Virtual Happy Hour: Willamette Valley (OR) vs Russian River Valley (CA) Comparative Tasting

You are invited you to join AFHE for a Virtual Wine Tasting to celebrate the conclusion of our Virtual Fall Conference. We’ll conduct a comparison of two close rival wine producing regions, the Willamette Valley of Oregon versus the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. We will taste 4 different wines, two whites and two reds from each region, selected for quality-price ratio and availability. We'll discuss the different qualities of the grape varietals and the different wine producing traditions for each region. Attendees are encouraged to purchase their own wine in advance to participate in the tasting. We will be tasting the following wines (all retailing between $17 and $27) and plan to have a guest on the phone from one of the Primary Choice producers:

WHITE: Oregon produces several white varieties including Pinot Gris, but for a better comparison to the Russian River Valley, we’ll try a Chardonnay from both regions. This will be a fun exercise in detecting the key differences in flavor characteristics and minerality.

• Primary Choice for Oregon, Featured in Tasting: Averaen Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Secondary Choices if Primary Choice Not Available:
• • A to Z Chardonnay
  • Acrobat
  • Phelps Creek
• Upgrades if desired:
• • Bergstrom
  • Adelsheim

• Primary Choice for Russian River Valley, Featured in Tasting: Rodney Strong Chalk Hill
• Secondary Options if Primary Unavailable:
• • Laguna
  • Frei Brothers
  • Davis Bynum
  • Jordan
  • Raeburn
  • DeLoach
• Upgrades if desired:
• • Benovia
  • Dutton Goldfield
  • Walter Hansel Estate
  • Walter Hansel North Slope
  • Rodney Strong Reserve

RED: As Miles (from Sideways) has so eloquently described, Pinot Noir is a delicate grape that rewards special attention. These two valleys, the Willamette and Russian River, produce much of the best Pinot Noir in the Western Hemisphere.

• Primary Choice for Willamette Valley, Oregon, Featured in Tasting: Averaen Pinot Noir

• Secondary Options if Primary Unavailable:
• • A to Z
  • Pinot Envy

• Upgrades if desired:
• • La Crema
  • Bergstrom
  • Erath

• Primary Choice for Russian River Valley, Featured in Tasting: Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

• Secondary Alternatives if Primary Not Available:
• • McMurray Ranch
  • Mossback
  • Angeline

• Upgrades if desired:
• • Benovia
  • Merry Edwards
  • Walter Hansel South Slope
  • Walter Hansel Cahill Lane

Click here to download Michael Whitty's tastings notes for the wine tasting.

SPEAKER:

AFHE President Michael Whitty will be joined by Sommelier Ryan Arnold  to lead the discussion for the Willamette Valley versus Russian River Valley Comparative Wine Tasting. Michael and Ryan worked together to choose the wines, and Ryan will help provide some wine industry background and (if they remain available) bring on a spokesperson from one of the wineries. Registrants will receive a PDF of Mike’s advance tasting notes.

Podcast: The Grape Nation, Episode 51 featuring Ryan Arnold

Podcast: The Sunday Scaries (Sept 29, 2019), featuring Ryan Arnold

Interview with Ryan Arnold

REGISTRATION FEES:

There is no charge to participate in this webinar, but pre-registration is required.

WEBINAR ACCESS INFORMATION:

Registered participants will receive the link to access the Zoom webinar the day prior to the program.