Anytime I taste a Washington wine I also try to taste its place, its terroir and its history. I like to see if I can taste the characteristics of its climate, it soil, even its canopy management. Did it grow in basalt soil? Loess? How was it trellised? Was it leaf stripped in the summer? [...]
Read moreThe recognition and acclaim of Washington wines continue! Alex Golitzin, of Quilceda Creek Vintners, is a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s annual award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional. Only three other winery professionals were nominated in this group of 20 semi-finalists. The winner will be awarded on May 3rd.
Alex Golitzin and his [...]
El Gaucho- Seattle, was the amazing host for the Washington Wine Commission’s Taste Washington media preview last night. Taste Washington is a premier Washington Wine event, providing opportunities to interact with wine makers, attend wine education seminars,and sample exquisite wines from all over the state during the grand tasting. In addition, you can savor delicious [...]
Read moreOn February 11, a crowd infiltrated Pike Brewing Company for the 2nd annual Chocofest – a pairing of chocolate with wine, beer, and spirits. One thing that immediately sets this event apart is the hospitality of the brewery’s owners, Charles and Rose Ann Finkel. They are such gracious hosts, introducing themselves to attendees and thanking them [...]
Read moreEach month, Sean Sullivan of the Washington Wine Report, hosts a virtual tasting. Tonight I am tasting January’s selection the Columbia Crest Grand Estates 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. It was Columbia Crest 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve that came in first of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines for 2009. This is definitely a different label and [...]
Read moreFinal voting is now open for Washington Wine Report’s Reader Survey. Between now and December 16, you have the opportunity to vote for your favorite Washington wine of the year.
2009 Wine of the Year finalists (in alphabetical order):
Alexandria Nicole Cellars Crawford Vineyard Viognier 2008
Alexandria Nicole Cellars Petite Sirah Mr. Big 2007
Forgeron Cellars Champoux Vineyard Cabernet [...]
My favorite birthday present this year? The tickets my hubby scored to Le Vin á Son Apogee, including a special VIP “meet the wine maker” party with Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery. The evening included Around Washington Wines and Around the World in 80 Wines
VIP Party with wine maker Bob Betz
The event kicked [...]
For the first time ever, a Washington wine has earned the top spot on the Wine Spectator’s prestigious Top 100. The 2005 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve ($27) beat 17,000 wines to become “wine of the year” for 2009. Although this wine is currently sold out, Columbia Crest announced this morning they are searching [...]
Read moreAfter spending the night in Kennewick to attend the Tri-Cities Wine Fest, we continued on to Walla Walla’s Fall Release Weekend. Needless to say, we didn’t make it to all 48 wineries showcasing their new releases, but we did manage to visit five Walla Walla wineries. Those we did visit, however, provided us [...]
Read moreThe first Cabernet Classic organized by Seattle Uncorked wine club is in the history books. The Cabernet Classic, a benefit for Center for Contemporary Art (CoCA), was held at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club on October 28. 37 wineries were pouring over 70 wines, nearly all wines poured were Washington wines.
My initial tasting strategy [...]
