The Wine Knows

We're in Portland today, and it's raining sideways.

Sideways. Hmmm. Pinot Noir. Oregon's signature grape is perfect with Thanksgiving, and many of northern Oregon's wineries will be open this weekend for their annual Thanksgiving open house.

A story about the weekend in this morning's Oregonian has a few interesting tidbits:

-- WillaKenzie won't be open for the first time because the Yamhill winery is nearly out of wine.

-- Adelsheim Vineyards is taking reservations for the first time and will limit visitors to 50 per hour. This should help reduce the frustration of large, pressing crowds.

-- Most wineries are charging tasting fees.

-- According to the article, Pinot Gris is America's No. 1 white wine grape. I'm reasonably positive this is not true (the massive amounts of Chardonnay planted in California are testament to this, and Chardonnay also is the No. 1 white grape in Washington). However, Pinot Gris is the No. 1 white grape in Oregon, passing Chardonnay in recent years.

I won't be heading to the wineries this weekend. Instead, I'll be at OMSI with my father-in-law and brother-in-law checking out the Star Wars exhibit.

May the Force - and the Pinot Noir - be with you.