More Vinho Verde!

Image is courtesy of snooth.com

  I haven't met a person yet who disliked a Vinho Verde.  It could happen, but it hasn't.  Vinho Verde is a Portugese wine from the Minho region which means, 'Green Wine' that is youthful and can appear to be slightly green around the edges.  Some of them can be either white or red, and if white, can have little to much effervescence.

  The one I'm trying today is white with subtle effervescence and it's perfect for today if you live in Seattle or pretty much anywhere else--clear skies!  However, imagine you're somewhere else--imagine you're on an island, on a private beach with only the sound of waves to keep you company and then someone hands you a glass of 2008--Terra Antiga Vinho Verde.  Are you there yet?  On the nose, you get balanced lemon and grapefruit notes which pair nicely with softer and sweeter melon notes.  Enjoy it--you may want to continue smelling this one before you move onto the palate.  Once you decide to move on to the palate, you notice more of that crisp grapefruit, melon, bright acidity and great mouthfeel in this light bodied wine.  Delicioso!  When you're ready for the finish, you get more of those crisp, clean and bright citrus notes which leave you wanting more!

  Vinho Verdes can pair with almost anything since they have enough acidity to hold up to any rich foods.  In this case, Terra Antiga would pair perfectly with any soft cheeses,  heirloom tomato salad and grilled tilapia.  Come check out this wine here at Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines and visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff!

Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

Dry Mouth Merlot

 
  I find that when you ask people about Merlot they either cringe or they smile.  To the experienced taster, Merlot may seem second rate to Cab, but to the new comer, Merlot is very easy to fall in love with.  I think great Merlots can rival any Cab, but many have a tendency to be quite fruit driven and one note.  In other words, boring.

  So, I give you my review of my new favorite, 2008-Trout Trilogy Merlot.  For those who are unfamiliar with this name, it's a side project from Canoe Ridge Vineyard which makes great wines including a few reserve ones.  Dense dried figs and bright cherries pair nicely with balanced pepper notes on the nose.  You can tell just by smelling it, that this wine has much complexity.  On the palate, more of those dried figs and bright cherries marry well with great acidity giving you nice mouthfeel.  This is one of those Merlots that sucks the moisture right out of your mouth and I personally love that.  Earthy and herbaceous flavors lead to the finish which is built upon more layers of pepper and dried currants.  Once you've finished the small taste, you will most likely want hold up your glass for another pour!

  This wine would pair perfectly with duck confit, goat cheese and even dark chocolate truffles.  If you get a chance, please come visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff here at Seattle Wine Outlet (Sodo), where we are currently pouring this Merlot!


Ciao!
Erin

Pepper, Tobacco and Leather

Image is courtesy of rezin.com
 
  Often enough, I find myself looking for a new wine to blog about, but nothing jumps out at me as a memorable wine.  Then before I know it, it's right in front of me.  This wine I'm about to review hails from the Gaillac Appellation in France where they are known for a handful of varietals including Syrah.  What makes Syrahs from France so special is that they taste nothing like the often jammy, earthy, yet fruit driven ones we find here in the states.

  So here it is--2010 Causse Marines "Peyrouzelles."  Since they characterize their wines by region, Gaillac is the appellation, Causse Marines is the producer and Peyrouzelles is the vineyard.  It all sounds very confusing, but trust me, it's superb!  Pepper, tobacco and leather are prevalent on the nose making for a great conversation wine.  On the palate, bright cherries and toasted oak balance well with great acidity, solid tannins and more of that pepper, tobacco and leather.  Cigars are what come to mind by the time you reach the silky smooth finish which quite simply gives off even more pepper, tobacco and leather.  Now I know that this wine may seem overwhelmingly earthy and spicy, but I truly believe you will enjoy this one of a kind wine.  Also, give it time and in a year or two this wine will have even more layers and complexity.

  As for food, I would pair this wine with grilled lamb, roasted smashed potatoes and arugula salad.  Come try this wine here at Greenlake Wines and visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff before it's gone!

Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

You say you don't like sweet--we'll see

Image is courtesy of snooth.com
  In my experience working at wine bars, wineries and tasting rooms, people almost always say they don't like dessert wines.  They use, "It's too sweet" as an excuse to not try a wine.  What I've discovered, however, is that if you, as the employee say, "Just try it", they will!  Now if you truly don't like dessert wines, I am not going to convert you, but know this--you're missing out.

  Italy's famous Moscato D'Asti happens to be my favorite white dessert wine.  The reason I love this varietal so much is because there are so many flavor compounds packed into this grape and the good ones have an orange zest flavor that I cannot resist.  The one I am reviewing today is 2007 Moncalvina--Moscato D'Asti.  Right off the bat, there is that orange zest and lemon rind on the nose.  Along with all this citrus is sweet honeysuckle and fresh pear notes that you will definitely want to spend much time smelling.  Starfruit is the first flavor I get on the palate as well as more orange zest and honeysuckle.  The finish is bright lemon with great acidity and leaves you with the sweet taste of raw honey comb.

  When thinking about what to pair this with, my mouth is watering.  My favorite TV food personality, Giada De Laurentiis has some delicious recipes for nutella biscotti, salted caramel chocoates and raspberry loaf cakes that would all be perfect pairings for this sweet wine.  Come visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff here at Greenlake Wines to try this on the glass menu or take a bottle home for only ten dollars!

