Barely a half-decade ago, we were in the dark times of Chardonnay. California's heavy, wood-laden style of big, fat Chardonnays ruled the winemaking landscape. Rare was the Chardonnay with finesse. But just as wine lovers have gravitated toward myriad white varieties - Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Grüner Veltliner among them - so, too, as … [Read more...] about Thanks to diverse styles, Chardonnay makes a comeback
Featured wines
Washington Merlot: It’s the soil and a lot more
It's as though Merlot was made for Washington's Columbia Valley. In many areas of the world, including its native Bordeaux and particularly in California, Merlot would seem to play second fiddle to Cabernet Sauvignon. But Washington Merlot is pretty special. (All of this said, many great Merlots are made in Bordeaux, starting with Chateau Petrus.) Merlot is a sensitive … [Read more...] about Washington Merlot: It’s the soil and a lot more
Yakima Valley: A taste of Washington’s oldest wine region
The Yakima Valley, a long, wide swath of land that stretches from the shadow of Mount Adams in the west to Red Mountain in the east, is the cradle of the Washington wine industry. It was here where William Bridgman began planting wine grapes in 1914. It was here where Walter Clore spent his career with Washington State University studying and promoting the Washington wine … [Read more...] about Yakima Valley: A taste of Washington’s oldest wine region
Sangiovese a delicious niche in Washington
Sangiovese is the most-planted wine grape in Italy. Here in Washington, the rich red wine grape plays a niche role. Sangiovese is famous in Tuscany, particularly in Chianti Classico, as well as the hill towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano. When you buy a bottle of Chianti, Brunello or Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, most or all of the grapes are Sangiovese. It tends to … [Read more...] about Sangiovese a delicious niche in Washington
Walla Walla Valley: a tale of two sides of a valley
It is quite easily the most famous wine region in Washington - and one of the least-known wine regions in Oregon. The Walla Walla Valley has captured national fame and international acclaim for its top-shelf wineries, starting with the two oldest: Leonetti Cellar and Woodward Canyon Winery. Since Woodward Canyon launched in 1981, more than 100 wineries now operate in the … [Read more...] about Walla Walla Valley: a tale of two sides of a valley