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the Week

By Chuck Hill

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Wines of the Week
Published:  March 10, 2008

More Great Wines for Oysters and Mussels By Chuck Hill

Part Two (Part one) (Part Three)

With more shucking and slurping under our belts we present another great selection of wines to accompany half shell oysters and steamed mussels. Some choices from outside the Northwest prove that great shellfish wines can also come from distant sources.

Ponzi Vineyards
2006 Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley
$17.00

This terrific Pinot Gris is a blend of wines from a half dozen different vineyards and offers complex aromas of mineral, citrus and spice. The palate is bright with pear and light fig flavors and a crisp finish. Superb with oysters!

Di Stefano
2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Columbia Valley
$15.00

The current vintage of this wine is sold out at the winery but the 2007 will be released later in the spring. Floral and citrus aromas lead to a crisp palate that is a great match with oysters. Also look for DiStefano Semillon, a slightly richer wine that pairs well with mussels.

Three Rivers
2006 Meritage White Wine
Columbia Valley
$19.00

This is a very rich white wine blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon. The complex aroma is of spicy pear, earth and light vanilla. The palate is rich with pear, melon and creamy vanilla from the barrel fermentation and sur lie aging. The wine overpowers a really delicate oyster but is a great pairing for steamed mussels.


 

Simi Winery
2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Sonoma County, CA
$15.00

The combination of light melon, grassy, mineral and citrus character with a pleasantly low alcohol content make this Sauvignon Blanc a perfect choice for half shell oysters.

Dryland
2007 Dry Riesling
Marlborough, NZ
$15.00

The grassy and gooseberry aromas of this New Zealand wine combines with a crisp palate of citrus, fruity melon and green apple to make a superb oyster wine. Include this wine in your oyster wine tasting for variety and international style.

Kiona Vineyards and Winery
2006 Dry Riesling
Red Mountain
$15.00

This dry Riesling offers more familiar fruit to Northwest wine drinkers. Look for tempting aromas of apple, Asian pear and baking spice. The palate is crisp and offers flavors of white peach and green apple. Great with oysters or steamed mussels.

Estancia
2006 Chardonnay
Monterey County, Pinnacles Ranches
$12.00

One great match with oysters is citrus aromas and flavors. Estancia Chardonnay offers bright lemon and green apple aroma with a touch of toasty oak. Flavors of citrusy stone fruits and tropical notes lead to a crisp finish that complements oysters very well.

Cascadia Winery
2006 Chardonnay
Columbia Valley
$16.00

Alan Yanagimachi learned his winemaking skills at UC Davis then honed them with a decade of working at well-known wineries here and abroad. His 2006 Chardonnay offers aromas of apple and vanilla with hints of mineral. The palate has citrus flavors with complementary notes of lemon and baking spice. Great with oysters and mussels!

Wineglass Cellars
2006 Chardonnay
$15.00

This no-oak Chardonnay is a great pairing with half shell oysters. Look for a nose of tropical fruits, pears and mineral. Flavors of white peaches, pears and light earthy/mineral make a great foil for shellfish.

Brian Carter Cellars
2006 Oriana
Yakima Valley
$24.00

The flavors of fresh oysters and steamed mussels are complex and so are those found in this delicious white wine blend from Brian Carter. Composed of Viognier, Roussanne and Riesling, Oriana offers bright aromas of stone fruits, apple and citrus with floral and honey notes. The palate is rich with fruit flavors that echo the nose yet finishes with crisp acidity.

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