In the midst of the myriad new red wine releases, it's easy to overlook the whites. The weather is still cold, and reds appeal for their rich, warming character. But spring will be here soon, and sometimes a white wine suits a winter meal ... maybe halibut, or poached salmon, for example.

Several wonderful white wines are now available from Northwest wineries- and a couple of outstanding sales are in progress.

Paradis Vineyard is one of the oldest Pinot gris vineyards in Oregon, and supplies most of its grapes to other wineries, including King Estate. The Paradis family had famed winemaker Joe Dobbes make a small amount of Pinot gris for sale under their "Paradis Vineyard" label, and it is super. The wine has all the Pinot gris character you could want, starting with lychee and white peach in the scent, and full bodied pear, apple, and citrus flavors, finishing dry and a touch flinty. There's also subtle hints of spicy cinnamon and clove tucked away in the layers of flavor. All for only $9.80 with the 10% case discount!

Some of the first Viognier in Oregon was made by Joe Dobbes for Griffin Creek, starting in 97. By 99, he had the formula down, and was producing some of the most lush and Condreiu-like Viognier in the US. The Griffin Creek Viognier 99 $16.99 (was $30) shows his talent. Priced at $30 at release, the wine is now on closeout, and is still drinking deliciously. The floral notes in nose and palate, crisp mineraly acidity, nice exotic lychee, white peach, jasmine, herbs make this a wine to try. Lovely and a steal at this price.

Michael Stevenson is best known as winemaker at Panther Creek, and for his own Stevenson-Barrie Pinot noir. With this first release of a Chardonnay under his own label, Michael shows his skill with white wine, and he's priced this wine to move out quick. The Stevenson-Barrie Chardonnay 02 $15.99 is sourced from the Hyland Vineyard. The wine shows crisp acidity, nice hints of tropical fruit, and subtle notes of sweet oak that comes from aging in three year old oak barrels. It's well balanced, delicious for sipping, and well defined tannins and acid provide structure to hold up to foods like Halibut, salmon, chicken, and game birds. Very very nice for the price.

And for a Chardonnay worth cellaring, try the Shea Wine Cellars Chardonnay 02 $28.00. Years of refining vineyard practices, and the choice of new cool weather lones, have "born fruit" with this viscous, balanced wine. ntense aromas of tropical fruits (mango and kiwi) harmonize with mineral and stone fruit(apricot and nectarine) nuances. As the wine reveals itself the aromas deepen as a more terrior influenced minerality and deep rich fruit aromatics blend and unify. In the mouth the wine is viscous and superbly balance. The mid-palate is stunningly rich yet the cold climate fruit manages trough ripe acidity to pull the wine into a beautiful balance of ripeness, richness, elegance and purity. The finish rolls on forever.

Next ------------------ Red Wines Best Buys and New Releases