WOODINVILLE, Wash. – Since it uses two out of every three grapes grown in the state, no one knows the Washington wine industry better than Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. On Monday, company officials announced the 2016 harvest as the biggest in the history of Washington wine. The Pacific Northwest's oldest wine producer projected the total crop in the Evergreen State will weigh … [Read more...] about Ste. Michelle calls 2016 harvest biggest, longest for Washington wine
Grapes
College Cellars spins Muscat into gold year after year
WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Grapes in the Muscat family were cultivated by the ancient Greeks and Romans, but many wine lovers haven’t experienced Muscat Ottonel. College Cellars of Walla Walla is working to change that. It’s a relatively new variety by comparison, developed in France’s Loire Valley in 1852 by crossing a local Muscat with Chasselas. It’s a variety that’s not … [Read more...] about College Cellars spins Muscat into gold year after year
Huge, record-setting Washington harvest wrapping up
What already was anticipated to be the largest harvest in Washington history looks like it will be even larger than thought, according to grape growers and winemakers across the state. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which uses 66 percent of the grapes grown in Washington, reports that tonnage is coming in between 5 and 10 percent over its pre-harvest estimate. "And we're not … [Read more...] about Huge, record-setting Washington harvest wrapping up
Mega Purple – an insidious additive that can ruin a wine
The next time you pick up a glass of inexpensive red wine, you might look at its color. Is it a little too dark? When you swirl it, does some purple legs remain on the glass? It could be the natural color of the wine. Or it could be something a little more artificial. A widely used product in the American wine industry is called Mega Purple. It's a product made by … [Read more...] about Mega Purple – an insidious additive that can ruin a wine
King Estate completes conversion to biodynamic
EUGENE, Ore. - King Estate, one of Oregon's largest wine producers, now is the largest certified biodynamic vineyard in the United States. "Achieving Demeter certification holds us to the highest possible standard in sustainable agriculture, said founder and CEO Ed King. "It is testimony to the grit and determination of King Estate's people to go beyond organic and do our … [Read more...] about King Estate completes conversion to biodynamic