Wine of the Week 3/16/21

Foris Winery Pinot Gris 2019

Regularly $18.99/On Sale for $14.96

In 1974, Ted Gerber, owner of Foris Vineyards, began growing grapes in southern Oregon's remote Illinois Valley, and in 1978, he started selling them commercially to wineries across the Pacific Northwest. Then in 1986, Foris began producing their own wine.  Stephanie Pao is the current winemaker.

Other farmers had passed up Gerber’s land due to significant problems with frost being a known problem in the area. Gerber and his team addressed this issue with sprinklers, wind machines, and other techniques, “which made it possible for us to grow grapes in an area where there was no history of grape production previously,” Gerber says.  Alsatian varietals like Pinot Gris are also particularly suitable for this micro-climate.

The 2019 Pinot Gris was harvested in early morning cool temperatures in early October, whole cluster pressed into tanks. After settling for two days, the juice was racked off solids and fermented in stainless steel to capture the bright fresh fruit character.

This wine has crackling acidity enveloped in bright, fresh fruit.  It’s a beautiful accompaniment to nearly any meal, and it’s offered for the next two weeks at a staggeringly good price!