12757 Tue May 18 17:49:15 -0700 2004 13 4 Pacific Northwest 0 24369 There was an excellent article in Sunset this month about wine bars and how they are pairing the wine with food now. Mentioned was 750 ML in Portland. Has anyone been here? They serve Roussanne (a white wine from France) and have it paired with seared sea scallops and shiitakes. It sounds wonderful! Also, could any of you wine enthusiasts tell me more about Roussanne. Is it comprable to a Viognier? ***kim*** Tue May 18 17:49:15 -0700 2004 0 kim c 1 24370 Kim, we've been to 750ML twice, once when it was a wine shop and once since it's been a restaurant. Honestly I wasn't that impressed either time. As a wine shop the selection was miniscule and generally unexciting. As a restaurant, I still found the wine selection pretty mediocre and the food wasn't really much better. I remember thinking the fries were the best part of the dinner, and even those weren't quite as good as others in town (Cafe Castagne, Carafe). In both its incarnations, it has seemed like a place that's trying too hard to be hip and not trying hard enough on the food and wine selections. It all seemed just a little too trendy and forced to me, but then I don't have a "soul patch" and don't wear '70s clothes, either (G). As far as Roussanne, it is originally a French grape, from the Rhone Valley, although it's also planted in various parts of the new world, including CA. It's similar to Viognier in aroma, although a bit deeper and oilier and a bit less floral. It's also more textured, structured and ageable, and really hits its peak in the white wines of Hermitage, which are blends of Marsanne and Roussanne, especially from J.L. Chave, whose white Hermitage really needs 10-15 years of aging to hit its peak. It also stars in the Roussanne Vieilles Vignes bottling from Chateau Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape. Marshall Tue May 18 18:47:28 -0700 2004 24369 0 Marshall Manning 2 24381 I wonder why you don't see Roussanne on the menus very much? I just heard about it for the first time today. I'm a wine enthusiast in training. I think it sounds like something I would enjoy but have yet to come across this wine anywhere in the Napa/Sonoma tasting rooms. Is it really hard to find? ***kim*** Wed May 19 00:53:29 -0700 2004 24370 0 kim c 3 24384 Wild Horse in Paso Robles has one, but this doesn't really belong on this board. Wed May 19 01:58:51 -0700 2004 24381 0 wally 4 25694 I have to second Wally's recommendation for the Wild Horse Rousanne--it's pretty darn tasty, especially for the price ($10). You can order directly from the winery. I don't think you'll find much NW Rousanne, unless they start making it in Washington--the climate just isn't right for it around here. Paso Robles is especially well-suited to Rhone varietals, and there are a few other wineries down there that have started bottling Rousanne on its own, rather than as part of a blend. An excellent one, though a bit pricey, is Tablas Creek. Link: http://wineforthepeople.blogspot.com/ Fri Jul 23 01:37:42 -0700 2004 24384 0 Alison 5 25719 I'm not an expert on the subject, but it's my understanding that Roussanne, as well as other Rhone varietals like Viognier and Syrah are already being grown in Washington (the Roussanne in Walla Walla & Yakima Valleys), and they're producing some nice wines. In Oregon, as I mentioned before, Andrew Rich is producing that great Roussanne, as well as other Rhone types. I also learned that Sam Tannahill (former winemaker w/ Archery Summit & Shea vineyards) and Sheryl Francis (of Chehalem) started their own winery, Francis Tannahill in Amity, which is also producing limited amounts of Roussanne and another Rhone, perhaps Syrah. I would guess there are others trying them too, in limited amounts--it's still new to the area. The CA Central Coast area has way more choices for now, and may be the better climate for Rhones, but as for the PNW Rhones--so far, so good, and I'm curious to see what kind of progress they make with them in the future. Fri Jul 23 17:34:27 -0700 2004 25694 0 Lauren J. 6 26055 We do indeed make a Roussanne - in 2002 we only made 61 cases! We are growing the production a bit - 100 cases in 2003. Roussanne on its own is a little dull aromatically so we are adding in small percentages of Muscat, Chard and Viognier. The grapes come from Alder Ridge Vineyard. IN 2005 we should have some Marssanne and Roussanne grapes from Southern Oregon as well. We do make some Syrah as well - from Southern and Northern Oregon and