With us today is Ames Morrison, of Medlock Ames, a very special winery in Alexander Valley, Sonoma. Q. Ames, I know you attended Tulane University in New Orleans, and spent a significant portion of your life in that city. This week marks the one year anniversary of the tragedy known ...

Grilled leg of lamb Braised collard greens Drunken Goat with Grand Central Rustic Baguette Blackberry crisp 2004 Chateau De Lacarelle Beaujolais-Villages

Grilled chicken with Thai cilantro pesto Spicy greenbeans Spicy Thai fried rice Fresh mission figs 2004 Chateau De Lacarelle Beaujolais-Villages

Applewood-grilled trout with lemon, herbs and shitaki mushroom sauce Caesar salad Grilled mission figs on cristini with Rogue Creamery Oregonzola and thyme honey 2001 Errazuriz Fume Blanc

Grilled lamb burgers with Cyprus Grove chevre Spicy greenbeans Guacamole Nectarines with honey and mascarpone 2005 Penner-Ash Roséo 2004 Penner-Ash Seven Springs Pinot Noir

The Blondelet Pouilly-Fume was very, very nice. It was quite tart, but at the same time, surprisingly complex. The nose was minerally with pear and guava, a hint of spice and after about an hour in the glass, that rubbery scent you sometimes get from good Riesling. Like the Saint ...

For some reason, perhaps because of the warm weather, I have really been into Beaujolais recently. They are relatively low alcohol, light in body and often very affordable. This is another find from Portland Wine Merchants . The Lacarelle is one of the most fruit-driven Beaujolais I have had yet. ...

One of these days, the wine world may well wake up and realize how well Oregon does Chardonnay. When the pioneers of the Oregon wine industry were first planting in the 70s, they mostly put in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For many years, while the Pinot Noir got better and ...

Provençal mussels with oven-baked fries Arugula salad with lemon dressing Grand Center Bakery rustic baguette Bucheron goat cheese 2004 Bethel Heights Quercless Chardonnay The mussel dish is really easy and I honestly don’t remember where I first had it. It isn’t really Provençal, to be honest, but it has that ...

The Portland Wine Merchant tastings are fantastic because they always pick good topics and find interesting wines. But it isn’t often that I like almost everything I try. When I walked in the door this time, Gabriel greeted me with, “I think you are going to be happier this time.” ...