Wine of the Week: Amity Willamette Valley White Pinot Noir 2016

One of many things that make Oregon's Willamette Valley such a cool region is the recent penchant to make a "white" wine out of pinot noir. The grapes are picked relatively earlier and vinified without skin contact. And there's no better introduction than the Amity Willamette Valley White Pinot Noir 2016 ($18). A seriously fresh rosewater nose leads to tropical/red berry fruit flavors and a soft, almost silky finish. It's like a rosé with less acidity, but still plenty of zestiness. This would be a beautiful Thanksgiving option, the rare wine that plays well with the gravy and the sweet potatoes, but also would work at other gatherings with salty appetizers.

Available at Big Top (Midway), Haskell's (Minnetonka, Bloomington, Woodbury, Stillwater and St. Paul), Kowalski's (Eagan and Excelsior), France 44 and Zipp's