Wineries of the Pacific Northwest is a perfect glove compartment or purse-sized guide to the rapidly burgeoning roster of Oregon wineries. If you are planning to visit Oregon, you need this book!One of my children recently became interested in moving to Oregon, so I naturally began to wonder about what else there was to see that I had missed on previous trips. I tend to get to the mountains, Crater Lake, great golf courses and to see the algae harvest at Klamath Lake.
Naturally, I've enjoyed visiting wineries all over California, but I've never visited one in Oregon. What a pleasant surprise it was to find this excellent guide.
In 1990, Oregon had 71 wineries. Now there are more than 190 and the number is growing. Oregon ranks second in the U.S. for numbers of wineries and fourth for production.
The state's wineries are conveniently combined into four potential tasting tours. Two are for one day . . . and the one that intrigues me is for 2 to three days. So you could space this out to occupy a tasty week.
For each winery, you get the address, directions, hours, the names of the owners, winemakers and helpful people who work there. In addition, you find out about what Ms. Tadevich's favorite wines were to taste. The book is beautifully illustrated with a combination of photographs, maps and artistic renderings of the locales.
If you don't know much about wine, the basics are explained in the book in reference to the wines of Oregon. You will find out how to read a label, taste a wine, and what foods go well with each wine. There are also references to places to stay and eat, since only one of the wineries has a restaurant in it.
While many wine guides tend to be on the snooty side, this one is very friendly and recounts the fine experiences of speaking with the people who work at the wineries.
You will also find places to make notes on what you thought of the wines so you can order them again after you visit is over.
Oregon is a wonderful place to visit, so make plans to go there and take this guide along with you!
Where else have you not yet tasted wines? I found the experience of eating chocolates filled with champagne in France to be a tasty way to cool off with a little snack. I had no idea such tidbits existed until I went there. You probably also have nice surprises ahead.
