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Here for The Right Riesling

Hello Wine Lovers,

Welcome back to The Good Drop Wine Shoppe’s Wine Blog. It’s Katherine again, and today I thought I would talk about all things Riesling. Maybe your love for Riesling started by watching Somm: Into the Bottle 2 (my personal story), your Grandfather’s favorite wine is Riesling, or you just happened upon a Riesling during your latest wine shopping spree… My hope is that after reading this blog post your love for Riesling might grow.

“When life gives you lemons… Drink Riesling” – Yours Truly

Traditionally, most Riesling wines are on the sweeter end of the spectrum to balance the high acidity. However, nowadays there are plenty of fantastic dry Rieslings on the market. The Riesling wines that tend to be drier are the perfect refreshing companion on a hot day, boasting its simplicity as a leaner-wine. Riesling grapes can be used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling white wines. 

This particular wine varietal has a colorful heritage originating in Germany, where today, this grape continues to thrive. With only a little over 89,000 acres planted worldwide, Riesling is considered a rare varietal. Rieslings typically have intense aromas of orchard fruits, honeycomb, jasmine, and a touch of striking petrol. I like this varietal because it comes in many shapes and sizes, and conforms to no one flavor profile. I typically taste lime, meyer lemon, pineapple, and apricot in most Rieslings. What captivates me in Riesling wines is the sharp acidity, very similar to a tart glass of lemonade. 

Note to self, start a Riesling Stand $1… I think Sarah and Beckie will be up for that, given their entrepreneurial spirit.

When it comes to food pairings, think spice. One of the most classic Riesling pairings is spiced duck leg, as well as any strongly spiced meal such as Indian or Asian food. 

Now that you have had a crash course on Riesling wines, it’s time to taste some. Drop by The Good Drop ASAP and we will assist you in all of your Riesling needs. 

Happy Drinking,

The Good Drop Girls 

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The Good Drop Girl Bosses

Hello Wine Lovers,

Welcome back to The Good Drop Wine Shoppe’s wine blog. It’s Katherine, again, here to to spotlight the original Good Drop Girls, Sarah and Beckie, and to tell you the story of how The Good Drop came to be.

I’ve worked at The Good Drop for two months and I can safely say that Sarah and Beckie’s infectious love for life and wine has rubbed off on me, big time. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve become considerably more sassy now that I have them in my life… but what do I know? Because I know I’m not the only person these amazing women have affected, I thought I’d help you get to know The Good Drop Girl Bosses.

Tell me about your story…

Sarah and Beckie’s story began 5 ½ years ago when they had both recently moved to Bend, OR, and their sons were trying out for the same soccer team. A big thanks is owed to those two young boys because they brought together the power duo we all know and love. Owning a wine shop had been a dream of Sarah’s and once she has an idea in her head, there’s nothing stopping her. After meeting Beckie, Sarah’s dream had the chance to be realized and the rest is history at that point. The two of them fit perfectly together, Sarah being the world-traveler, entrepreneur, and master of wine she is and Beckie being her sweet, sassy, and organized missing piece to the Good Drop Dream. When I was interviewing them yesterday for this story, it dawned on me that this is what cannot be taught in business school: the genuine heart these two have for life, their business, and each other. The foundation of the unique shop we all know depends on this heart. If there’s one thing you take from Sarah and Beckies story, I hope it’s the value of friendship and the lifelong dreams it can bring to life.

Now that the first few years of curating The Good Drop, the blood, sweat, and tears are behind them, Sarah and Beckie expressed to me that they are happy to have their full friendship back. It’s hard for me to believe that the spunky, Flo Rida dancing queens were ever not themselves but that’s the nature of building a business. The Good Drop today survives by all the loyal clientele that have quickly become family and friends to Sarah and Beckie, and as I hope they will become to me.

How do you pick the wines that are featured in the shop?

No surprise here, Sarah and Beckie have hand-picked all the wines in the shop by traveling and researching to find obscure and unique wines that tell a story.

What are your favorite wines at this moment, and, why?…. (And you better believe you can get both of these wines in the shop)

Sarah’s favorite wine, as of yesterday, is a 2017 Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino. This wine holds a special place in her heart because of the story behind it and, of course, because it’s the best Malbec she’s ever had. The label of this wine pays tribute to Malbec’s history in France and its rise in Argentina. Four female figures embody different landmarks in the history of the grape. Today, the Catena family’s fourth generation leads the high-altitude renaissance in Argentina. In the words of the Catena family, “We are returning Malbec to the sky, where it belongs.”

Beckie’s favorite wine is a 2017 Antica Terra Ceras Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. Although she would argue with me on this… some say you are what you drink, and, in this case, I believe Beckie embodies this elegant and ripe Pinot Noir. Beckie loves this wine because of who made it, Maggie Harrison. Similar to her own story, Maggie moved and fell in love with Oregon, bringing her passion of wine with her…. And the rest is history.

Thank you for reading, I hope you all are inspired by Beckie and Sarah’s story, I know I am.

XO,
The Good Drop Girls