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Dive into wine, knowledge at Taste Washington seminars

By Great Northwest Wine on March 20, 2013

Taste Washington is this weekend in Seattle.

SEATTLE – Taste Washington is coming up fast, and there still are opportunities to sign up for one of the seminars. Here’s a quick rundown on what is available.

Saturday at Taste Washington

Intro to the World of Wine

Sean Sullivan will lead this seminar that will help you learn more about why Washington state is such an interesting region to grow wine. The panelists include Kevin Pogue, a geologist at Whitman College and expert on Washington terroir; Thomas Henick-Kling, director of viticulture and enology for Washington State University; Thomas Price, master sommelier for The Metropolitan Grill in Seattle; and Linda Murphy, author of “American Wine.”

The wines being served include Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek, Obelisco Merlot, Proper Wines Syrah, Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Cab and Syncline Subduction Red.

Cost: $25

Cure What Ales Ya

Learn about how to pair food with alcohol, including wine and beer. This panel is led by Michael Kelley, beer sommelier, and includes Dan Carr of Visconti’s in Wenatchee and Leavenworth and Victor Palencia, winemaker for Jones of Washington.

Participants will get to taste beers and wines paired with various foods, and they’ll take home three beer glasses.

Cost $45

Sunday at Taste Wasington

All Mixed Up – the Art of Blending

Sean Sullivan leads this seminar on the how and why of red blends. On this panel are Brian Carter of Brian Carter Cellars, Tom Thompson of Tulalip Resort, David Merfeld of Northstar Winery, Mike MacMorran of Mark Ryan Winery and Doug Charles of Compass Wines in Anacortes.

The wines served will included Brian Carter Cellars Oriana, Cadence Bel Canto, Northstar Merlot, Mary Ryan Dead Horse, Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval and Rotie’s Southern Rhône blend.

Cost: $45

Yakima Valley 30th Anniversary

Harrison Hill Vineyard is in the Snipes Mountain AVA and produces grapes that go into DeLille’s acclaimed Harrison Hill red blend.

Andy Perdue leads this discussion and tasting on Washington’s original wine country. This will look at the history of the region as well as many of the state’s top vineyards, including Red Willow, Boushey, DuBrul, Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval. Panelists include Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery, W. Blake Gray of The Gray Report, Todd Newhouse of Upland Vineyards and Thomas Price of Seattle’s Metropolitan Grill.

Wines tasted will include Domaine Ste. Michelle’s Brut Rose, Smasne Cellars’ Ancient Rocks, Betz Family Winery’s La Serenne, Owen Roe’s Red Willow Vineyard, DeLille Cellars’ Harrison Hill and Soos Creek’s Ciel du Cheval.

Cost: $45

Join the Cider Revolution

Ciders are hot in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about them in this seminar led by Jamie Peha of Peha Promotions. You’ll taste ciders from Tieton Cider Works and Finnriver Farm and Cidery. Panelists include Sharon Campbell of Tieton Cider Works and Crystie Kisler of Finnriver Farm and Cidery, as well as Jill Lightner of Edible Seattle.

Cost: $35

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About Great Northwest Wine

Articles credited to Great Northwest Wine are authored by Eric Degerman and other contributors. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.