CENTRE COUNTY — Though the U.S. dock worker and port operator strike that threatened to close ports on the East Coast ended after a tentative agreement was made on Thursday, Oct. 3, the impact it could have had on many industries — including the wine industry — was felt.
Though it would have taken weeks for the impact of the strike to reach the shelves of the local wine shops, it did serve as a good reminder that opening a bottle of American wine could be just as delicious than a classic French or Italian wine.
Oregon wine can often be overshadowed by its neighbor below it on the coast. While Californian wine produces bold, age-worthy wines, Oregon, particularly the Willamette Valley, produces some equally noteworthy wines. The region is known for its cool climate, diverse soils and exceptional pinot noir production, though it also produces pinot gris and chardonnay grapes for both still and sparkling wines.
While there are plenty of Oregon pinot noirs to choose from at the Fine Wine & Good Spirits at 1682 N. Atherton St., the 2017 pinot noir from EIEIO and Company is a wonderful example of all the region can create.
A bottle of this wine retails for $30 and is a fruity and fresh pinot noir. On the nose, it has vibrant cherry, pomegranate and strawberry yogurt notes. Though it is fruity, it also has a slight sweetness in its aroma, like a cherry pie versus cherries fresh from the tree. The palate is similar with strawberry, cherry and raspberry notes with a light pepper and spice to it.
It has a light body, meaning it doesn’t feel overly heavy in the mouth, making it serve well with a slight chill. Try serving it between 55- and 60-degrees Fahrenheit — about 30 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator.
It is dry, but it has a low level of tannins — the part of the wine that causes your tongue, lips and cheeks to feel dried out — and a high acidity level, giving a fresh but complex feel to it in the mouth.
While it may be a lighter red, it still packs a punch on the alcohol scale, coming in with a 14.1% ABV. Still, though it has a higher level of alcohol than many wines, the alcohol is not noticeable on the nose or on the palate, so there is no burning feeling when drinking it.
The United States has no shortage of unique wines to try, and an Oregon pinot noir is a great starting point.