Family favorites (wine recommendations!)

Since we heard a presentation on the Willamette Valley in Thursday's class, this seems like a good opportunity to recommend a few of my family's favorite Pacific Northwest wines. (Not all are from the Willamette Valley, but all are from regions in Oregon and Washington.) My family likes to drive around tasting wine and buying bottles, but here I'll limit myself to sub-$20 wines that I've seen available on the shelves of Trader Joe's and Safeway near Stanford.

Erath "Oregon" Pinot Noir - the wine that first convinced me I liked red wines. A light Pinot Noir with lots of cherry and blackberry flavors. Especially good with pasta. At $20 per bottle, cheap for a quality Pinot Noir.

A to Z Pinot Noir - hey, they host the Pinot festival, of course there are two Oregon Pinots on this list! A Shabbat dinner favorite for my family - a bit more spice and tannin than Erath's Pinot, but still with strong cherry taste. Great with salmon. $20.

14 Hands "Hot to Trot" Red Blend - from a Columbia Valley winery, this red blend makes for smooth, easy drinking, with just enough peppery kick to keep it interesting. Highly recommended for sipping while you cook! It's mostly Merlot and Syrah (though the exact blend varies year to year), and it's utterly delicious ($10).

Chateau St. Michelle Riesling - a dry, crisp Riesling that hits just the right balance between fruitiness and acidity. Very light - perfect for brunch or lunch if you're getting an early start on your daily wine-drinking. This one's only $7, but Chateau St. Michelle also makes lovely higher-end wines (including ice wines) in collaboration with Weingut Dr. Loosen from Germany.