The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition - the Daytona 500 of North American wine judgings - presented the best of its 5,500 entries for the sweepstakes round last Friday in Cloverdale, Calif. Now that we've had a chance to sort through the decoder ring and the 180-page binder of results from the wine competition, here are some of the best wines from the Pacific … [Read more...] about A closer look at some Northwest wines at the San Francisco Chronicle judging
Wine reviews
San Francisco Chronicle hangs 2 gold medals on Hogue Cellars Riesling
CLOVERDALE, Calif. - A head cold forced Co Dinn out of the office Friday morning, but the director of winemaker for Hogue Cellars in Prosser, Wash., felt a bit better when he learned his 2011 Riesling earned best of class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. His sweeter Riesling, the Hogue Cellars 2011 Late Harvest Riesling, also received a gold medal. "I … [Read more...] about San Francisco Chronicle hangs 2 gold medals on Hogue Cellars Riesling
Precept Wine to release 2012 Merlot in February
Precept Wine, which isn't shy about creating unusual projects, plans next month to release a Walla Walla Valley vineyard-designated 2012 Merlot under the Waterbrook label. Yes, a Merlot from last year's vintage. Waterbrook Winery 2012 Amber Hills Vineyard Merlot Heidi Witherspoon, communications director for Seattle-based Precept, said it will be a 250-case … [Read more...] about Precept Wine to release 2012 Merlot in February
In search of Washington Pinot Noir
On occasion, we are asked about Washington Pinot Noir. It's a question that is becoming easier to answer, though examples remain scarce. Salishan Vineyards More than a decade ago, we would have had just a couple of choices, the best of which was the now-defunct Salishan Vineyards near the town of La Center. On a visit there around 2002, Joan Wolverton (a former Seattle … [Read more...] about In search of Washington Pinot Noir
Hyland honors pioneers and an unusual Pinot Noir clone in Oregon
One of the least-understood appellations in Oregon Pinot Noir country is McMinnville. Many wine lovers associate it with the city of McMinnville, which is nearby but is not inside the American Viticultural Area that was approved in 2005. In fact, the McMinnville AVA is on a hillside west of town and is home to such vineyards as Meredith Mitchell, Yamhill Valley and … [Read more...] about Hyland honors pioneers and an unusual Pinot Noir clone in Oregon