Love & Squalor, Sauvignon Blanc, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022

Overview of the Wine
Love & Squalor by Portland Wine Company was launched in 2006 after a few years of voluntary enslavement to some of the greatest practitioners of winemaking in Oregon and beyond. It started with a bit of Pinot noir and a splash of Riesling—two barrels of each. Then came the naming. Three months of scribbles in traffic and on the bedside notepad resulted in exactly no big ideas. A quick trip to the Goodwill thrift store led to the rediscovery of J.D. Salinger’s book Nine Stories (in a pristine 50’s paperback version, no less!) and the lead story: For Esme, with Love and Squalor.

There it was, in one short phrase—winemaking as I know it. I don’t mind if people think I’m smart because I put a literary reference on the label. I don’t think it’s smart, I think it’s basic—passion and poverty are two of the building blocks for any worthy endeavor.

So it began with 65 cases of wine, a stolen phrase and an inspired sketch of some slips on a line. Love & Squalor is still a small concern, but the label has grown wider and taller. Production grew slowly in the first years, limited by humility and space as I was making the wine in stolen corners of my winery employers. For the first four years I stuck to the task of making two wines well—one Pinot and one Riesling. Then, as my confidence grew and the diversity of my cellar expanded, we began making and bottling our Reserved line— and introduced small amounts of other Gamay, Sauv Blanc and other varietals that we like to drink. 

Winemaker
Matt Berson

Grape / Blend
100% Sauvignon Blanc

Origin
Williamette Valley, Oregon

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Love & Squalor Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect balance of acid and fruit. It is made of multi-vineyard Sauvignon all from the Willamette Valley. It sells SUPER FAST, so get it while you can. Meyer lemon aromatics translate to a vibrant citrusy palate. This one has a little bit of a slight white Haribo gummy bear thing going on that makes you want another sip.

92 Points - Ian Blackburn
Lemon Curd, Grapefruit, high acid - BANGING VALUE!!! BONUS 2 points for price....

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast
If you ate fresh apricots and let the juice drip down your chin while standing in the middle of a fresh-mowed lawn, it would smell like this wine. Pink grapefruit, honeycomb and spearmint flavors are merely a big bonus. Zingy acidity paces an icy crisp texture.

Product size: 750ml