The Airen Grape

The most widely grown grape in Spain and accounts for over 30% of the wine production there. A white grape that is grown in the areas of La Mancha and Valdepenas. Airen is also known as Lairen, Manchega and Valdepenera Blanca and is often an ingredient in brandy,

What the New Buzz? Lake Chelan AVA is now the 11th American Viticultural Area in Washington.

Located completely within the Columbia Valley AVA, the Lake Chelan AVA is characterized by a higher elevation and a more temperate climate. The effect of Lake Chelan provides this area with mild temperatures and a longer growing season.

Approximately 15 Wineries/Vineyards are located within this new AVA. Touring and tasting at four of these wineries, one could only hope to gather some apple on the nose, since huge apple orchards surrounded most of these vineyards. And there was no doubt that this was the height of the apple harvest season. If there was a scent of apple with any of these wines, I certainly couldn't detect it.

Syrah? Yes! Big bold wines bursting with flavor.

Kudos to Tsillan Cellars for being the most hospitable of the group that I toured (and also award winner at the Seattle Wine Awards).

And thanks to Les from the Wenatchee area for his knowledge and history of the area.

Odom Southern Distributors Holiday Wine Trade Tasting Safeco Field September 21, 2009

Bring out the Big One's for this one. And they surely did at this event! And for those who witnessed my attempt in the visiting team's batting cage, I was more than happy to provide free entertainment to all.

Triage Wines by Northwest Tasting Trade Event August 31, 2009

Great trade tasting event with 12 wineries from Oregon and Washington represented.

Lots of favorites to mention from this group, but some were just superb!

My pick for best of show goes to:

Best White: Llahe Vineyard Gruner Veltliner Willamette Valley 2008

Best Red: Owen Roe Sharcropper's Pinot Noir 2008

Very mentionable: Patrica Green Pinot Noir Reserve 2007, Northwest Wine Project Celio Chardonnay 2007

Thanks to Eric Awes for his insightful suggestions and great wine tips at this event!

What's Pairing With Pineapple Chicken Tonight?

Martedi Winery 2008 Dry Riesling, Yakima Valley. This superb wine is dry, really. A great aroma and a super value. Try it with all your favorite Asian Cuisine.

Enjoy!

Rhone Rangers Trade Show Tues. July 14th, Pier 66



41 wineries in attendance composed of:

26 California Wineries
12 Washington Wineries
2 Oregon Wineries
1 Idaho Winery


Many Syrahs, Viogniers and Blends with a few Roussannes, Grenaches, Mourvedres, Sirocco Blancs and Grenache Roses. In general, the 2005 Syrahs were especially nice and it was a treat to taste many of the Syrahs from the Paso Robles area. To name a varietal that was most commonly used to blend the Syrahs would be insurmountable as I saw many blended with Viognier, Petite Syrah, Cabernet, Roussanne and Grenache and a number of other varietals.



Best of show Viognier - McCrea Cellars 2008 Yakima Valley Viognier, Rainier, WA $22

Best of show Syrah - Domaine Serene 2005 Seven Hills Syrah, Dayton, OR $45

Best of show Blend - Zaca Mesa Winery Los Olivos, CA 2005 "Z Three" Red blend, Santa Ynez Valley $42

Largest selection of pourings - Cline Cellars Sonoma, CA and McCrea Cellars Mt. Rainier, WA

Best value wine - Sawtooth Winery 2005 Syrah Nampa, ID $15

Most expensive Syrahs- Goedhart Family Winery, Benton City WA ('07 Syrah Bel' Villa Vineyard, Red Mtn.AVA `$50 and the same in the '06 `$70)

Spiciest Mourvedre - Cline Cellars 2007 Small Berry Mourvedre $30

Best "ice" wine - Adelaida Cellars 2007 Ice Wine Paso Robles, CA $30

Wine of interest - Qupe 2008 Marsanne Los Olivos, CA $20


Cheers!

Seattle Wine Awards Grand Tasting 2009 June 14th 2009 Rainier Club

There were so many finely crafted wines and the talent and achievement of the participants at this show was stunning. Only Washington wineries that had won awards were allowed to participate and only wines that had won awards were allowed to be poured. It was so difficult

to choose a wine which was superior in such an outstanding line-up.

My best of show, in my opinion, goes to Gamache Vintners 2006 Estate Cabernet Franc, Richland, WA. This wine was luscious and very different from many of the Cab Francs produced in Washington State.