Viognier, the noble white grape of the northern Rhône Valley of France, has started to gain a strong foothold in the Pacific Northwest, rolling in on the wave of interest in Rhône varieties in our region. It's a maddeningly difficult grape to grow and often more difficult to craft into wine. However, it can make some gems in the Pacific Northwest. It is most famous in … [Read more...] about Viognier gaining foothold in Pacific Northwest
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Viognier remains a darling in the Pacific Northwest
Viognier ranks among the most maddening and confounding grapes. It is difficult to grow, and it is equally difficult to make into a balanced and delicious wine. Yet the grape and its often highly floral aromatics has captured the imagination of Northwest winemakers, many of them caught up in the growing interest in Rhône varieties. Viognier originates in France's northern … [Read more...] about Viognier remains a darling in the Pacific Northwest
Red blends big deal across great Northwest
In the past decade, the biggest growth in wine has been the category of red blends. Seattle wine shops have mentioned remodeling to accommodate the large number being produced. In our competitions, the category is far bigger than any other. One reason for the growth is Northwest winemakers' desire to emulate the European model of winemaking, particularly in Bordeaux and the … [Read more...] about Red blends big deal across great Northwest
Judges select favorites from 2017 Cascadia Wine Competition
HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Wine experts rarely are unanimous when it comes to gold-medal wines, so we asked our judges at the fifth annual Cascadia Wine Competition to list some of their favorite wines. We dub these as “Judges Selections.” At The Cascadia, staged at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Ore., our 21 judges worked in teams to taste through more than 900 … [Read more...] about Judges select favorites from 2017 Cascadia Wine Competition
Mosquito Fleet Winery uses Malbec to top Capital judging
LACEY, Wash. — Mosquito Fleet Winery, a boutique producer on Washington's Kitsap Peninsula paying tribute to the small ferries that buzzed around Puget Sound, used a 2013 Malbec to win best of show honors at the 2017 Capital Food and Wine Festival Wine Competition. Brian Petersen, a chiropractor who grew up near Bremerton, established his winery with the 2009 vintage. He … [Read more...] about Mosquito Fleet Winery uses Malbec to top Capital judging