Ep 273 – Oregon Wine Beyond Pinot Noir: The Regions, Grapes & Wines You Need to Know with Samantha Cole-Johnson

Think Oregon is all about Pinot Noir? Think again.

In this episode I'm joined by Samantha Cole-Johnson, Senior US Editor at JancisRobinson.com and the Master of Wine student who achieved the highest mark in the world in Stage One of the notoriously challenging MW programme, to uncover the side of Oregon that most people never discover.

From cross-border wine regions that ignore state lines to savoury Syrah grown on basalt cobblestones, richer styles of Pinot Gris and a brand-new sparkling wine movement, this episode will completely change the way you think about Oregon.

Along the way, we also discuss what the future of wine might look like - and why the biggest challenge facing the wine industry may have nothing to do with wine itself.

You'll discover why the Rocks District produces some of America's most distinctive Syrah, why Oregon's Pinot Gris deserves far more attention, how Method Oregon is putting the state's sparkling wines on the map, and the producers and wine regions that should be firmly on your travel wishlist.

So, if you're ready to look beyond Pinot Noir, pour yourself a glass, sit back, and enjoy this episode.

Shownotes

03:05 – Learning how to communicate wine — how Samantha’s experience in cellars, formal study and wine journalism shaped the way she tastes, writes and speaks about wine today.

05:54 – Do state lines matter in wine? — why geographical boundaries rarely determine wine style, but can have important legal and commercial consequences for producers.

06:53 – Understanding the Columbia Gorge — how rainfall and temperature change dramatically from west to east across this cross-border Oregon and Washington AVA.

08:36 – Visiting the Columbia Gorge — why Portland makes an ideal starting point for exploring its wineries, cycling trails, breweries and famous windsurfing.

09:26 – Inside the Rocks District — what makes this tiny Oregon AVA’s basalt cobblestones and distinctive soils unlike almost anywhere else in the United States.