As the Pacific Northwest - particularly Washington and Southern Oregon - focus more and more on Rhône-style wines, Viognier has come much more into vogue. The white wine grape is traditionally from the Condrieu area of France's Northern Rhône Valley. Elsewhere in the Rhône, Viognier often is blended with Roussanne and Marsanne. Here in the Northwest, many winemakers are … [Read more...] about Viognier gaining in Northwest popularity
Featured wines
Tempranillo enjoying growing fame in Northwest
While Tempranillo remains a grape variety that is little-planted across the Pacific Northwest, the quality of the wines coming from this region's winemakers gives hope that more will be planted each year. In all of Washington state, fewer than 50 acres of the famous Spanish red wine have been established. And in Oregon's Umpqua Valley - where the grape is perhaps best known … [Read more...] about Tempranillo enjoying growing fame in Northwest
Syrah plays vital role in Northwest red blends
Syrah plays a big role in the Pacific Northwest. Not only is it the third-most-popular red wine in Washington (and similarly popular in Oregon and Idaho), but it also finds its way into a lot of red blends. And this is important because not only is Syrah a delicious wine when it's on its own, but it also adds a lot to blends, whether the winemaker chooses to lead with it or … [Read more...] about Syrah plays vital role in Northwest red blends
Washington wines inspired by Bordeaux
It's a classic conundrum. The Old World - meaning traditional European winemaking countries - long ago set their winemaking styles. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Northern Rhône, Southern Rhône, Champagne: all French regions, all different combinations of grapes. The New World - meaning everyone else - can either follow these traditions or try something new. In most cases, … [Read more...] about Washington wines inspired by Bordeaux
Washington’s Great Cabernet Sauvignons
In Washington, it's called King Cab. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon rules the winemaking landscape. For the past decade, Cabernet Sauvignon has been on a meteoric rise in Washington wine country. Driven primarily from new plantings in the Horse Heaven Hills, on the Wahluke Slope and on Red Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon has risen more than doubled in size in the past 10 years. In … [Read more...] about Washington’s Great Cabernet Sauvignons