globalgourmet.com | WineDay | Annex

"A Pacific Coast Shootout" Northwest Versus California

by Fred McMillin Prologue   On October 4, 1988 I asked the Dean of American Enology, Maynard Amerine (U.C.-Davis) whether the wines of the Pacific Northwest might some day match those of California? He replied that their potential was great, but that the right varietals would have to be planted in the right places.   The Rest of the Story In the following decade, Oregon and Washington vintners have found some of those right places (the Willamette Valley, the Columbia River Valley, etc.) and some of those "right varietals" (primarily Bordeaux and Burgundy types). To see if they are gaining on California, we matched a number of Northwest wines against their California counterparts... same vintage, same price, same varietal. Here are the results.   Pacific Northwest Versus California Winner Winning Margin (votes) Price Year The Wine 7th - Cal. 3 $10 '97 Chardonnay by Charles Michell, El Dorado 6th - Cal. 8 $14 '95 Chardonnay by Buena Vista, Carneros 5th - NW. 9 $10 '98 Pinot Noir Vin Gris (pink) by King Estate, Oregon 4th - NW. 10 $10 '96 Pinot Noir by Lorane Valley Winery, Oregon 3rd - Cal. 13 $12 '95 Cabernet Sauvignon by Pedroncelli, Three Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley 2nd - NW. 16 $9 '98 Chardonnay by Duck Pond, Columbia Valley, Wash. (pictured) 1st - Cal. 34 $9 '98 Gewurztraminer by Chateau St. Jean, Sonoma County   Comment The Northwest doesn't look bad, winning three of seven matches. As Professor Amerine said, the potential is there. Note—This was a small tasting, with only two reds, and no wine above $14. Since the situation looks pretty competitive, we'll put together a larger program, including plenty of pricier reds. Stay tuned.

globalgourmet.com | WineDay | Annex   Copyright © 1999, The electronic Gourmet Guide, Inc. All Rights reserved.