Northwest Wine Bars: Nothing Says Wine Like Wine Country

The Northwest is a gem; they offer wonderful micro breweries, great coffee and terrific wine. In and around Portland there are incredible amounts of top notch restaurants that produce not only exceptional food, but offer some of the best wines in the world.

One of my favorite wine bars resides downtown Portland called Oregon wines on Broadway (515SW Broadway St, 503-228-4655). Although the food, seems rather typical of most wine bars these days, they do offer a variety of wines; not only Oregon Wines, but wines from all over the world. They do offer a larger selection by glass of Northwest wines than wines based outside of the Northwest. Their selection is ever changing, but the quality of wines to choose from remains very good. A typical glass of wine runs from six dollars a glass to fifteen dollars. Being a big fan of red wines; I found that Five Star Merlot 2007 from Washington State to be one of my favorites with a hint of vanilla and a really smooth taste, it was awesome; however the atmosphere there wasn't very distinctive in detail, but still pleasant.

Not very far from Oregon Wines on Broadway is Southpark Seafood grill and wine bar. (901 SW Salmon in Portland 503-326-1300). In my personal opinion this is the best place to eat in Portland. I have never been a vivid lover of Fish, so it is a good thing they offer more than fish on their menu; prices are reasonable at $15.00 to $30.00 per plate. Everyone I went with enjoys fish; I heard nothing but praise from them on how good the food was. Personally I stuck to Butternut Squash Ravioli; it was the best I have ever had. The wines offered are wonderful; often paired with the menu of the day. (The menu changes daily). My favorite wine offered that day came from Nelms Road, another wine from the Walla Walla region in Washington State, the atmosphere is one of the classic high end restaurant's, with a cozy wine bar separate.

Although not a wine bar per say, Jo-bar (715 NW 23^RD, in Portland 503-222-0048) deserves a mention. Jo's offers a strong and unusual menu with ingredients that often are not combined together, and somehow Jo's makes it work. Potatoes for example in a pizza. I have never had a bad meal at Jo's. The Wine selection matches that of most good wine bars, and they make the best Sangria I have ever had, food runs into that $12.00 to $20.00 range with standard wine bar prices for a glass of wine, the atmosphere here is more a hip upbeat style, making this one of my favorite places to go.

About 25 miles from Portland is one of the best luxury inns dedicated to wine. The Allison (theallison.com) (2525 Allison Lane, Newberg 503-554-2525). The Allison was designed to focus on the wine in the region. Prices are very expensive; but worth it if you can afford to stay or eat there. They offer exquisite food and wine. IF luxury is what you seek, there is no place better to stay, enjoy the great wines of the region and enjoy their great food. The cost is significant, with rooms starting at two hundred and ninety dollars per night. Dinner cost about forty dollars per plate, and the wine is offered more by bottle than by glass adding to the cost.

About 5 miles from the Allison, is an incredible little community called Dundee which host some of Oregon's best wineries, but they also host one of the best wine bars in Oregon. The press (1410 N HWY 99, suite # 102 Dundee 503-538-7989)) not only serves a variety of wine from all over the world, they have terrific food ranging from very unique hamburgers, along with other things like duck served in a variety of ways, appetizers to please, and an assortment of salads. I found the food to be good quality with reasonable prices of ten to fifteen dollars. The wine I simply adored was Castello Di Verduno Basadone 2008 from Italy; it sort of had an earthly taste to it. Wine prices ranged from nine dollars through fifteen dollars per glass. The atmosphere is mixed, between the restaurant crowd and the wine only crowd, which even includes a wonderful fire place to sit and sip making it more enjoyable.

About seven miles west of Dundee is McMinnville, a town that recently was named number two in high quality restaurants per dos capital according to Bon Appetite. N.W. Wine bar (326 NE Davis Street, McMinnville 503-435-1295) offers an ever changing array of wines, often having between fifteen and twenty wines offered per glass. Although being in the heart of Pinot Noir country, N.W. Wines host wines from all over the world. My favorite white wine was a Sauvignon Blanc made in New Zealand called Mt. Fishtail Marlborough 2009. It had the greatest fruity smell and taste. My favorite red was SYZYGH Syrah 2007, produced in Washington State with scents of Chocolate and Vanilla. The atmosphere there is modern with a touch of class, making it very enjoyable.