Fact: Riesling is the greatest white wine ever, and Oregon is making better and better Rieslings. In celebration, Teutonic Wine is hosting I Love Riesling this Saturday (July 14), featuring 12 local winemakers. (If you have preconceptions of Riesling, ditch them right now! It’s a wonderful, versatile wine, ranging from bone dry to beautiful, golden […]
MJ Skegg
Posted inFood and Drink
The Simple Sandwich
In Search of a Proper British Cheese ’N’ Pickle
England, where I grew up, isn’t generally known for its contributions to culinary progress. It is, however, the origin of the sandwich as we know it today. The story goes that in the 18th century, the Earl of Sandwich was at a gaming table for 24 hours, but didn’t want to step away and eat. […]
Posted inFood and Drink
This Weekend, Try Some Hard-to-Find Wines at the Uncommon Wine Festival
This weekend, Dayton’s Vista Hills Winery is hosting its Uncommon Wine Festival. Now in its ninth year, it’ll be a chance to sample some great wines from Oregon’s small producers—or micro producers, as the likes of Joyful Noise make wine from just a ton of grapes. Other winemakers in attendance will include a Cheerful Note, […]
Posted inLiquor/Wine/Beer
The Enchantment (and Occasional Bummer) of Old Wine
Old Wine, Expectations, and One Big Disappointment
Old wine, expectations, and one big disappointment
Posted inFood and Drink
New Natural Wine Bars, Part IV: Good Looking Enoteca
[This is the final part of a short series on Portland’s new wine bars.—eds] There’s been a lot of excitement about the look of Enoteca, the new wine bar that’s an offshoot of Nostrana—it’s even been compared to a “Las Vegas club.” It certainly signals a break from the Portland monoculture—there aren’t acres of reclaimed […]
Posted inFood and Drink
New Natural Wine Bars, Part III: Get Your Sardine Head On
Wine and fish: The essence of Sardine Head [This is the third part of a short series on Portland’s new wine bars.—eds] Taking over SweeDeeDee after hours Friday to Sunday, Sardine Head bill themselves as “Portland’s first natural wine dive bar.” That’s stretching it a bit, as it’s far too pleasant in SweeDeeDee for a […]
Posted inFood and Drink
New Natural Wine Bars, Part II: Let’s Go Find Ardor
Co-owner Victor Martinez with some natural wine (Psst! This is the second part of a short series on Portland’s new wine bars.—eds.) I always liked the idea of Ardor, a natural wine bar run by two enthusiasts who took over the Red E Café in the twilight hours. The space was ill fitting, though. Too […]
Posted inFood and Drink
New Natural Wine Bars, Part I: Here Comes Bar Norman
Bar Norman now. It’s gonna look different in July Portland is having a natural wine moment. (Not sure what natural wine is? Start reading my columns!) While it’s been possible to get the stuff around town (a shout out to Pairings bottle shop, which has been devoted to natural wine for years), there’s never been […]
Posted inLiquor/Wine/Beer
Arden Wine Bar & Kitchen and the Interplay of Flavors
With a Four-Course Prix-fixe Menu, Arden Finds the Right Symbioses Between Food and Pairing
With a four-course prix-fixe menu, Arden finds the right symbioses between food and pairing.
Posted inFood and Drink
Digging Deep
The Art of Hunting and Preparing Truffles
I’m on my knees in a damp woodland, hands in the dirt. Scraping away at the soil beneath a tree, I feel something between my fingers. I rub the dirt off—but it’s not what I’m looking for. It’s not a truffle. My guide, a Labrador named Gucci, is brought back to check the area. She […]
Posted inLiquor/Wine/Beer
From Underdog to Idol: Getting to Know Gamay in 10 Chapters
Show Some Love for Gamay
Show some love for Gamay.
Posted inLiquor/Wine/Beer
Thinking Too Hard About Pét-nats
Meet Champagne’s Hip, Naturally Sparkling Younger Sister
Meet Champagne’s hip, naturally sparkling younger sister.