Cabernet Franc is often thought of as sort of a little brother to king Cabernet Sauvignon. Where one is planted, you'll typically find the other. It's this way in its native Bordeaux, and it's this way in Washington state. One reason for this is because Cabernet Franc typically has gentler tannins, so blending it with Cab can make a wine smoother. In Washington, Cab Franc … [Read more...] about Cabernet Franc plays small, important role in Northwest
Featured wines
Affordable Northwest white wines under $15
With the arrival of sunny skies across the Pacific Northwest, it's that time of year when we want to always have a couple of white wine in the fridge, ready to open to enjoy at the end of a warm day with a plate of fresh seafood, pasta or grilled vegetables. Typically, white wines cost less than reds, primarily because the cost less to make. They spend less time in expensive … [Read more...] about Affordable Northwest white wines under $15
Affordable Northwest reds
The Pacific Northwest remains a great region for finding high-quality value wines. A big part of this is land prices. Compared with quality land in Northern California, land in Washington's Columbia Valley is fairly inexpensive. And labor prices are also reasonably low, as a vast majority of vineyards are mechanically harvested, reducing costs considerably. Here are 11 … [Read more...] about Affordable Northwest reds
Affordable rosés for Northwest sunshine
After our long, cold, wet winter, it is nice to see sunshine, higher temperatures and flowers beginning to show up. And this puts us in the mood to fire up the grill and toss some beautiful bottles of Northwest rosés in the fridge. Nothing quite goes with food and sunshine in the great Northwest like some chilled dry rosés. Here are 10 examples we've tasted lately that are … [Read more...] about Affordable rosés for Northwest sunshine
Pinot Gris and things from the sea
An old axiom about food pairings with Pinot Gris goes like this: "Pinot Gris and things from the sea." And that why the crisp, refreshing flavors of Northwest Pinot Gris goes perfectly with our coastline's natural bounty. Shellfish, halibut, salmon. They all are perfect accompaniments with Pinot Gris, which has grown into being Oregon's No. 1 white wine grape and … [Read more...] about Pinot Gris and things from the sea