Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Taste Walla Walla Trade Show Seattle Feb. 22nd

Taste Walla Walla Trade Show
Seattle, WA Feb 22, 2010
Seattle Art Museum

Participating Wineries Included:

Abeja, Amavi Cellars, Basel Cellars Estate Winery, Beresan Winery, Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Bunchgrass Winery, Buty, Cadaretta, Canoe Ridge Vineyard, CAVU Cellars, DaMa Wines, Dowsett Family Winery, Dunham Cellars, Dusted Valley Vintners, Five Star Cellars, Forgeron Cellars, Gifford Hirlinger, L'Ecole No 41, Long Shadows Vintners, Mannina Cellars, Nicholas Cole Cellars, Northstar Winery, Otis Kenyon Wine, Patit Creek Cellars, Pepper Bridge Winery,
Reininger Winery, Seven Hills Winery, Skylite Cellars, Spring Valley Vineyard, Stella Fino Winery, Stephenson Cellars, Sweet Valley Wines, SYZYGY, Tamarack Cellars, Tertullia Cellars, Three Rivers Winery, Trust Cellars, Va Piano Vineyards, Walla Walla Vintners, Waterbrook Winery, Watermill Winery, Waters, Woodward Canyon, Yellow Hawk Cellar, and Zerba Cellars.

A great line-up of very talented winemakers from the Walla Walla Wine Alliance

Lynnell's Picks

Abeja 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
John Abott Winemaker

Buty 2006 "Columbia Rediviva" Phinney Hill Vineyard Estate
Caleb Foster Winemakers

Yellow Hawk 2008 Muscat Canelli Columbia Valley
Tim Sampson Winemaker

Canoe Ridge 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Ned Morrison Winemaker

Basel Cellars 2006 Merlot Walla Walla Valley
Justin Basel Winemaker


Thanks to all who participated in this fantastic tasting!






Thursday, September 24, 2009

Planning a trip to Portland?

Northwest Food and Wine Festival

Saturday Nov. 14, 2009

600 Wines, 60 Gourmet Bites

Memorial Coliseum Exhibit Hall 5:00pm-9:00pm

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,

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

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!