WineUp on Williams
WineUp on Williams
Last week my husband and I visited WineUp’s new location, hence the new name…WineUp on Williams. Previously located in a 400 square foot space, WineUp moved a couple months ago to a much larger store front in north Portland which has allowed them to add a light food menu, more wine classes and just a better vibe overall.
We had a wonderful evening sampling potential Thanksgiving meal wines poured, at first, by co-owner Camille and then taken over by her equally capable daughter, Sweet.
The Portillo Sauvignon Blanc from Argentina had a little spice to it, making it an instant suggestion for Thai food. Their current house wine at WineUp is Townshend’s non-vintage Red Table Wine with an actual red table on the label which was clever. It’s a good, affordable, easy-sipping red that would hold up to mild foods but I certainly wouldn’t pair it with a blue cheese.
meat and cheese plate at WineUp on Williams
I would, however, pair the 2011 Casteggio Barbera with a blue cheese but the winner of the night for me was the 2004 Greg Norman Reserve Shiraz. Priced at $30/bottle, this one normally retails for at least $50/bottle, making it an amazing value at WineUp. The layers of black cherry and plum were smooth and satisfying, a lovely Shiraz.
As is the case with wine bars, the flights poured tend to change weekly and seasonally, for that matter. We were served a small appetizer platter of meats and local cheeses, a goat and a blue. The goat paired nicely with the 2011 Belleruche Cotes-du-Rhone Grenache/Syrah blend. Several other small bites, a couple salad options and a few paninis make WineUp a great place for some snacking or a respectable light dinner to compliment a wine flight or vino by the glass.
The greeter at WineUp on Williams
We really enjoyed the medieval, dimly-lit ambience and everyone was friendly and welcoming. I also had the opportunity to pick the brain of Wayne, the other half of this family endeavor and host of WineupTV. Wayne is a wealth of wine knowledge and, before you start thinking that I’m just trying to find words that start with ‘w’, let me say that I found him to be as approachable as his wines and really appreciated the information he imparted on me regarding Syrah, in particular. My quest to find a bottle to pair with the nontraditional tapenade that I knew I was serving on our Thanksgiving appetizer plate was enhanced by his enthusiasm.
Check out WineUp on Williams at 3037 N Williams Portland 97227 or http://www.wineuponwilliams.com/. You can watch Wineup TV at http://wineuptv.com/.
Viki
I am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I've been with my husband, the chance encounters we've been blessed to have along the way and my carry-on bag. I can often be seen around town and in tasting rooms with our two beautiful, double-Merle Australian shepherds, Challenge and Baby Girl.