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Downtown Wine Walk at the Co-op will feature samples from Ferndale Farmstead Cheese Artisans, and starting at 6 pm you can enjoy live music by Tea Seas Trio featuring Tyler Clarke, Roger Yamashita, and Joel Litwin.
Wine Walk tickets: $30 includes 12 tasting tickets, a commemorative tasting cup, a Co-op tote bag, an event guide, and $5 gift certificate to Camber
On April 1, 1997, Moe and Flora Momtazi bought 496 acres of abandoned wheat fields just south of their home in McMinnville, Oregon, and established Momtazi Estates. By the end of the summer of 1999, over 120,000 grapevines had been grafted in greenhouses and planted in the vineyard. Upon purchase, the land had already been chemical-free for seven years, and the Momtazis have made certain to keep it that way by using intensive biodynamic farming methods.
The Momtazi Vineyard in Oregon’s Willamette Valley is considered one of Oregon’s top vineyards.
Planted by Iranian immigrants Moe and Flora Momtazi in 1997 on 400-plus acres of abandoned wheat fields southwest of McMinnville, the Momtazi vineyard has become not only the origin of some of the most sought-after grapes in the valley, but a showcase for biodynamic and organic agriculture.
With the family history of farming and stewardship of the land learned over generations of family farming in Iran
With the family history of farming and stewardship of the land learned over generations of family farming in Iran, the Momtazis have been farming biodynamically from the day they planted the vineyard. This cosmological method of organic farming replaces chemical intervention with teas brewed from medicinal plants and compost from the estate. Nothing is brought in from outside as the farm is thought of as a closed system.
(from left) The Momtazi daughters—Naseem, Hannah, and Tahmiene—now run the vineyard, winery, and gorgeous tasting room and event venue in partnership with their parents Moe and Flora Momtazi.
Photos courtesy of maysara.com.
The Momtazi’s dedication to this mostly untested (at the time) method of viticulture has served as a role model and influence to many other growers both domestic and international. And, the proof is evident, not only in the quality of the grapes but in the low environmental impact.
While the Momtazis sell most of their grapes to many of Oregon’s most esteemed producers, they also produce wine under their own label: Maysara (Persian for winery). We have selected two Maysara wines to feature for the holidays. These are not only delicious additions to holiday meals, but make great gifts for wine lovers.
Learn more at maysara.com.
Demeter Certified Biodynamic, estate grown, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $16.95
Pinot gris has become Oregon’s signature white grape, but rarely do we see it made in this off-dry style. This old-world style is similar to the wines of the Alsace region of France. The beauty of this wine is its complexity. Fermented and aged in
egg-shaped concrete tanks, this wine has lemon balm-like richness. It seems to gravitate between slightly sweet and dry as diverse flavors and aromas emerge and seem to linger. Look for tropical components, guava, papaya, orange; tree fruit like nectarine and peach; and floral aspects such as marigold. Good base of minerality and acidity adds verve and counters the sweetness.
This wine lends itself to spicy foods. Thai or Indian dishes like curry for example. Also, this is a crowd pleasing wine with roasted chicken or turkey, rich seafood such as halibut or scallops, or try it with holiday ham.
Demeter Certified Biodynamic, estate grown, Willamette Valley, Oregon. $18.95.
Crafted by the Momtazi’s three daughters, who now run the day-to-day operation of the winery and vineyard, the beauty of this wine is its vibrancy. It is fresh and lively, and is pleasing and refreshing on the palate. This is a pinot with a bit of weight to it. Tannins and acidity are nicely integrated. Fruit aspects like bing cherry and strawberry, and floral and spice aspects like hibiscus and saffron are intertwined with hints of aromatics reminiscent of smoked meat.
This light-to-medium-bodied red is versatile with food. Try with wild salmon, mushroom dishes, poultry, cranberries, and light cheeses. Good with lighter foods, but pinot noir also does well with more substantial foods like grilled meats. The Momtazis even recommend it with curry.
While most wines are good any time of year, the arrival of summer—with its lively celebrations, outdoor activities, and wealth of fresh produce added to our daily menu—is the perfect time to enjoy wines with a light and fresh style that not only help temper the weather, but match well with seasonal foods.
And, our Co-op wine coolers are well-stocked with a diverse selection of white wines, rosés, and sparkling wines for every budget.
Cordata wine manager Tim Johnson and I have selected a few highlights. Watch for these, and plenty of other fine choices, in our Co-op wine departments throughout the summer. Salud!
Bright, zesty, and fresh. This bargain-priced white made from New Zealand’s flagship varietal—sauvignon blanc—is a crowd-pleasingly dry style that will match well with anything on a picnic table. Look for aromas and flavors of starfruit, grapefruit, and tropical components like citrus and mango. This bang-for-the-buck white is a great addition to the ice chest.
Nothing says wine on the deck like chardonnay. This winemaker is noted for its range of estate-grown, well-priced quality wines. And for price and quality this may be one of its best. It walks the line between big oak-driven California style and leaner mineral-driven style chardonnays of French Burgundy, with a good grip of acidity, balanced by richness and hints of oak.
Looking for a red wine that is light in body, moderate in alcohol, good chilled, an easy match with everything from salad to burgers, and will please even the most discriminating wine drinkers? Look no further than this classic 100 percent Gamay from the Beaujolais region of France. We love this wine, made from certified organic grapes, for its quality and price that is well below comparable wines.
