In the last couple of years, I’ve developed a real hankering for Syrah. As so often happens, I became a fan of Syrah while tasting northern Rhône wines. Then I moved to Washington state, home of highly prized Syrah, and experienced the intense, savory wines made from Yakima Valley and Walla Walla Valley grapes. All […]
Margaret River Shiraz kicks off virtual trip Down Under (#WorldWineTravel) Read More »
Until recently, I played my wine and food pairing cards conservatively. Rarely did I attempt to pair a red wine with poultry, for example. As for chocolate, which I love nearly as much as wine, I avoided pairing the two in fear sweetness in the chocolate would cause my dry wine to taste bitter. I
Wine or chocolate on your gift list? Why not pair them? Read More »
Washington state grows more Cabernet Sauvignon than any other grape. Merlot is the second most-planted variety. The stars seem aligned for Bordeaux-style blends. East of the Cascade Mountains, warm summers and dry harvest seasons favor late-ripening grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, the foundation for Bordeaux-style blends that showcase Washington state’s characteristic high acidity and aromatic fruit.
In Walla Walla, stars align for Bordeaux-style blends Read More »
‘Tis the season of thanksgiving – a time to take stock and express gratitude through words, actions and special holiday gatherings. Like you, I’m thankful for many things. But speaking as a wine blogger, in particular, I’m especially grateful to belong to a community of writers and consumers who value wine and the people who
Saying thanks for wine community with Co Dinn Syrah Read More »
After opening a handful of robust California wines for #MerlotMe month, it was back to my home state of Washington for two by Walla Walla producer L’Ecole No. 41. If you were tasting these wines blind, you might not guess they’re related. These two are like second cousins or first cousins, once removed. Aside from
Wrapping up #MerlotMe month with a pair of Washington ‘cousins’ Read More »