If you are a regular reader of this column, you know my views on expensive wine: some deserve the big price tags they command. However, I’ve also pointed out more than once that when you’re living on a budget – as most of us are – it makes no sense to pay those prices as long as there are so many options available on the lower-end of the price scale. In other words, you could pay $100 for a bottle of great wine, but you can pay $10-$15 and still get a very good bottle.
That leaves me with a bit of a problem. As someone interested in wine, who writes about wine and who teaches classes about wine, I’m supposed to know about wines at both ends of the price range. But if I’m only willing to pay for the affordable ones, how do I evaluate the ones at the upper end of the scale? This is a particular problem in Oregon. I live here, so I should be familiar with the wines. However, Oregon is known its pinot noir – a notoriously expensive wine.
Recently, my husband surprised me for my birthday with the perfect solution: A full Saturday of wine tasting in the world-renowned Dundee Hills region, south of Portland and just three hours away from Central Oregon.
That leaves me with a bit of a problem. As someone interested in wine, who writes about wine and who teaches classes about wine, I’m supposed to know about wines at both ends of the price range. But if I’m only willing to pay for the affordable ones, how do I evaluate the ones at the upper end of the scale? This is a particular problem in Oregon. I live here, so I should be familiar with the wines. However, Oregon is known its pinot noir – a notoriously expensive wine.
Recently, my husband surprised me for my birthday with the perfect solution: A full Saturday of wine tasting in the world-renowned Dundee Hills region, south of Portland and just three hours away from Central Oregon.
