Custom Wine Marketing, LLC
Your Personal Wine Shopper
In This Issue
Featured Recipe - Island Pork Tenderloin Salad
In the Vineyard
Heard it Through the Grapevine
Chris' Picks - Oregon Brand Management
Featured Recipe
Island Pork Spring Salad

Spring is sort of a bridge between winter comfort foods and fresh salads.  Here is a marriage of the two.  Wine Pairing:  I'm going to serve a Syrah or a rich red blend with this recipe.  You can't go wrong with one of Chris's Picks, particularly the Tempranillo from Dominio IV or the Syrah from Christopher Michael.   Order one or two from me today.

  
In The Vineyard

Those of us who love wine, and have spent many weekend days driving through the countryside visiting our favorite wineries, know the impact that the wine industry has on our local economy, not only through the sale of the wine but by employing thousands of workers in the field, the barrel room or the tasting room. Starting Monday, May 14, 2012 the DMV is getting behind the industry by providing Oregon drivers the opportunity to purchase wine country vehicle plates. Following in the successful footsteps of the Cultural Trust, the Salmon plates, or the other "custom made" plate designs, half of the revenue will be distributed to tourism agencies in the form of matching grants for the promotion of food and wine - two of my favorite subjects! So for a mere $30 you will not only assist with bringing folks into the beautiful Oregon countryside, you will advertise the wine industry every day as you drive from "here to there!" You can bet I'll be buying one!!

 

". . .direct from vine to table."  
May 2012
Dear Wine Enthusiast:

Ah, the sounds, smells and feel of Spring is in the air and with it, the buds are beginning to take shape in the vineyard with the promise of another great Oregon vintage.  We are starting to see the wines from the surprising 2010 vintage and the 2011 whites are beginning to make a presence.  I think all reports are that these wines are showing beautiful.
 
This month I'm featuring great wines ~~ coming to you from one of my favorite distributors - Oregon Brand Managemnet.  And as the name implies, OBM specializes in Oregon wines.  With the famous Memorial Weekend tasting coming up, here are some wines for you to consider. 
 

Heard it through the Grapevine...

 

Speaking of driving in the country side, let me suggest you head south one weekend this summer.  Cindy and I are planning to head their mid-June to visit some old favorites as well as new arrivals to the wine scene.  I was excited to read that the Southern Oregon Wine Institute, in the heart of Southern Oregon's wine country, is one of the newest college programs for training people to work in the wine business.  Southern Oregon, although the first area of Oregon to be planted with wine grapes, has been a bit of a step-child to the Willamette Valley and it's crowned jewel - Pinot Noir.  Don't be fooled though by this seductive wine as there are some incredible wines being made - warm weather wines, so to speak - in the lower half of Oregon.  Although the general economy may be sputtering, Douglas County's wine industry is booming.  The number of wineries in the region has doubled in the past decade, and new growers and wine producers continue to add jobs to the local workforce at a pace that out numbers any other local industry.  
 
Here would be my "top" 5 when traveling to this wine region:

1. Roxy Ann Winery - Claret is outstanding.

2. Abacela - try their Port - ridiculous!

3. Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards - Tempranillo, yes!

4. Del Rio Vineyards - Sell a lot of their fruit but a number of vinyeards used for their own wine label

5. Troon Vineyards - an up and comer....

 

So take advantage of this wonderful state and all it has to offer - then call me and let me put together a wonderful case for you!

 

Cheers!!

 Chris'
   Picks

 

 

 

 

2009 Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot NoirA cuvee of 5 vineyard sites showing great terroir distinction.  A medium to full-bodied wine with sweet tannin, low acidity and an intriguing bouquet of "foresty" underbrush, red currants and black cherries. With a hint of Asian spices it has undeniable charm, silkiness and velvety texture.  This is a very special wine - only $42.00.

NV Black Cap La Luz Pinot Noir: A one-time limited edition Pinot Noir by renowned winemaker Jason Lett.  A share of the profits from the sale of La Luz wines will help cover the uninsured medical costs for a kidney transplant for Lupe Hernandez, the mother of three girls and spouse of Eyrie's cellarmaster, Julio Hernandez.  Moderate burnished red hue with a slight aged patina. Complex aromatics featuring a mix of berries and cherries, spices, new-sawn wood, bramble and bay leaf. Medium-weighted flavors of cherries and cranberries with dried herbs in the background. Bright acidity with subtle oak accents and a dry, slightly salty finish. Tastes like an aged wine.  $30.00 is an amazing price for this elegant wine.

2010 Broadley Pinot Noir:  Very limited production.  Opaque, unfiltered, the scents, upon opening, are of black raspberry and spice. Flavors are juicy, with big black fruit. Blackberry and a bit of black cherry are refreshing, with a racy natural acidity. Ready to drink, approachable, but balanced, this wine will age for 2-5 years. This is a unique concentrated and satisfying value wine, exceptional for the price.  $17.00/bottle

2009 Brooks "Ara" Riesling:  Their 2009 vintage of the wine featured at the White House State Dinner features slate, spices, apples & honey.  Definitely one for a collector (or President.) Only the finest and most complex fruit were selected for this beautiful blend. Promising great things for those who can hold onto it, cellaring for 3-5 years!  $22.50/bottle

2009 Brooks "Amycas" White Blend:  Immediate aromas of ripe peaches, lime, white flowers, citrus fruits, clover honey and ripe cavaillon melons. With air, apricots, tangerines, wet stones, cinnamon and clove notes, nectarines and hints of fresh hay add to the complexity. rich texture and great focus. Intriguing blend of honey and minerals with a broad mid-palate is broad and rich, with good texture and presence. A great value for a powerful wine. Varietals include Pinot Gris, Pinot blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Muscat.  $12.50/bottle.

