Mindful tasting is paying attention to the flavor, smell, and texture of a wine, and noticing how it makes you feel. Writing about wine, given these parameters, then becomes a lot of fun. Evolution Wine is here to deliver the party to the party…
E Wines’ Philosophy
Since its introduction by Dundee, Oregon based Sokol Blosser Winery in 1998, Evolution has evolved into something of a phenomenon. Its fan base gives meaning to the word “loyal” and is spread all over North America, Europe and Asia. At the time, there were very few white blends on the market, and Evolution tapped into the niche that would become an important segment of the wine business. As word spread and Evolution made the rounds, it enjoyed extraordinary popularity. The packaging and the price have attracted drinkers more interested in great tasting wine, affordability and having a good time than trying to impress friends at the next dinner party.
Our goal is to make a wine that appears simple – easy drinking, relaxing – but in reality is quite complex.
While Millennials might take issue with this describing them, it surely is who they are becoming… loyal (when they like it), having a great time with wine (always), a complex blend of “Not Your Daddy’s Chardonnay.” It all works really well for them, and for me.
So, here we go with some Evolving
Evolution Big Tine Red, 5th Edition… This is a non vintage wine. In my world, Non Vintage wines begin when a winemaker has some wine and it needs a bottle. Then the planning begins, regardless of vintages being blended into the wine. It makes for some crazy good wine, I’ve learned, being in on that kind of process as a wine marketer years ago. Being a Fifth Edition, this one has become a great playground, with an ever evolving landscape. This vintage’s recipe includes Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Syrah, and a touch of Evolution White. How many of us have tasted a Montepulciano, when it’s so much easier to say, “I’ll have the Pinot.” It’s the most adventurous, I’d say.
SIDEBAR: Very European vineyard… In an ancient vineyard, vines are blended. This gave a wine a consistent structure. Each red vineyard always had a few white vines thrown in for good measure and great flavors.
For years, after creating Evolution Lucky No. 9 White, fans of this wine wanted a yang to that yin. Evolution Big Time Red was created. This 5th Edition is a really delicious wine. This is a very food friendly wine and went down – almost – a bit too easily.
Non-Vintage Evolution Big Time Red, 5th Edition
Traditionally, non vintage wines let a winemaker take wine from here and there and make it work. The ingredients for this one are really fun:
- Sangiovese
- Montepulciano
- Syrah
- A touch of Evolution White
Perfect for a Millennial generation, a bit of this, a bit of that, a bit of the next thing… a winemakers delight. Well, my delight, too. A really easy drinking wine. With 14 percent alcohol, it’s got a little bit of oomph, yet still works really well with fancy foods.
2015 Evolution Pinot Noir… This is a delightful Pinot and ready for all occasions. Oregon Pinots from Willamette Valley are very special. The 13 percent alcohol has a lot to do with its perfectly balanced flavors. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want from a Pinot Noir is “heat.” There’s not any ‘heat” with this wine; just soft, very well rounded plum flavors. You don’t have to think twice about this wine: See it, buy it, enjoy it… with or without food, it’s classic Oregon Pinot Noir.
According to their winemaker notes: 2015 was a year that you truly felt the earth is heating up. We had record heat growing degree days, almost 3000. (2200-2300 is normal), which helped us rack up the earliest bud break ever, the earliest bloom ever, and one of the earliest harvest dates ever (1992 was earlier…).
Sparkling wine from Oregon?
A new one for me, I had to admit. (I guess I don’t get out much?) So this was intriguing.
How was it? Evolution Sparkling Wine was a delightful surprise. I really shouldn’t have been surprised, though. I first met people from Sokol Blosser Winery, the parent company, when I was producing Pinot Gris symposiums for our client Oak Knoll Winery. The winemaking team was knowledgeable and very credible. So, to shift gears into non-vintage Méthode Champenois, why not, when it’s this yummy? I suggest you try their tiny bubbles for yourself.
Evolution Sparkling wants you to celebrate all of the time.
Who says sparkling wine should only be opened on special occasions? And what exactly is the definition of a special occasion? Exactly. Well we’re here to tell you that the act of celebration has evolved and things have changed. With the launch of Evolution Sparkling, you can now celebrate everything all the time. Sun came up? Celebrate. Sun went down? Celebrate. Someone invited you over for Beef Wellington or beef sliders? Bring a bottle and celebrate. Think about it. Anything can be celebrated, if you put your mind to it. So from now on, just remember this simple rule: When in doubt, celebrate!
This sparking wine is great for moments like:
- We’re engaged!
- We’re going to have a baby!
- I’m getting a puppy!
- I got a 4.0 this semester!
- It stopped raining!
- The snow is melting!
I could go on… you get the point. For us, it was dance night, and the bubbles made it more fun. According to E Evolution ~ Pop. Pour. Celebrate.
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