Welcome back to Take Five, a fresh Eat Beat feature that offers up five must-try culinary finds from food and drink experts around town. Next up, think pink...

Wine fanatic Jeffrey Weissler has spent the last five years chronicling the best of the world's sustainable wines and wineries on his website consciouswine.com, but his real passion lies in face-to-face celebration of the goods in the glass with good friends and good food. Inspired to make that passion a daily reality, Weissler took the leap from digital denizen to brick-and-mortar shop owner this year.

His irreverent, education-centric wine shop Pairings Portland will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday, May 11 across the street from the microrestaurant row The Ocean on NE Glisan from 11 am to 9:30 pm.

Here, Weissler shares his tasting notes for the five new-release Oregon rosés he'll be toasting (and teaching) with all summer long:

1. Lumos ‘Chiquita’ Rose 2012, $20

Hard to not drink the whole bottle! Wonderful strawberry, watermelon and cranberry flavors harmonize with an easy texture and style that keeps you coming back for more. Great combo of sophisticated, elegant, and irresistible.

2. Teutonic Wine Company ‘Laurel Vyd’ Rose 2012, $18

Pretty strawberry color. Strawberry and watermelon nose, yet on the palate flavors show a focused, drier, earthier style with flavors of cranberry and cherry popping their heads up. If the picnic basket has a mix of goods, this wine will be a rockstar!

3. JK Carriere ‘Glass’ Pinot Noir Rose 2012, $22

Fresh, lively nose invites you in with floral, strawberry, and citrus tones. Medium bodied with hints of spice, and a smooth textural quality with lots of "linger action". It's fresh, zingy, fruit driven, and dry all at once. 

4. Brooks Pinot Noir Rose 2012, $20

Fresh cranberry and strawberry hints on the nose, with a touch of straw and hay—reminds of being out in a country field. Really dry overall with a juicy citrus rind finish, this would be great to pair with savory foods to help bring the fruit to the surface.

5. Quady North Rose 2012, $15

Easy drinking with a touch of earthy flavors that then burst into a mouthful of fruit. A little time in bottle and the flavors will flesh out (if it’s at all like Quady's past vintages). Great value!

Pairings Portland Wine Shop
455 NE 24th Ave
pairingsportland.com

Want more seasonal sips? Check out our shopping guide for backyard barbecue-friendly India Session Ales.