Justerini & Brooks in Oregon push

UK fine wine merchant Justerini & Brooks has added several Oregon producers to its portfolio as it ups its attention on the American region.

The St James merchant has three of the state’s producers on its list now, Eyrie, Walter Scott Wines and Rose and Arrow Estate, all of which are being offered this month.

Speaking to the drinks business, buyer Julian Campbell said it was the, “beginning of an Oregon lift for us.”

The three wines represent a good spread of Oregon’s history and winemaking scene, added Campbell.

Eyrie is one of the longstanding producers in the state and produces a range of wines including Pinot Gris.

Walter Scott is slightly newer but the husband and wife team of Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon have quickly established a reputation for producing exciting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Rose & Arrow meanwhile brings in the expertise of Louis Michel Liger-Belair – yet another Burgundian involved in Oregon winemaking – and Chilean Pedro Parra to make some truly excellent examples of single site Pinot Noir across various Oregon AVAs including Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills and Chehalem Highlands.

US wines are gaining more traction in the UK market currently and the market for top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay remains strong thanks to Burgundy which in turn is making merchants cast around for other regions to source wines from.

Oregon is a natural place to turn and while Liger-Belair told db the aim was to make “Oregon Pinot” not something that tastes like Burgundy, Campbell added that Rose & Arrow and other Oregon producers made wines that, “spoke the language of Pinot,” and which made them immediately appealing to longterm Burgundy drinkers.