Drink of the Week: 2008 Ponzi Arneis

With ideal weather patterns throughout the spring, summer and fall, 2008 is looking like an exceptional vintage for winemakers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and today’s Drink of the Week is a perfect example. Ponzi wines rarely disappoint, and their 2008 Arneis is no exception. Ponzi is the only winery in Oregon producing Arneis, an Italian varietal traditionally grown in Italy’s Northern Piedmonte region, and their 2008 vintage is crisp and vibrant with a touch of minerality and juicy notes of fresh apple and pear. This is a great summer wine perfect for pairing with chicken, fish or a fresh fruit salad, and at $20 a bottle, the price is just right.