Wide selection of fine wines, including kosher wines.You dream in shades of burgundy. To you, sexy legs are the ones that coat the side of glass, streaking the fine crystal with signs of viscosity. A nose is less a prominent feature on a face, but more so the fruit and spice characteristics that waft up from the glass, enrapturing your heart as well as your olfactory system. Age refers not to how many years you have tucked under your worn belt, but the length of time from creation you’ve been able to save that special bottle until it’s reached its moment of perfection, when you share it those you hope will appreciate it.
Traveling the world and tasting the finest in wine and food
is a part of your lifestyle, yet you want to learn more… you seek out knowledge
in order to better understand the luscious liquid that fills your glass. Maybe
you’ve read about soils, have an inkling of terrior, visit various regions by
way of jet plane (or your local wine shop), readily absorb cues from the wine with respect to
aromas, textures, flavors… yes, clearly you’ve been bitten by the Pinot Noir
bug.
If any of the above description resonates with you, chances
are you may have already signed up for this year’s International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC), a showcase for both the world’s finest Pinot noir and the
Northwest’s farm-to-table style of cuisine. If you’re new to wine and food appreciation,
perhaps the extravaganza has yet to enter your field of vision. If the latter
is your story (or it you're still busy figuring out your summer plans), I have one piece of advice: Pull out your bucket list and add this to the top, now (if it’s not yet sold out that is).
Preeminent winemakers, wine lovers, educators, revered regional chefs
and epicureans from all over the globe will gather together in McMinnville Oregon
for the 26th annual event that is the absolute foremost in wine
weekends. This year’s IPNC, scheduled to take place July 27-29, will land you
smack dab in the heart of Oregon wine country exploring everything Pinot noir
for three full days. With featured wineries from the North America, Europe and
the Southern Hemisphere, this is your rare chance to taste them all
side-by-side and get to know them all intimately. Enjoy vineyard tours, a grand
seminar by Burgundy expert Allen Meadows, and welcome keynote speaker, actor
and wine producer, Kyle MacLachlan.
In addition to tasting a wide world of Pinot, you can learn
about how geology, geography, climatology, international relations and anthropology
all relate to the Pinot noir grape through engaging seminars from the world’s foremost
authorities on the subjects at the event’s University of Pinot. Explore
walkabout tastings, movie screenings, book signings, alfresco breakfasts and
lunches, a grand dinner as well as the renowned and much anticipated Salmon
Bake…whatever floats your cork.
If the whole weekend isn’t in your budget, you can
still experience a taste of the event with a Sunday walkabout ticket or a Pre-IPNC dinner only. Though there are many interesting dinners on the list to chose
from, my personal favorite is always Anne Amie’s annual Counter Culture; a
celebration of international wineries and urban street food. This casual atmosphere welcomes some of Portland’s most coveted restaurants alongside wines from local and
way beyond, with breathtaking views and relaxing grounds to soak it all up from. As
night falls, a bonfire is lit and fire dancers have been known to make their
appearance, dazzling the audience while adding an air of mystique and excitement to the already magical evening. The whole IPNC weekend is utterly enchanting, you might even feel like you've died and gone to Pinot heaven. Join me there.