Does that steak on the grill call for a wine to match? For summer grilling season this wine is an amazing value. The Roumage family has owned this 96-acre vineyard for over 100 years. Husband Jean-Louis grows the grapes and wife Estelle makes the wine. This merlot-driven, almost black-colored wine is reminiscent of cedar and black currants. This is not a show-off wine, but one that unfolds with each sip.
Free, all ages
Art: Dawn Kodin
Music: Sam Chue is a traveler/songwriter from Bellingham. Born 1991, his influences include Ween, Tom Waits, and Arlo and Woody Guthrie … to name a few. Check out four of his albums at www.bandcamp.com, just search Sam Chue.
Food: Tasty tidbits and sips throughout the store including a treat from the Co-op bakery.
The Co-op has everything you need to make your Thanksgiving dinner the best it can be—from decor to dessert!
Thanksgiving is the Olympics of food, family, and traditions. The rituals and foods we eat on Thanksgiving evoke memories of years gone by, and set traditions that future generations will carry forward: laughing and working together in the kitchen, preparing beloved family recipes, savoring the aroma of a favorite entree as it wafts through the house, setting the table for a sit-down dinner with friends or neighbors, or opening a special bottle of wine saved particularly for this holiday celebration.
The Co-op knows how important this meal can be, and we have carefully selected the very best ingredients to help you make this Thanksgiving memorable, and manageable. We’re here to lend a helpful hand with appetizers, side dishes, entrees, desserts, and wine.
The case will be brimming with delicious salads, stuffings, gravies, side dishes, and even roasted turkey and other entrees. Every item is prepared from scratch in the Co-op kitchens using the highest quality ingredients we can source. Ask to taste a sample of any item in the case.
Our deli also offers a variety of prepared trays—veggie, fruit, cheese, Mediterranean, meat and cheese, sandwich, or kabobs. Housemade entrees are also available by the pound—spinach lasagna, veggie and bean enchilada, chicken enchilada, or vegetable frittata.
Our bakers are at the ready to create the dessert of your dreams. Pies, cakes, and myriad other delights are available to pre-order with 72 hours advance notice. Or just stop by the store to pick up your favorite! Our bakery cases will be full of delectable goodies, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Peruse our carefully curated selection of cheese, charcuterie, jams and jellies, and fancy crackers for all your entertaining purposes, as well as chocolate for holiday baking and decorating. We also have butters, mascarpone, ricotta, crème fraiche, and cream cheese for those mouth-watering holiday recipes.
We are pleased to once again offer a large selection of Mary’s Free Range Turkeys. We’re also happy to suggest other options for folks who would rather forgo the bird.
Revel in the abundant selection of fresh organic produce to make your holiday meal shine. And pick up a beautiful floral bouquet for the table.
Find all the extras you need to spice up your meal and take it to the next level of deliciousness. Experiment with new spices and ingredients from bulk, and shop for gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and other specialty organic grocery items.
Shop the vast selection of the best local, imported, and specialty adult beverages. There is something for every budget, and our wine and beer buyers are happy to make pairing recommendations that will perfectly complement your meal.
Explore our selection of one-of-a-kind goods: kitchenware, tableware, serving dishes, wine glasses, candles, and distinctive decorative items to set the perfect mood.
Be on the lookout for tastings and other special events prior to the holiday. We wish you a festive and scrumptious holiday with your loved ones.
Don’t forget that Co-op member-owners can special order items from most any department by the case for a 15 percent (or greater) discount off shelf prices. Just ask at the service desk and learn more about how you can save with special orders.
Have questions? Need help finding something? Just ask our friendly service desk staff. They are always happy to help!
Sulfur is an antioxidant and antimicrobial that at very low levels is used as a preservative in wine. It serves to keep bacterial activity in check (wine is not pasteurized), preserves color (especially important in white wines), and keeps wine from oxidizing prematurely.
Its use in wine goes back to Roman times. Wines sold in the U.S. must list “contains sulfites” on the label, when sulfur is used in winemaking. Although no such rule applies to other foods including cheeses, dried fruits, or processed french fries, all of which contain far higher levels of sulfites than wine (we can thank neo-prohibitionist politicians in the 1970s for that).
While sulfites in wine may be a problem for a tiny minority of people with allergies or asthma, for most of us sulfites are not an issue. The relationship between sulfites and wine-related headaches has been debunked.
For winemakers, making no sulfites added (NSA) wines is a difficult and risky proposition. When making NSA wine, the winemaking equipment must be sterile, and NSA winemaking techniques often involve the additional use of specialized yeasts, pasteurization, and sterile filtering. In other words, making NSA wines is not exactly non-intervention winemaking.
However, many winemakers have accepted the challenge of making NSA wines (even NSA wines contain residual sulfites, as sulfur dioxide is a byproduct of fermentation), and there is a market for these wines. And, while many NSA wines still seem sterile and stripped of flavor, we are seeing a vast improvement in the quality of these wines in general.
The Co-op team visited Atwood Ales to learn more about this unique local family farm brewery. Tag along with us on a virtual tour and see for yourself what makes Atwood Ales stand out among the local brews …
We are offering two Healthy Connections classes in October for folks to deepen their appreciation of Bellingham’s popular adult beverage. Join us to raise a glass, have some fun, and broaden your knowledge of this yeasty delight.
Get the inside scoop from Co-op department managers about their top recommendations for Thanksgiving!
