The Bottle Talk: A little wine can make Mother's Day shine

FLORENCE — With our spring showcase in full bloom, one of the most important holidays lurks just around the corner. Mother’s Day gives us the opportunity to remember the women who brought us into this world. Every family pays homage to their matriarch in different ways, but this year, we will add some juice of the vine to put a “perma-grin” on mom’s weathered face. Whether you are taking mom out to brunch or dinner at the house, a sparkling wine always seems to liven up the mood. In the hopes of keeping things classy, we opt for a traditional method sparkling wine. This production method sees the wine’s second ferment, the one that gives us the bubbles, in the very same bottle you pour from. Although this is the definition of Champagne, we will be drinking domestic sparkling to avoid the tariffs and to support our local producers through this tough time. The Pacific Northwest has long been overlooked by our East Coast markets as a premier sparkling wine area. The 2020 Estate Cuvée Blanc de Noirs Sparkling, Chehalem Mountains AVA ($60), produced by Raptor Ridge Winery demonstrates the capability of this region. This 100 percent Pinot Noir has amazing complexity due to the base wine seeing some barrel aging and spending four years on the lees (expired yeast) before disgorgement. The crunchy cherry, strawberry and citrus flavors are highlighted by a pastry element and nervy acidic finish. The fine mousse (bubbles) has a silky texture on the palate, elevating this wine to an ethereal experience. If mom prefers a still white wine for her sipping delight, allow me to suggest a domestic riesling. When referring to this grape variety, most will think of Germany, as it has over five times the vineyard area compared to any other country in the world. Riesling has, however, seen great success in U.S. vineyards, particularly in New York, California and Washington state. Eroica Riesling 2023 Columbia Valley AVA ($22) represents a great example of an affordable version offering balance and freshness while staying true to the grape variety itself.