Mt Hood Wine Shopping

Finding the Perfect Oregon Wine

Serve with a Special Mt. Hood Holiday Meal.

While visiting Mt Hood during the holidays, many visitors prepare a classic holiday feast for their families and friends.  Oregon Vineyards offer a bounty of wonderful wines that will pair beautifully with your holiday dinner. 

We contacted local wine aficionados, Tom Anderson, owner and sommelier of the Rendezvous Grill & Tap Room & Dale Rasmussen, Award-Winning Executive Chef at The Resort at The Mountain for their recommendations.  Tom suggests that you try different wines to see what you like; the Oregon 2002, 2003 and 2004 vintages are all good and the 2005 whites are ready now.  Start with less expensive wines for your cocktail hour, then move on to the finer wines to enjoy with your holiday meal.  You can purchase these and many other great wines in the Villages of Mt Hood at Welches Thriftway or Mt Hood Food & General in Rhododendron (locally referred to as “The Rhody Store”).

Roast Turkey Dinner
Dale suggests the Eola Hills 2004 Merlot -“Rich, smoky plum characteristics on the nose yield to cherry, cassis and barrel elements on the palate.”- $10.88 at Thriftway

Tom prefers a Pinot Noir with turkey; it compliments the flavors found in cranberry relish and sweet potatoes nicely.  Try the Willamette Valley 2004 Pinot Noir – “Vibrant aromas of black cherries, brown sugar, spices, rose petals, vanilla and typical ‘Pinot noir dust’.” - $22.99 at Thriftway

Honey Baked Ham
Dale & Tom both suggest an off-dry more fruity Gewurtzaminer or Pinot Gris to compliment the sweetness of the ham.  Try the Rex Hill 2005 Pinot Gris – “mineral, yellow plum & vanilla, rich & expressive with a wonderfully long finish” - $18.99 at Thriftway or the Adelsheim 2005 Pinot Gris – “crisp and bright with peach, apple and pear fruit, and just a hint of spice” - $16.49 at Thriftway.  For your cocktail wine, try the Duck Pond 2005 Pinot Gris – “peach, vanilla and lime, opulent mouth feel and gorgeous fresh-fruit palate” - $12.99 at The Rhody Store.

If you prefer a red wine, Tom likes the Eola Hills 2004 Merlot.

Rack of Lamb
Both Tom & Dale preferred a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel with lamb.
Try the Eola Hills 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon – ” aged a year and a half in American Oak and bottled unfiltered, shows blueberries and raspberries. Easy drinking with a soft finish.” - $10.88 at Thriftway

Or the Eola Hills 2003 Lodi Zinfandel – ”with soft rich tannins, this wine was barrel-aged in older American Oak for one year, makes a great companion for roasts, grilled game and turkey.” $14.33 at Thriftway

Standing Rib Roast
Both Tom & Dale like a rich full-bodied Pinot Noir with beef.  Try the Willamette Valley 2004 Pinot Noir or the Sokol Blosser 2003 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir “aromas and flavors are of black cherry, violets, leather, cola, licorice and mocha, the tannins are smooth, soft and supple, and the finish is plush and long” - $29.99 at Thriftway.
The roast will also stand up to any Cab, such as the Eola Hills 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sparkling Wines
Both Tom & Dale are big fans of the Argyle 2001 Brut – “peach with apricot fruit that flows into double baked wheat cracker yeast, then on into pear tart-vanilla creme. The flavor is multi-tiered and extraordinarily long.”  $25.33 at Thriftway.

Dale reminds us that these are just recommendations.  “Do what you’re comfortable with.  Don’t be intimidated by wine; if you want a white wine with beef, go for it.  Because after all it’s just a bunch of rotten grapes.”

Welches Thriftway, Hoodland Plaza, 503-622-3244

Mt Hood Food & General, 73265 E Hwy 26, 503-622-4652

November/December 2006

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