Division-Villages 2019 Pinot Noir, Méthode Carbonique, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, which is just about 30 minutes away from the famous Willamette Valley wine-growing region, is home to a group of dedicated urban wineries that are hanging tough through the pandemic, wildfires and a rough economy. Among them is the Division Winemaking Co. owned by former St. Louisan Thomas Monroe and his business and winemaking partner, Kate Norris. They started the wine company in 2010 after studying and working in wineries in France’s Loire Valley, Beaujolais, Burgundy and northern Rhône regions.
Monroe and Norris also founded the Southeast Wine Collective, a Portland winery that performs custom crush services for both commercial and private brands. In addition, it hosts private wine tastings, offers a wine club and sells wine to go. The idea for the collective grew out of a business plan that Monroe developed while earning his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. (His dad and stepmom, Tom and Susan Monroe, still live in the Central West End.)
In making the Division wines, Monroe and Norris aim to create their own personal styles of wines using minimal manipulation. The following small production pinot noir — only 290 cases were made — is a fine example.
Division-Villages 2019 Pinot Noir, Méthode Carbonique, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Bought • Parker’s Table, 7118 Oakland Avenue, in October for $23.99
Description • This unusual pinot noir is made through carbonic maceration, a fermentation process used in the production of gamay-based wines in Beaujolais. In fact, if you enjoy fresh, fruity Beaujolais reds, give this wine a try. It’s a lively, light-bodied red that has soft tannins and is very easy to drink. It tastes of ripe red berries and ends with a long flavorful finish. This is a versatile wine that’s light enough to go with appetizers and also with all the sweet and savory dishes served at a Thanksgiving feast.
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