this year we are trying our hand with Syrah from Alder Ridge as well. I believe there is GREAT potential for these cepage in Southern Oregon and the area around Alder Ridge (pretty far east on the Columbia). Cheers, Sam Tannahill Wed Aug 25 13:38:44 -0700 2004 25719 0 Sam Tannahill 1 24372 I went in to 750ml once. Honestly, I thought it was pretentious and over priced. I did not have any food because nothing sounded particullary appetizing. The wine list was only so so, having a few notable wines, but missing out on some of my favorites (admittedly unusual- Amarone) and were charging a minimum of $8 a glass. I think they have a week night special but I wasn't there on that night. It also had a 'trendier than thou' atmosphere, and the service took forever, like they really didn't want me there. Maybe I was on an off night for them, or myself..... Tue May 18 19:01:31 -0700 2004 24369 0 Jamesongrrl 2 24378 Hi there, You know, I've never been to 750 ml but I have been to Navarre and Tabla and Noble Rot (which are all within 2 blocks of each other near the 28th and E Burnside intersection) which are all good choices, Tabla being my fave, Navarre being my least fave. I think Tabla pays a bit more attention to the food, Noble Rot a bit more attention to the wines. There's another joint around there too, Wine Down 28th, or something? I don't hear about Wine Down or about 750ml across the river much at all. And the rare time I do hear about them, anything said is negative. I like wine a lot and I talk about it with folks a lot, so I think that is very telling. Just wanted to share that. I like Wines on Broadway too for tasting the fabulous local stuff, they have an amazing selection by the glass. It's not about the food there, though, it's about the NW wine. Tue May 18 20:53:44 -0700 2004 24372 0 Jill-O 1 24374 I completely agree with Marshall. The food and wine at 750 ML are mediocre and overpriced. For a "winebar", its wine-by-the-glass selection is severely lacking. I had trouble finding even one that was interesting. It's definitely more of a place to be seen than it is a chowhound (or winehound) destination. Try Vigne, which is right down the street, instead. Tue May 18 19:05:55 -0700 2004 24369 0 cmm 1 24387 I have had a few really good dishes at 750 ml but that was under the previous owner. I will disagree with Marshall on one thing, I think their fries are some of the best in town. Then again, anything with a truffle essence hooks me. As far as wine bars go, if you're truly interested, I'd recommend Vigne. They have a great cheese selection and a really good, eclectic list. Wed May 19 09:34:11 -0700 2004 24369 0 Hunter 1 24395 Apparently, Roussanne's one of the new varietals being grown in the NW, so I think you'll be seeing more of it. I noticed that Portland's Wildwood serves an Andrew Rich Columbia Valley Roussanne that's supposed to be nice: very rich and full-bodied, good served with seafood in cream sauce. Mmmm...retails around $17, not bad. I recommend the Roussanne flight (4 wines) at Girl & the Fig, sonoma. One of the wines is from Truchard vineyards, Carneros, Napa Valley. Also check out Alban and Qupe vineyards, Central Coast, which is out of this region. In Oregon, I'm sure your tastings will lead to more good Roussannes. Wed May 19 13:52:37 -0700 2004 24369 0 Lauren J. 2 24396 Thanks! I was just at the Girl and the Fig last month and found a killer Viognier from Imagery Artistry Collection that I will be ordering online. I'm looking forward to trying Roussanne on my next travels to the Portland area. Tabla, Noble Rot and the Wine Down will be a few wine bars I may try. I'm very interested in the pairing of the wines with different flavors in the Pacific Northwest cuisine. I enjoy the cool, crisp whites in the warmer months and nice hearty, full bodied reds for the cooler fall and winter months. ***kim*** Wed May 19 14:25:07 -0700 2004 24395 0 kim c 2 24403 Speaking of Andrew Rich... The Andrew Rich Les Vigneaux Gewurztraminer Ice Wine is quite the tasty dessert quaff. It's not as sweet as many dessert wines and not as cloying/viscous as many ice wines. The Gewurzt. is also a lot more complex and interesting than, let's say, most Riesling ice wines. Although Sokol Blosser's dessert Riesling is sweet sunshine in a bottle, it can be a bit too sweet for some... And, at $20/375ml it is also a bit nicer to the pocket than the SB Reisling is at $30/375ml. Still, they both have their place in my heart and on my wine rack! Wed May 19 19:07:53 -0700 2004 24395 0 Jill-O