WINO 101

Hello Friends and Wine Lovers!

Last week we visited the neighbors to the South. . .This week, we’re traveling the other direction and visiting with the neighbors just to the North: Washington! The wines from Washington are one of the more exciting prospects in the blossoming worldwide wine scene. They’re some of my favorites, and I’d say they round out the portfolio of Northwest wines, considering the vast majority of Oregon wines are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Yes, I know there is a greater variety in Oregon, but really, if you fill in the blank here: Oregon “_____”, what would you write? (”Ducks” or “Beavers” not being valid answers.)

My affinity for Washington wine all starts with my birth in Washington. Oh, the wines I enjoyed for the two years I lived there. Yep. Okay, maybe not. . .but the first two years of life are the most formative, and I believe the Washington wine scene was also in its infancy at the same time. More realistically, Washington wines can be praised for the Rhone and Bordeaux varietals, exploding with fruit and weight and complexity. They’ve been winning awards across the board, and garnering Walla Walla some international recognition, not just as a country-style redneck town with a college and a funny name, but as a country-style redneck town with a college and a funny name and a lot of really good wineries.

Also, keep your eyes on the Yakima Valley. I’ve been finding a lot of gems from there, and they don’t break the bank like many of the Walla Walla wines do. And hey! Look! There’s a white wine in the lineup! It’s a Viognier, one of my favorite white wine varietals! As I tasted through all the wines at the “Taste of Walla Walla” event last month, the Cougar Crest Viognier stood out to me as one of the best. Out a few hundred wines, that’s something to take note of.

So Friday, April 22nd, between 4:30 and 9:00 PM it’s:

Washington!
Cougar Crest 2004 Viognier, Walla Walla
Ryan Patrick 2003 Rock Island Red, Columbia Valley
Chinook 2002 Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley
Sheridan Vineyards 2003 Kamiakin, Yakima Valley
Fidelitas 2003 M100 (Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec), Columbia Valley

Also Washington!
Maryhill 2002 Zinfandel, Columbia Valley
K Vintners 2003 Syrah, Walla Walla

A stellar deal at $10 for the First 5, and $6 for the Extra 2 Premium Pours
Hope to see you here!
Seize the Wine!

Next Friday tasting is French Rhone!
Also next Friday is In-House Live Music with local Guitarist Tony Smiley!

M