...I tasted a sh*t load of wines.

Knowing that my time left in Portland has become precariously short, I took advantage of Memorial Day weekend to recruit some friends for a 7 hour wine-tasting bonanza in the prestigious Willamette Valley-Home of the Pinot Noir.

We came. We saw. We drank. We conquered.
7 Wineries. 1 Sake Brewery.

And yes, I ate half that cheese plate. You would too if it was Double Cream Gouda from Holland paired with "G" Joy Sake, Shepherds Cheese from Basque paired with Momokawa Diamond sake, and Blue Stilton with Hazelnuts from England paired with Moonstone Asian Pear sake.

Favorite Wines:
Siltstone 2006 Pinot Gris - bright & lively, taste of the tropics, grapefruit/citrus, white peach & apricot.

Purple Hands 2005 Oregon Red Wine - just plain good and bold.

Nysa 2004 Pinot Noir - Dark cherry & dusty raspberry. Bold aroma, silky texture, reminiscent of raspberry hard candy, but not overly sweet.

Symbion 1997 Syrah by Steve Doerner - 10 year aged Syrah. Fantastic! Strong cherry aromas, bold taste/clean finish.

Thistle Wines - Pinot Noir 2004 - Hands down best Pinot Noir tasted...then again I am by no means a connoisseur, so whatever. I loved it.

*Big Bang for you Buck* Kramer Vineyards - Pinot Noir 2004 Heritage, Pinot Gris 2004, Carmine Big Red 2004 and Pinot Noir Port 2004 (delectable) Most bottles under $30.

Montinore Estate - Gewuerztraminer 2006, Estate Reserve Pinot Gris (think of apple crisp), Parsons' Ridge Pinot Noir 2005 (easy drinking), Pinot Noir Port multi-year (damn good for only $18 a bottle).

SakeOne (saa-ke ohn-no) - "G" served cold. Layers of flavors that develop on your tongue with floral and fruity undertones. Clean and crisp taste.