11/25/06
(Saturday) - Washington's Big Showing in Wine Spectators Top 100!
 Wine Spectator recently released their list of the "Top 100 Wines of 2006". And this year's #2 entry was none other than Quilceda Creek's 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (95 points)! For those of you that have been lucky enough to taste this incredible wine it should come as no real surprise. But with this result comes more than continued acclaim for an already prestigious winery, it's also great news for the Washington Wine Industry as whole and our continued efforts in gaining respect amongst the world's premier wine regions. This is what Spectator had to say about their #2 finisher:
Quilceda Creek has a track record of outstanding Cabernets. The wines have gotten even better since owner Alex Golitzin passed on the winemaking duties to his son, Paul. In 2003, Paul sourced more grapes from Champoux Vineyard and less from Red Mountain. As a result, the wine has silkier tannins and impeccable harmony, while retaining its seamless, pure fruit.
Also included in the Top 100 results were three other wines from Washington State:
#25 - Spring Valley Uriah Walla Walla Valley 2003 (94 points)
#62 - Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley Canoe Ridge Estate 2004 (92 points)
#84 - Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2003 (91 points)
-MP
11/22/06
(Wednesday) - A Little Insight Into Glassware Etiquette.
Recently a visitor to WineCOW.com provided some personal insight into drinking methodology and the importance of proper glassware when it comes to wine. We thought you may be tired of always reading our opinions and it was a well-written email so we felt it was worth a posting as it’s own blog entry:
Wine glasses vs highball glasses - Every time you have another glass of wine, you re-fill the same glass, even when at a restaurant or bar. When you have another gin and tonic, you always receive a new glass with new ice (notice there is ICE in the glasses to keep the drink cold)You ALWAYS receive a new glass(unless you are at a kegger or the equivalent). Red wine is enjoyed, not only by taste, but by appearance, as well. We enjoy the color and legs of the wine and fingerprints on the glass would detract from the beauty of the wine. Also... if you are going to hold a red wine glass by the bowl, you would never want to hold it near the top of the glass... especially if it is a large balloon glass or a delicately thin crystal. Holding a large balloon by the top of the glass would be awkward and probably not very stable. Holding a delicately thin crystal or glass wine glass near the top of the glass would be dangerous. I have personally had one break in my hand just from the slightest pressure. Not a good thing. If you are going to hold a red wine glass/goblet by the bowl, you hold it near the stem between your middle and ring finger with your palm facing toward the bowl... It is much more stable that way. You swirl, sip and set the glass down so as not to warm the wine. I say by the stem is the best way at a party. You can hold your glass all night and it will stay crystal clear and won't be a warm smudgy mess. I would rather go into a party with beautifully clear wine glasses sparkling with beautiful burgundy tones glowing in the light, rather that into a party with a bunch of smudged up cloudy glasses. Not quite as appealing to those who enjoy feasting with their eyes as well as their pallets.
That's the difference between a wine glass and a regular glass... wine glasses have stems. The stems are there for a reason. If they were just for looks, we would use stemmed glasses for milk and water, as well. In Belgium beer is served in stemmed glasses, as well, so as not to have your hand warm the beer. We lived in Europe for 6 years and learned a lot about beer and wine while there. Beer is NOT served warm, ever. Funny, since that's what everyone here says...
Anwyay... I hope you don't take offense. I was hoping to clarify some things that the snobs may not have explained properly. -Stacy Reillo
11/18/06
(Saturday) - South Seattle Artisan Wineries Open to the Public!
Four award winning South Seattle wineries are open to the public for tasting for a limited time! We are lucky here in Washington to have access to such high quality boutique wines, but many of the operations do not have tasting rooms open to enjoy the wines before you buy and mingle with the winemakers. However, there is a growing trend of these small “warehouse” wineries to convert a potion of their places to tasting rooms and open up for tasting. These four are joining in and you should be excited, here’s why:
These four boutique wineries located just south of downtown Seattle have formed an alliance, “South Seattle Artisan Wineries”. Cadence Winery, Fall Line Winery, Nota Bene Cellars, and OS Winery (formerly Owen-Sullivan) are opening their wineries for tasting on November 18th, December 2nd, and December 9th from 1pm to 5pm.
OS Winery has been cranking out highly acclaimed wines pulling down 90’s to 94’s from Wine Spectator as well as an Outstanding in Northwest Wine Press. In addition to Cadence Winery being called Washington’s newest cult winery they also won 2002 “Artisan Winery of the Year” from Wine & Spirits Magazine, and were chosen as one of the top 100 reasons the editors of Food and Wine magazine love wine. Fall Line Winery specializes in Bordeaux-style blends, featuring fruit from some of the most prized vineyard sites in Washington State. Each of the wines is crafted in artisan fashion and production is limited. Nota Bene Cellars was featured as a winery to watch and visit in Seattle in Wine Spectator Oct. 15th, 2004 issue and has received a platinum award and an outstanding from Wine Press Northwest.
