Taste Washington

In times like these, everyone wants to find phenomenal wines that represent real value, especially in the low- to medium-price ranges.  While Washington State will always be an amazing super-premium wine region, it also boasts some of the world’s finest wines between $10 and $20.  Don’t believe us?  Well, we would like to prove it through a friendly fixture with other great wine regions like France, California and Australia.  Sara Schneider of Sunset Magazine will choose five grapes and compare our efforts to those of the rest of the world at the same price for each variety.

Moderator: Sara Schneider (Sunset Magazine)
Panelists: Andrea Immer-Robinson MS (Simply Wine on Fine Living Network, andreawine.com), Juan Muñoz-Oca (Red Winemaker, Columbia Crest), Tom Wark (Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog), Emily Wines MS (Kimpton Hotels)

Wines:

• Domaine Alary 2008 “La Grange Daniel” Roussanne, Vins de Pays, FR $15
• Isenhower Cellars 2008 “Snapdragon White” Roussanne/Viognier, RM $19
• Dopff & Irion 2007 Riesling, Alsace, FR $16
• Pacific Rim 2007 “Walulla Vineyard Biodynamic” Riesling, CV $18
• Christian Mouiex 2005 Merlot, Bordeaux, FR $15
• Columbia Crest 2007 “H3″ Merlot, HHH $14
• Alexander Valley Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA $17
• Owen Roe 2007 “Sharecropper’s” Cabernet Sauvingon, CV $14
• Cimicky 2008 “Trumps” Shiraz, Barossa Valley, AUS $17
• Boomtown 2007 Syrah, CV $15

CV – Columbia Valley AVA

HHH – Horse Heaven Hills AVA

RM – Red Mountain AVA

WA – Washington State

Who will be the next Cayuse Vineyards, Col Solare, Leonetti Cellar or Woodward Canyon Winery?  With a new winery license bonded every 10 days in our state, and incredible interest in the world-class quality of Washington State grapes, there are stunning new talents staking a claim and creating their own legacy.  Potential Icons of Tomorrow like Côte Bonneville, EFESTÉ, Gramercy Cellars and Grand Rêve Vintners will have to demonstrate that all the recent attention they have received is deserved… in front of Bruce Schoenfeld of Travel and Leisure Magazine, some of the brightest wine minds in the country – and a few Icons of Today.

Moderator: Bruce Schoenfeld (Travel and Leisure Magazine)
Panelists: Doug Frost MS/MW (United Airlines, dougfrost.com), Joshua Greene (Wine and Spirits Magazine), Michael Teer (Pike and Western Wine Shop)

Wines:

• Col Solare 2006, CV $75
• Côte Bonneville 2006 “Côte Bonneville”, YV $120
• EFESTÉ 2007 “Big Papa” Cabernet Sauvignon, CV $45
• Gramercy Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV $42
• Gramercy Cellars 2007 “John Lewis” Syrah, WWV $65
• Grand Rêve Vintners 2006 “I” Red Wine, RM $45
• Grand Rêve Vintners 2006 “III” Red Wine, RM $45
• Woodward Canyon Winery 2007 “Old Vine” Cabernet Sauvignon, WA $75

The rising popularity of this grape variety in recent years is astounding.  Seattle Magazine recognizes that Washington State’s offerings are truly delicious, having awarded it Best Emerging Variety in their 2009 Best of Washington Wine Awards. Join their wine columnist Jake Kosseff and an esteemed panel as they taste through Seattle Magazine’s top rated “Mighty Malbecs” to see why Washington has such a bright future with this emerging rock star variety.

Moderator: Jake Kosseff (Seattle Magazine and Wild Ginger Restaurants)
Panelists: Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling (Washington State University), Christopher Miller (Spago Beverly Hills), Anna Schafer (àMaurice Cellars), Sean Sullivan (wawinereport.com)

Wines:

• àMaurice Cellars 2006 Malbec, CV $35
• Domaine de la Bérangeraie 2006 Cahors, FR $18
• Dusted Valley Vintners 2007 Malbec, CV $35
• Ksana 2006 Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, ARG $18
• Saviah Cellars 2007 Malbec, WWV $30
• Wines of Substance 2007 Malbec, CV $20

A fan favorite every year!  Powder blue tuxedos…flashing lights…answer buzzers! Join the fun game show-like atmosphere where audience members pit off against one another and try to guess which wines are from Washington State in a blind tasting situation – with the help of “Families” of the country’s most accomplished wine palates as your lifeline. Learn the basics of blind tasting and the “typical flavors” of our world-class wine with Washington Wine Commission Master Sommelier Shayn Bjornholm – then apply your newfound skills to win a bottle of some of Washington’s finest!

