Monday, January 30, 2017

Wine on Mars

Given what I know about grape vines, if anything can grow in the red Martian bleakness, it's Grenache.

Back on Earth, and here in Oregon, this grape has found a happy home. 

This photo is of what I believe to be Grenache vines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, in the Southern Rhone wine region of France. 

The vine is smart.  Some see barren fruitless land, the vine sees the warmth from the rocks at night after a long day in the Provencal Sun.

And so it goes here in our favored wine region.  The vine has made a home here and continues to provide amazing fruit for us wine explorers to enjoy.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Farm Fresh


Lest we forget, wine is a farm product.  Any winery will tell you that the wine is made in the vineyard.  Where that vineyard is located is key to understanding the final product.

When the vine and the land come together in a harmonious way you get a premium wine.  An example would be the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where Pinot Noir has found its New World home.

The French call this land/vine harmony "terroir."  Basically this is the "place" of the vineyard.  This idea gets extended when referring to wine regions, or in the USA; AVA ( American Viticultural Area)

Here in the Bear Creek Valley (Rogue AVA) and the Applegate AVA you can enjoy the wide variety of grapes that are happy to make their home here, not being limited to just Pinot Noir.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

The Wine Explorer

What is your image of "wine country?"  Immpressive Chateau?  Maybe Cypress lined lanes?  Palm trees swaying in the wind?  Or perhaps, snow covered mountain peaks?

You may be surprised that I've been describing the Rogue/Applegate Valley AVA's!  This somewhat obscure oasis of wine country beauty is waiting for you to discover.  You will not be disappointed.

Wine travel is a passion of mine and it finds me in many different locals, yet they all share that vibrance of Nature that produces world-class wines.  Cheers!

Monday, January 16, 2017

Viognier: Oregon's Answer to Chardonnay

It's nice to see that there is a good selection of Viognier here in SO.  As a fan of Rhone wines, this is good news.  The more opportunities to sample a splash of this refreasing grape is a plus.

What better way  to immerse oneself in this varietal than visit the "home land" of its origins: The Rhone Valley in France.  I am offering to plan and implement the visit.

I have been to France on 12 different occasions to a healthy list of French wine regions, including Bordeaux, Languedoc, Alsace, Burgundy, Dordongne.

Check out my tour to the Rhone Valley; http://splashwinetours.com/france.html

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Splash Wine

Cantavida Reserve Carménère 2013   Serendipity: Drinking a wine from Splash Wines of Chili. Cantavida Reserve Carménère 2013.  You can't always drink the "good stuff"...this is a nice full-boded red for everyday.  Amd at a very attractive price of $5 at Grocery Outlet in Medford, OR.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Applegate & Rogue Valley Wine Tours


I'm excited to soon be offering my wine tours of the Rogue/Applegate wine regions here in Southern Oregon.

I started my wine tours back in 2007 in the Umpqua Valley AVA, and now I am located in Ashland,OR. Take advantage of my years of being a wine guide. 


Unlike other tour companies I am the sole employee.  I have a passion for wine and our wonderful Oregon wines.  Enjoy the wine country from my 15-passanger touring van, with large windows to take in the scenery.  Wine starts in the vineyard.  My tours emphasize the connection between land and wine!

Please take a minute and check out my website:
www.splashwinetours.com