2011 Christopher Michael Pinot Gris:  Inviting aromas of pear, green apple and peaches.  The clean flavors of white peaches, nectarine and lemon carry through the palate where the crisp acidity keeps the wine focused and refreshing.  $12.00/bottle

2007 Christopher Michael Syrah:  Complex aromas of Asian spices, floral notes, black plum and hints of pink and black pepper complement a nice weight in the mouth with flavors of cherry cola and strawberry that embrace the tongue and lips.  Yum!  It finishes with expansive fine tannins that helps hold the lush fruit together.  I LOVE this Syrah!  $10.00/bottle.

2008 Dominio IV "Technicolor Bat" Tempranillo/Syrah:  80% Tempranillo and 20% Syrah.  "Wings of licorice and brown sugar", and chocolate.  This "bat" is made to fly by night.  Serve this with a hearty barbeque, cole slaw, corn bread and spicy, honey butter.  Beginning to feel it?  $19.00/bottle

2010 Fausse Pista "Ma Conviction" Viognier:  This is a new label for me and I'm really excited to share it with you.  Made from Outlook Vineyard (Owen Roe) fruit, this Viognier is fermented half in barrel and half in stainless steel tank. Beyond the usual crisp pear flavors, this Viognier has many layers - white flowers, tropical fruits, creamy white peach, lemon blossom, and fennel flavors.  Lovely summer white.  $20.00/bottle

2011 Fjellene Columbia Valley Rosé:  100% Syrah - 100% stainless steel fermented.  Full bodied Rosé that is perfectly food friendly while refreshing the palate.  Let the temperatures rise.....as this wine fills your glass with dark berries, a little spice....and a tiny bit of mystery!  $17.00/bottle  

NV Diversion Magestic Red:  Beautiful red blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah & Cabernet Franc).  Bold black cherry, touch of sweet vanilla, firm tannins, are evidence yet soft and supple on the finish.  Yummy Washington red....Summer is coming and this is a great value red - perfect for Tuesday night quaffing!!  $12.00/bottle

2007 Genesis Meritage:  Classic Bordeaux blend ... More than 25 years ago, the Hogue family planted their first vineyard and began realizing a vision to produce world-class wine from Washington state. Today, Genesis wines celebrate the family's original vision and passion. Crafted with the highest quality fruit from acclaimed vineyards throughout Columbia Valley, this red wine is bold and structured, with juicy berry, cherry and plum flavors and oak, spice and cocoa on the finish.  So perfect with a juicy charbroiled pepper steak with a fully loaded baked potato....oh, does it get better than that??  $12.00/bottle

2006 Aquinas Reserve Red Philosopher:  This reserve blen is a fusion of incredible value and winemaking focus--composed of mostly Merlot, balanced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah. The aroma is driven by dark fruits and blackberries with nice spice and caramel notes. This wine has intense flavors of black currants, juicy ripe plum, cappuccino, sassafras, and dark chocolate. The finish lingers with bourbon soaked cherries, chocolate truffles, and rich French oak. The extended barrel aging has allowed the tannins from both the wine and the French oak to come together and create this great, rich mouthfeel that you usually only find in old, cellared Bordeaux blends.  I am DEFINITELY putting a couple of these in my cellar!  And for $18.50/bottle you cannot beat this red - pay the corkage and take it proudly to any restaurant!  You'll be a hit!

2008 Bogle Phantom Red:  Now here is a juicy red for you!  The only scary thing about Bogle's "Phantom"--made of almost equal proportions of Zinfandel (51%) and Petite Sirah (47%), with just a dash of Mourvèdre--is it's price, which might scare people into thinking there's less to it than there is. But let me disabuse you of that right now. The Phantom is a smoky, peppery red with lots of blackberry and boysenberry fruit and a broad, developing palate impression. There's a subtle meatiness, clove spice and soft tannins that make it perfect for drinking right now. There's a subtle meatiness, clove spice and soft tannins that make it perfect for drinking now.  $17.00/bottle

Cheers!
 
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Custom Wine Marketing has been in business since 2006, and is one of only a handful of companies that broker wine direct to the consumer - with no retail markup involved.  And interest in this type of wine buying continues to grow -- try Googling Custom Wine Marketing  and you will see that it comes up as the #1 or #2 hit!  That is because of the strong interest in CWM -- and you are a big part of that!  Thank you very much for your continued loyalty.  I look forward to bringing wine to your table soon - give me a call today!
 
Chris Hardy
Custom Wine Marketing, LLC
503-310-4576
Where possible, wine is delivered personally to your home or place of business.  If outside Oregon, UPS or FedEx ground are used.  Shipping costs are extra.