Moderator: Shayn Bjornholm, MS (Washington Wine Commission)
Master Sommelier Family: Doug Frost MS/MW (United Airlines, dougfrost.com), Greg Harrington MS (Gramercy Cellars), Emily Wines MS (Kimpton Hotels)
Seattle Sommelier Family: Christopher Chan (The Rainier Club), Christopher Miller (formerly of Canlis Restaurant, now with Spago in Beverly Hills), Thomas Price (The Metropolitan Grill)

Wines:

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One of the biggest names in Cabernet Sauvignon the world over is none other than our own Quilceda Creek Vintners.  Alex and Paul Golitzin have created some of the most lauded wines on the planet from grapes grown in two of Washington’s most famous wine regions: Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain.  In the rarest of opportunities, Bruce Schoenfeld of Travel and Leisure Magazine will join Alex Golitzin and an esteemed panel to investigate the flavor differences of the two vineyard areas – and the making of a modern day legend.

Moderator: Bruce Schoenfeld (Travel and Leisure Magazine)
Panelists: Alex Golitzin (Quilceda Creek Vintners), Andrea Immer-Robinson MS (Simply Wine on Fine Living Network, andreawine.com), Heather John (Bon Appétit Magazine)

Wines:

• Quilceda Creek Vintners 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV $200
• Quilceda Creek Vintners 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV $175
• Quilceda Creek Vintners 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV $150
• Quilceda Creek Vintners 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, CV $125
• Quilceda Creek Vintners 2005 “Galitzine Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, RM $110
• Quilceda Creek Vintners 2006 “Galitzine Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, RM $98
• Quilceda Creek Vintners 2007 “Galitzine Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, RM $98

There simply is no bigger name on the Seattle restaurant scene.  Chef Tom Douglas will guide you through classic dishes from his downtown culinary empire with Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, Today Show wine correspondent Leslie Sbrocco and Purple Café and Wine Bar sommelier Dawn Smith, all giving their thoughts on what types of wine would pair well – and why.  Then they’ll have some fun playing “Tom vs. Somm” – where Tom and Dawn will both choose a different Washington State wine to go with each dish.  The catch?  You, the audience, vote to decide if one works best!

Moderator: Michael Teer (Pike and Western Wine Shop)
Panelists: Tom Douglas (Tom Douglas Restaurants), Stephanie Izard (Bravo’s Top Chef winner, Girl and The Goat Restaurant), Leslie Sbrocco (Wine for Women, The Today Show wine correspondent), Dawn Smith (Heavy Restaurant Group)

Wines:

• Buty 2008 “Connor Lee Vineyard” Chardonnay, CV $35
• Chinook Wines 2007 Cabernet Franc, YV $22
• Kyra Wines 2008 Chenin Blanc, CV $12
• Lullaby Winery 2007 Viognier, WWV $28
• Rôtie Cellars 2007 “Northern Blend” Syrah-Viognier, WA $35
• Sleight of Hand Cellars 2008 “The Magician” Gewurztraminer, CV $17
• Three Rivers Winery 2007 Merlot, CV $20
• Waters Winery 2009 Rosé of Syrah, WWV $18

The French term “terroir” claims that vineyard location is key to wine character and quality.  So this in-depth look at one of Washington State’s most established vineyards will provide the chance to taste – and test – that idea.  Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery will pilot Dick Boushey, owner of Yakima Valley’s famed Boushey Vineyards, alongside leading national wine authorities and local winemakers who utilize Boushey grapes—all to see how one patch of ground shows in the glass!

Moderator: Bob Betz, MW (Betz Family Winery)
Panelists: Dick Boushey (Boushey Vineyards), Joshua Greene (Wine and Spirits Magazine), Dr. Kevin Pogue (Whitman College), Sara Schneider (Sunset Magazine)

Wines:

• Betz Family Winery 2008 “La Serenne”Syrah, YV $55
• Betz Family Winery 2008 “La Côte Rousse” Syrah, RM $55
• The Bunnell Family Cellar 2007 “Boushey-McPherson” Syrah, YV $43
• Forgeron Cellars 2008 “La Serenne Block” Syrah – Barrel Sample, YV $45
• JM Cellars 2007 “Boushey Vineyard” Syrah, YV $40
• Maison Bleue 2008 “Liberté” Syrah, YV $40
• Sparkman Cellars 2007 “The Darkness” Syrah, YV $50