Sorensen Pinot Gris/Sauvignon Blanc 2006 – Washington

Sorensen is a small winery in Port Townsend, Washington. It sources grapes mostly from the Yakima Valley and other Washington appellations (no estate or regional Olympic Peninsula grapes are used). It has a small, friendly tasting room, and charges a nominal tasting fee. (We still have a huge gripe about tasting rooms that charge for tasting, then sell you wine at full retail without applying the tasting fee – however small – toward your purchase.)

This wine is a blend of 64% Pinot Gris and 36% Sauvignon Blanc – a mixture we wouldn’t have thought of combining. The nose is perfumey and slightly medicinal. The tastes are of mushrooms, sourdough starter, and baked apple. This seems like a well-made wine that just didn’t really appeal to our taste preferences. Maybe. $14.50

Wines for Comfort in the (Financial) Storm

It’s coming up toward the season for holiday dinners, sharing wines, and watching your portfolio’s meltdown. To help you make it through the financial storm, especially at this time of year, we present our suggestions for the best Financial Comfort Wines. These are wines that are soft and soothing, yet are also affordable (especially affordable). They have some depth to them, much more so than light, fruity, summer sipping wines. All are readily available and under $10 (either regular retail or so frequently on sale that you shouldn’t have any problem finding them for less than $10). Even an inexpensive wine can make you feel rich, or at least happy. (We have previously reviewed many of these wines – see our archives for specific reviews.)

REDS
Columbia Crest Syrah – Washington
Fruity, smoky, goes down easy.

Ravenswood Zinfandel – California
Full, dark, spicy, and fruity.

Red Diamond Syrah – Washington
Plums, black cherries, depth.

Bernard Griffin Cabernet-Merlot – Washington
Filling to go with winter stews and chilis.

WHITES
B&G Vouvray – France
A white with weight, but lots of character.

Columbia Crest Pinot Grigio – Washington
Fresh, yet depth to match with food.

A-Z Pinot Gris – Oregon
Smooth, easy drinking, but firm structure.

SPARKLING
Cristalino Rose Cava – Spain
Not big, not serious, just fun.

A-Z Pinot Gris 2006 – Oregon

This is a “halfway” Pinot Grigio. It’s not the Junior Chardonnay style, but neither is it dry and crisp. Floral and pear on the nose. Tastes more toward the crisp style (our preference), with notes of dried pears and ripe apples. Yes. $10

[Update: As previously mentioned, if we find a wine rated elsewhere, we will note those ratings – but only after we write our reviews. This received an 89 from Wine Spectator.]

Columbia Winery Pinot Gris 2006 – Washington

Pinot Gris is the name more frequently used in Washington and (especially) Oregon than Pinot Grigio. Still, it’s the same grape, just like Syrah (California or France) and Shiraz (Australia) are the same. This has a buttery and citrus nose. It tastes rather “thick,” with grapefruit and some butter, and a tiny bit of nutmeg spice, with a smooth finish. Yes for Francesca, Maybe for Ken. $10 on sale.

Vin du Lac of Chelan “Grisant” Pinot Gris 2006 – Washington

This was a challenging one for us. Fresh from the fridge, this tasted like the bastard love child of a Riesling and a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. While we like both Rieslings and Sauvignon Blancs, this wasn’t a spectacular combo. As the wine warmed a bit, it developed flavors of grapefruit and a “creamy” citrus. The nose is floral, citrus, and buttery. Francesca liked it more as it opened up in the glass, while for Ken this went more toward the Pinot Grigio style he doesn’t much care for – sort of like a Junior Chardonnay. If your tastes run toward this style, worth sampling. Despite our tastebuds, this is still a well-made wine. Maybe/No for us. $15 on sale, usually $22.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris 2006 – Washington

Floral and citrus nose. Tastes of melon, tangerine, and a touch of creaminess. This is why Ken hadn’t been too excited about Pinot Grigio (same wine and grape as Pinot Gris) in the past – a “good enough” wine but nothing special. A Maybe for Ken, Yes for Francesca. $9 on sale (usually about $15).

Estancia Pinot Grigio 2006 – California

This nice wine starts with a nose of lemon and fresh thyme. The tastes come on as lemon, with a tiny touch of honey (taste, not sweetness). Some nice acidity, even a little “tingle” on the tongue. Yes (maybe a House after a second tasting). $9

Pan-Seared Salmon with Teriyaki Sauce; Mushroom Saffron Risotto; Pinot Grigio

DINNER
We eat salmon a lot, and in a lot of different ways. We also make our quick homemade Teriyaki sauce, which is:

• Soy sauce or Tamari
• Sake or dry white wine
• Maple syrup
• Crushed garlic
• Crushed ginger
• Mix equal parts of soy, wine, and maple syrup; add garlic and ginger to taste.

Salmon
We like salmon cooked pretty lightly, so we first sear it skin-side down in olive oil. As soon as the skin side begins to get pink, we flip the filet over, peel off the skin, and cook the second side for another minute or two. We add a splash of the Teriyaki just before the fish is finished, then remove and plate the salmon. We add the rest of the Teriyaki sauce to the pan, to heat it and reduce it a bit. Drizzle some sauce over salmon, and serve the rest on the side.

Risotto
Risotto rice is cooked differently from Japanese or Chinese rice.

• Soak a pinch of saffron threads in a tablespoon or two of warm water.
• Sauté sliced mushrooms and set aside.
• Sauté some finely chopped onion in butter.
• Add dry Risotto rice to onions in pan and coat the rice with the butter.
• Add saffron and its soaking liquid, and a quarter cup or so of white wine.
• Add warmed vegetable or chicken stock a quarter or half cup at a time, and wait for rice to absorb all the liquid before adding more.
• When rice is fully cooked, add the mushrooms.

WINE
A Columbia Crest Pinot Grigio (previously reviewed) went perfectly with the smoky and smooth tastes of both the risotto and the salmon.

Campanile Pinot Grigio Friuli 2005 – Italy

Nose of ripe apple, melon. Conversely, crisp taste overwhelmingly of lemon; nice acidity. This is a “nice” wine that just doesn’t develop any depth or real character. Maybe. $9

Columbia Crest Pinot Grigio 2006 – Washington

Floral nose; tangerines and mild spice on the taste. Another “good surprise” Pinot Grigio for Ken (see previous entry of Stone Cellars Pinot Grigio on Nov 21). We’d love to see just a tiny bit more acidity on the finish; nonetheless, a House/Yes. $9 on sale (usually about $13).

Stone Cellars Pinot Grigio

Stone Cellars (Beringer) Pinot Grigio 2005 – California
For a long time Ken had a prejudice against Pinot Grigio, considering them flabby, boring, and just “white wine.” Francesca kept bugging him to try some. This is a pleasant wine, with some orange/citrus on the nose, and light tastes of pineapple. A bit of acidity makes it crisp. A Yes wine. $8