Page 122 - SOM_FALL_2020_FLIPBOOK

chow | vino

STYLISTIC

DIFFERENCES

It is challenging to try to take an easy
snapshot of the diversity of Pinots
produced in Oregon, but Boskov
was willing to take a gander. In the
Willamette Valley, “You can really
geek out in the Willamette Valley as
the grape has been the major variety
planted since the late-60s and nested-
AVAs have been recognized since the
mid-2000s.” In the burgeoning wine
regions of Southern Oregon, she adds
that, “Pinot Noirs are planted at higher
elevations here and the combination
of high elevation and…[a] warm dry
growing season results in [wines] with
both fresh fruit and vibrant acidity.”
Keller concurs about the quality of the
wines being produced in the Southern
part of the state. “We have some new
players here in Southern Oregon that
are also doing a nice job. Both Irvine
& Roberts and Dancin Vineyards are
producing some fine Pinot Noir in the
Rogue Valley.”
Jones at Linfield finds it hard to put
together an easy description for each
of the state’s growing regions. “One
might find some stylistic differences
in the warmer versus cooler regions,
or bright versus darker fruits, but it is
really hard to categorize wine in easily
definable groups.” He adds, “Currently
winemakers are still finding the range
of styles that can be produced here.”
The more the merrier, as a growing
range of Pinot Noir styles will only
give wine professionals—and the
consumers that love them—more to
debate and discuss.

Photo provided by Travel Southern Oregon

120 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2020