Michael Perman

The term terroir has been deeply inculcated in the minds and modus operandi of wine professionals around the globe, and for good reason. Land, climate, and above all "soil" play a decisive role in shaping the flavors and aromas that ultimately appear in the glass. Among seasoned wine professionals, the word has become almost cliché. Yet despite its overuse, the concept remains essential. Terroir still tells us why wine tastes the way it does, the sensory notes imbued. In simple terms, terroir...

Valentine’s season has a way of turning that question into both a promise and a performance. Every February, love becomes a marketplace. We are surrounded by roses, reservation platforms, glittering jewelry, chocolates, playlists, and perfectly calibrated gestures. Too much can feel theatrical; too little, careless. Something meant to be intimate suddenly feels choreographed. Enjoy wines for Love and Valentine's Guide from a Certified Sommelier

Explore Portland’s best wine bars and discover when a private sommelier-led tasting offers something more intimate, thoughtful, and memorable.