Plan a route, pace yourself when you are wine tasting
Question: With so many wineries in our area, how do you decide which ones to visit?
Answer: Word of mouth. The majority of wineries we have visited, we have visited because someone suggested we go there. A lot of times the suggestions come from other wineries. The reason we decided to visit Left Coast, which I love, is because the people at both Bethel Heights and Firesteed suggested we go check it out. Wineries often have the best suggestions on which places to hit.
We usually plan our route around the winery that was suggested, hitting one or two nearby. Most of the wineries have maps of vineyards and wineries in the area.
Q: What are your favorite wineries?
A: I'm in my festive mood now, so I think Argyle, with it's phenomenal sparkling wines, is my favorite. For fall colors you can't beat Sokol Blosser and finally, holidays call for a little loosening of the belt, so Archery Summit with its "out of this world pinots" would be my splurge favorite.
Q: Why are they your favorites?
A: A lot of the times I like the wineries for their view and the people that work at them. The ones above are all beautiful wineries with spectacular views and yummy wines.
Q: How many wineries do suggest visiting in a one-day outing?
A: It seems three is the limit for me. When I go to a winery I like to visit with the people serving the wine and get to know about the winery and their wines. I am not one to imbibe before noon, most tasting rooms close at five and some as early as 4 p.m. So hitting three in a day is usually the limit. Although, I was told your palate is at its best at 11 a.m. I just can't see my self tasting wine that early.
Q: How do you keep from getting too tipsy too soon?
A: Eat, eat, eat. Drink lots of water and pace yourself. Share tastings. If you like the wine, buy a bottle and take it home to drink. Diane Stevenson and I always bring along something to eat. Always some kind of bread, cheese and fruit.
Q: I've heard that it's not rude to spit out wine but I've never actually seen anyone do it, is it OK to do that?
A: It isn't rude. I just can't bring myself to spit. Maybe one of the days I will become a full-fledged spitter.
Read Lori Cain's Wine Tours blog and watch her videos at willamettevalleywines.com
Lori Cain
Q&A