Get to Know Your Local Bottleshop: Renaissance Premium Wines & Cigars

Email to a friend Permalink

Friday, September 26, 2014

Tom Champine, GoLocalPDX Wine Expert

We've been looking at a lot of Portland's independently owned bottle shops to have a look at the great options out there if you buy local. These are the small businesses and retailers that are offering some of the best finds in wine, from around the world and covering all budgets. 

Unfortunately for city-dwellers, not all of Portland’s culinary gems reside in, well, Portland. Many wonderful places to eat and drink surround our metro area, and are worth singling out for attention.

Hillsboro’s Renaissance Premium Wines and Cigars is a terrific wine and cigar shop worth a stop.  Owned by Mike Plunkett, this shop is a great destination in Orenco Station. Plunkett does brisk business with the post-work set, and is an excellent man on the ground. In other words, he is well connected and knows what’s going on locally in the Willamette Valley. He’s also knowledgeable about what rare and tough-to-find wines are coming in, and snatches up some good “gets” for his people. Expect to find what you won’t see stacked in pyramids at the larger retailers.  

The fans of Renaissance are loyal. Most Friday nights, Plunkett hosts special wine tasting featuring a local winemaker, or a local distributor, showcasing a focused line up.  Last year’s Champagne Event was a major hit - I know I'm still enjoying my spoils. He won’t waste your time with run of the mill, average wine. These parties are well considered and seasonally appropriate. And they are parties! I’ve seen this place completely full, with the chatter increasing in volume in relation to the wine imbibed.

Parties aside, Renaissance Wines is also a great resource for what’s new and happening in our valley. Plunkett is actively involved in the Oregon wine Community, and a friend to many wineries. Specifically, he’s a terrific supporter of the ¡Salud! Wine Auction, a benefit providing access to healthcare services for Oregon’s seasonal vineyard workers and their families. He is a loyal volunteer, and contributor to one of our valley favorite causes.  

The nuts and bolts: This is a wine shop, wine bar, and cigar shop.  There is a decent selection of wine pre-chilled in coolers, and Renaissance offers a wine club too. This is the kind of place that’s perfect for hitting before a dinner party. You shop for a bottle, a host gift, a cigar, and get your prefunk on while doing it. You’ll be charmed and glad you did!    

On my last visit, I scored:

Marsannay Rose, 2011, by Domaine Joseph Roty. 100% Pinot noir.  Yes, this is a 2011. And yes, its delicious. Many Roses are fantastic after a little time in bottle. This one, has finesse, and elegance. There’s fruit yes (red currants, red raspberry and those tiny wild strawberries) but also an edge of barnyard/forest floor and wet rock minerality that gives it fantastic depth.  Note: Mike has a decent selection of the Domaine Joseph Roty line up. Look for the Marsannay Blanc.  

Classico Chiaretto, Garda DOC 2012, by Provenza. A blend of Groppello, Barbera, Sangiovese and Marzemino This pinky has a gorgeous “rosey” nose and palate full of fresh strawberry, lime zest, and rainer cherries. I particularly like the creamy mouthfeel, excellent with Summery BBQ.    

Renaissance Premium Wine & Cigars at 1320 NE Orenco Station Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (503.615.8676). Open Tues-Fri 11-8PM and Sat 11-6pm

When not eating and drinking around Portland, sommelier Tom Champine works in Oregon’s wine country at Raptor Ridge Winery, performing national sales and market development. 

 

 

​Homepage Photo Credit: Barney A Bishop via Compfight cc

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink