Eugene Weekly : Holiday Happenings : 11.15.07

Holiday Happenings :

Candles in the Window, Carols at the Spinet Plethora of Eugene options for the hols
Winter Warmers Lift a pint for (or of) holiday beer
Oh, Christmas Tree! A source of agony, a source of income
Tasting Heaven Thanksgiving weekend makes the palate merry
Holiday Events Seasonal calendar a glance

Tasting Heaven
Thanksgiving weekend makes the palate merry
BY LANCE SPARKS

Thanksgiving weekend, let’s admit, can be desperate time: How to get visitors and in-laws out of the house and recreate as a group without risking getting mauled at the mall?

Easy answer: Wine tour. Wheel the whip along autumn-lovely byways to welcoming wineries to tipple and taste, maybe stash a couple fine pinots, gris or noir, enjoy breathtaking views in languid splendor.

Thanksgiving weekend is special in wine country. Many wineries not open the rest of the year hold open houses, put out a spread and offer barrel tastes of the next vintage. Some charge nominal tasting fees but sweeten the pot with free glasses or other such. Many also display winery-related memorabilia — T-shirts and other togs, jams, jellies, spices, corkscrews, bags, boxes, notions and knickknacks.

Take a day. Heck, take two if you’re slow. Launch yourselves — BUT WAIT: First choose a driver. Draw straws, cut cards, whatever, somebody’s gotta drive while others sip ‘n’ slurp, ’cause even if you sip ‘n’ spit (respected practice in tasting rooms; no eeews!), you’re probably going to imbibe more than would be safe for driving. No chance: Auto-pilot abstains. Check?

Now launch. My favorite would be slow drive to Monroe, visit Broadley Vineyards, superb pinot noir, yummy chardonnay, good people. Enjoy, then head south on Territorial, zip in at Benton Lane, still glowing with pride at having their pinot noir recently designated as among the top 100 of the world. Check out their 2006 bottlings.

On the road again, point toward Elmira, roll up the driveway at lovely LaVelle winery: beautiful grounds, superb art gallery, friendly folks. Their pinot gris has been exceptional: Don’t miss their ’06.

Roll on: Secret House, Hinman/Silvan Ridge, Sweet Cheeks, Iris Hill, King Estate, finishing at Chateau Lorane. Come home now, rip into overlefts and savor fruits of tour, sprawl on couch, call life grand.

You’ve just tasted some of Oregon’s finest wines; some say some of the world’s best. Don’t you feel thankful?

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