What a terrific event the Willamette Valley Wineries Association hosted this afternoon for members of the wine media and trade. I was fortunate to be one of several hundred folks who enjoyed sampling some of Oregon's finest wines from over fifty producers. Tonight's sold out consumer tasting event is expected to draw over 450 attendees.

Many wineries were represented by owners and/or winemakers themselves, which offered a great opportunity to connect with the people and learn more about how each wine was crafted. Best of all, the WVWA provided each attendee with a tasting booklet detailing who was there and what wines were being poured, which offered a great tool to jot down impressions and other notes about each wine.

This was very well organized and executed event. It offered a terrific opportunity to expand one's frame of reference on Oregon wine, not only with pinot noir, but also with pinot gris, pinot blanc, chardonnay, riesling, and gewurztraminer. As a result of this event, I was able to sample a variety of new releases from the '07 and '08 vintages that I will definitely be purchasing in the weeks ahead. These new wines include:

Amity '07 Dry Gewurztraminer Willamette Valley
Anam Cara '08 Nicholas Estate Riesling Chehalem Mountains
Belle Pente '07 Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
Belle Pente '06 Belle Pente Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton
Bethel Heights '08 Estate Grown Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills
Boedecker '08 Purity Chardonnay Willamette Valley
Brooks '07 Janus Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
The Eyrie Vineyards '07 Estate Pinot Gris Dundee Hills
The Eyrie Vineyards '08 Estate Reserve Chardonnay Dundee Hills
Methven '08 Riesling Eola-Amity Hills
Methven '08 Pinot Gris Eola-Amity Hills
Roco '08 Chardonnay Willamette Valley
Solena '08 Grand Cuvee Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Solena '07 Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir McMinnville
Stangeland '08 Pinot Gris Eola-Amity Hills
Stoller '07 SV Estate Chardonnay Dundee Hills
Thistle '07 Chardonnay Dundee Hills
Westrey '08 Justice Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills
Winter's Hills '07 Estate Pinot Blanc Dundee Hills

Beyond these mentions, you won't find me sharing any specific impressions of wines sampled today. As other bloggers have spoken out recently (see here and here), I don't believe in rating or reviewing wine through a quick sip, swirl and spit method as is commonly practiced at tasting events.

Consumers should cast a wary eye on these types of reviews, unless of course one's enjoyment of wine is only comprised of sipping, swirling and spitting. For me, I like to drink wine, rather than taste it. And preferably with a meal.

There will be some Oregon wines that I tasted today that may not be to my liking weeks from now when assessed with a meal. Or it may be that I missed a few wines that didn't show well at the tasting, but would be quite good alongside dinner at my table.

Regardless, these types of events do have merit by offering a broad spectrum of wines to taste in a single setting, while helping to identify new wines or old favorites to buy/try again later.

Finally, it's really cool to see the reception Oregon wines received this afternoon by those attending. I look forward to hearing what consumers thought of the evening's tasting event and their impressions of what the Willamette Valley has to offer. Please share your experiences through the comment form below.

Related Links
My Recommended List of Oregon Wines