Get out to visit these wineries while you can to discover some of Washington’s finest! Directions may be found for each winery on the web sites by clicking above. -JC
11/13/06
(Monday) - A new reason to get to the airport early!
 The traveling wine lover in you is about to meet its soul mate at the new upscale Seatac airport wine bar called Vino Vollo. Travelers are no longer forced to drink crappy glass pours from the airport bar! This shop serves high-end wines by the glass, great flights, or you can purchase a bottle to take with you. I applaud Vino Volo for their outstanding Washington wine selection with the high-end rarities like Quilceda Creek, Leonetti, and Woodward Canyon. They also feature some more affordable Washington wines as well as a nice selection from California, Italy, and France. This is great opportunity to get travelers turned on to the premium wines of Washington State and to help spread our wines around the country. Vino Volo is in the central terminal of the airport and is open daily from 9am to 11pm. You can check them out online at: http://www.vinovolo.com/. They also offer a small menu of gourmet hours d’ oeuvres and small bites to go with your wines. So the next time you get to the airport early and have some time to kill I suggest relaxing in this new upscale wine bar. It will put you in the right state of mind for travel. -JC
11/08/06
(Wednesday) - Washington Syrah Spotlight
In the November issue of Wine Enthusiast Washington Syrahs were given the spotlight on the first page of the buying guide with some kind words and a slough of high scores ranging from 91 to 95. The mini article states that “Washington State is hot”, and Washington syrah pioneers such as David Lake, Rusty Figgins, and Doug McCrea paved the way for the great syrahs that Washington State is now pumping out. They rated such high value syrahs as Stephenson Cellars 2003 Syrah (94) for $28, Januik Winery 2003 Syrah (93) for $30 up to some pricier but worth it options such as Andrew Will’s 2002 Annie Camarda Syrah (95) for $58, Matthews 2004 Hedges Vineyard Syrah (94) for $50, and Dunham’s 2004 Lewis Vineyard Syrah (94) for $75. The great scores and high quality wines should not be a surprise to any of us who are familiar with our state’s wine industry but just wait until they realize we make more than syrah! -JC
11/02/06
(Thursday) - Red Wine, The Secret to a Longer Life!
So there’s good news out there for all you wine drinkers! Scientists may have found a way to extend life and override an unhealthy lifestyle. And, lucky for you, it includes wine!
A recent study suggests that Resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may actually slow down the aging process. Well, at least the life of lab mice anyway. Resveratrol, when fed to mice along with a high-fat diet enabled them to live longer with fewer diseases than mice who didn’t get it. Tests found Resveratrol actually activated genes that protect against the effects of aging, essentially neutralizing the harmful effects of a bad diet on the animals' health and life span.
Dr. David Sinclair, a Harvard University molecular biologist who led the study, speculates that the same compound can be used to fight diseases of aging in humans like diabetes, cancer and alzheimer's. To get enough of this substance in wine however you would have to drink gallons a day. So, raise your glass, cheers to longer life and get to drinking!
For more information read the Seattle Times article or watch the report that aired on NBC News. -MP
11/01/06
(Wednesday) - Definately Desirable But Not That Rare
I always enjoy reading articles on value wines, such as Wine Enthusiast’s (11/15/06) newest feature “Best Buys for the Pennywise.” As high scores drive wine prices up it’s nice to find those special gems that remain affordable but still provide the same quality, and maybe even a greater sense of overall satisfaction given the price. However, as I was reading the section on “Quick Cues to Vinous Values” I was shocked by the first sentence for the Pacific Northwest. “Value wines from the Pacific Northwest are somewhat rare, but highly desirable.” While I can’t comment in detail on Oregon and Idaho, I know for a fact that Washington is one of the top states in the country for value wines. And not just for “stainless steel-fermented” whites either. There are a tremendous number of exceptional values found all across the state, which even Wine Enthusiast has recognized. Within the past year they have rated at least 123 Washington wines, $20 and under, with scores of 87 - 93 (very good to excellent). Twenty-five of these wines scored 90 points or more and thirty-nine received best buy awards. California only received 30 best buys under the same criteria. In this recent article, out of the 96 wines featured Washington held 10 of those. That’s better than 10%, which included wines from around the world not just the U.S. To me that seems a bit better than “somewhat rare”. -MP
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