Immigrants Achieving The American Dream”
• Jade of Tasting Pour will share "Thai Green Curry Rockfish and Montinore Estate Gewurztraminer #WinePW"
• Nicole of Somm's Table shares "A Hunt for a Biodynamic Williamette Valley Wine: Johan Vineyards Farmland Pinot Noir and Salmon"

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*Wines were provided as samples, but opinions are my own.  Information sourced from King Estate Winery and the Willamette Valley Wine Association.