Between my visits to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic and the Best of Oregon Food & Wine Festival, I’ve had a chance to taste a lot of wines over the last month.

A few that were really memorable – and highly suggested for your summer menus:

1) Viento 2008 Grüner Veltliner. This marvelous dry wine with grapes from the Underwood Mountain Vineyard, has a fantastic flavor, featuring citrus, apples, and white pepper. Northwest Palate noted the 2007 version as “The best Northwest white wine you’ve never heard of!”

2) Brooks Winery 2007 Amycas. Brooks is an organic vineyard in the Willamette Valley, with a great story – and great wines. Check out both the 2006 and the 2007 Amycas as well as the Janus Pinot Noir, recently named a Double Gold – Best of the Best.

3) Lonesome Spring Ranch 2006 Viognier. I’m a little partial to white wines, I’ll admit. While I’m usually a Pinot Gris girl, I may become a Viognier girl after this one – many fabulous flavors including papaya and mint.

4) 2006 Lazy River Vineyard “Private Lumpkin” Riesling. Wine Camp says, “Richly aromatic with ripe apricots and pungent petrol notes, this wine is quite lush with a bit of sweetness accentuated by its fruit-forward style.” I agree!

5) 2003 Valley View Rogue Valley Syrah. This Syrah out of Southern Oregon is spectactular, featuring ripe black cherry and pepper flavors. Pair with a great piece of beef, and you’ll be a happy camper.

~Jennifer Heigl