by Fred McMillin
for October 17, 2000

The Valley That Couldn't

Prologue

In Oregon, the Cascade Mountains rise abruptly 60 to 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean, dividing the state into a cool and humid western section and a drier, more continental eastern area. The Cascades intercept the east-moving, rain-bearing winds that dump up to 100 inches a year of rain on the western side. Thus, the eastern side is grape country. It's low humidty and low winter temperatures minimize fungal diseases and vine pests. So, all major wine production in the northwest U.S.A. is located east of those mountains.

The Rest of the Story

WAIT! There is one valley west of the Cascades that can grow vines beautifully. It is cooler than Burgundy, cooler than the Napa Valley, but warmer than the great German Riesling-grape area. Fortunately, most of its 50 inches of rain fall outside of the critical growing period. It is the Willamette (will-LAM-et) valley, and it produced...

Our Wine of the Day

1998 Duck Pond Pinot Gris
Appellation—Willamette Valley, Oregon,
The Grape—The Willamette Valley produces the best Gris in the U.S.A., according to my panel's palates, and mine. This Duck Pond drew a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating. It is well-suited for the valley, because it resists moisture-induced mildew and ripens early before the heavy-rain season.
Use—A bright, vigorous white, falling between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Pair with highly-seasoned fish and fowl dishes.
Contact -Office of Joan Freeze, (503) 538-3199, Fax (503) 538-3190
Price—Here's the best of all...the Duck Gris won Best Buy in my last tasting. $11 range.

Postscript—Call the Swat Team!

We mentioned that there's plenty of rain in Oregon. So what is their state bird? It's the mosquito!

About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. For information about the wine courses he teaches every month at either San Francisco State University or San Francisco City College (Fort Mason Division), please fax him at (415) 567-4468.

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October 2000

10/16/00—Down Under A Chardonnay Shock
10/13/00—The English Rothschilds
10/12/00—Columbus Lands in the Bahamas
10/11/00—muhr-so Magic
10/10/00—Our Best Blanc
10/09/00—A Knight Delight
10/06/00—An Act of Faith
10/05/00—EXTRA! EXTRA! World Series Winnah!!
10/04/00—Field Stone Makes Way For Chardonnay
10/03/00—Big Wine, Small Price
10/02/00—Beaumes-De-Venise??

This page created October 2000