New Releases: Silvan Ridge Viognier 2010 and Malbec 2010

A trip out to wine country on a sunny Friday afternoon brought us to the south Willamette Valley’s Silvan Ridge Winery. We sampled five of their palatable wines, two of which were new releases: 2010 Viognier and 2010 Malbec.

The 2010 Viognier showcased pear and apricot aromas with some floral notes. With a creamy texture on the palate, flavors of apple and peach were dominant, with a hint of orange blossom. With a well rounded, long lasting finish, this was an excellent wine for a hot summer day. As I was sniffing, swirling and sipping theViognier, I immediately thought of a meal I make at home at least once a month: Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing. I brought home a bottle, so after a quick trip to the market this afternoon, I’ll be indulging in this duo, one I think will be a perfect match.

The 2010 Malbec was super fruity on the nose and the palate. Aromas included plums and dark cherries and flavors to match along with a tiny hint of earth and spice.  A nice tannin structure and fruity flavors created a lush, well balanced finish. This is one of those red wines that is approachable and easy to drink. When I thought of something to pair with it, all I could think of was cheese – like Manchego, Gruyere or Asiago. Yum.

We decided to share a bottle of the Viognier while watching local folky Americana band Barefoot Leroy, who were playing live on the Silvan Ridge outdoor stage. We grabbed our lawn chairs and a portable table out of the car, set them up at the top of the sloping lawn, and sipped our wine while taking in the sounds of the band and the beautiful view of the valley. A perfect summer evening.

For a listing of all the winery events in the South Willamette Valley, check out Wine Down Eugene, only on Eugene Daily News.