 
Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

Sparkling Shiraz for All!

Image is courtesy of wine.com
 
  This may or may not be an acquired taste.  Shiraz is Australia's love child and what most people only know as Syrah.  When I think of Shiraz/Syrah, I think full-bodied dark fruit, earthy and sometimes gamey notes.  You get that deep dark earthy Shiraz and you make it bubbly while leaving a bit of residual sugar and you get "The Chook", one of Australia's most unique wines.

  Okay, you most likely think I'm crazy at this point, but this wine is awesome because it is everything you love about a Shiraz and everything you love about a sparkling wine.  Deep dark cherry notes pair beautifully with chocolate nibs and toasted oak on the nose.  The palate is full-bodied with present effervescence, subtle sweetness and a solid tannin structure.  That dark chocoate cherry flavor continues on the palate and may make you think fondly of Ben and Jerry's famous, Cherry Garcia ice cream.  The finish is more of that dark chocolate, creamy oak and ripe plums which linger on your palate for quite some time.  Yum!

  This wine is truly unique and memorable--I can only imagine how difficult it would be to produce with such beauty.  I think this wine could pair with anything from a filet mignon to a chocolate torte.  Come visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff here at Greenlake Wines where it is currently on the glass menu.  It is also available at Seattle Wine Outlet.

Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

Light White for your Never Ending Summer!

Image is courtesy of vinolist.com
  If you live in Seattle like me, it's raining today.  No really, it is.  Even though we are moving into fall, we don't have to give up whites quite yet, because I found one that may inspire you to forget all about fall.  In my mind, there are mainly two types of white wine drinkers--the person who loves Sauvignon Blanc and the person who loves Chardonnay.  I am the latter, but don't get me wrong, I don't discriminate against varietals if they are made well.  The thing many people don't realize is that white blends tend to be pleasing to all, because they have all the characteristics we love from each varietal, but in smaller percentages and when you blend different varietals together, you get a more complex wine.

  Straight from Western Australia is a winery called Ironberry.  They make a 2008 Chardonnay-Viognier blend that is delicious to say the least.  This blend is made up of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Viognier.  What people usually dislike about Chardonnay is when it is over oaked.  On the other hand, what people usually dislike about Viognier is how floral it can be.  This blend makes each varietal shine and leaves you wanting more.  Pear, honeysuckle and lime notes stand out on the nose making this a very approachable white.  When you get to the palate, you notice subtle balanced oak, white peaches, vanilla and an overall lovely mouthfeel.  The finish is clean with bright acidity and more of those lime notes you got on the nose.  What really makes this wine stand out is that it is a fruit driven light white that you don't need to think too deeply about and right now it is only ten dollars here at Greenlake Wines/Seattle Wine Outlet!

  A couple ideas for food pairing include soft cheeses, grilled tuna and a mixed green salad with mango.  If this wine sounds as good to you, please feel free to stop by Greenlake Wines/Seattle Wine Outlet to visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff and try it for yourself!

Ciao!
Erin


(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

Finca Domingo, More of that Malbec!

  Today has been like any other day at Greenlake Wines, deliveries, customers and reps.  The only thing about today that is different is that I met the distributor for Vinos Argentinos, John who imports wines for Finca Domingo as well as Domingo Molina which are only two of four labels represented by this winery.  After pouring me a large splash of 2010 Finca Domingo Malbec, John said to me, "Your co-workers are going to be very jealous of you."

  Now, before I write about the nose, palate and finish, you should know that the vineyards the grapes are sourced from a remote small region called Salta in Argentina.  The various vineyards that are represented through out all the wines range from 6,000-over 7,000 feet above sea level which makes this region highly regarded for its' soil and micro climate--a truly special wine.

  Alright, now let's talk about the wine!  This particular Malbec is produced from the Yacochuya vineyards which sit about 6,400 feet above sea level.  Deep dark cherries, dried dates and pepper on the nose make for a fun thrill for the senses.  The color is of black raspberries and there is no seeing through this one, full bodied and robust.  The palate is full of ripe plums, vanilla bean, pepper and silky smooth tannins--a complex wine with out being one you have to think about too deeply.  Loads of peppercorns co-mingle nicely with more vanilla bean and plum flavors on the finish and then John says to me, "Wait about 30 minutes and try it again."  What?!  There's more?  So in 30 minutes, I pick up my glass, swirl it about and I smell dark chocolate nibs and dried herbs!  This wine has evolved into something amazing--more chocolate nibs on the palate with the ever present dark plum notes, vanilla bean and pepper.  Then, the finish is smokey with even more nibs, dried herbs and black peppercorns that linger.

  This wine isn't even in the shop yet, but I truly hope it comes soon--it's delicious!  Come visit myself and the rest of our lovely staff here at Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines!


  Ciao!
  Erin


  

Earthy, Herbaceous Cabernet

Image is courtesy of snooth.com

  When I think about Argentina, I think Malbec.  Just as Cab is to Napa, Zin is to Sonoma, Sauvignon Blanc is to New Zealand, Malbec is to Argentina.  Well, they make other lovely single varietals as well.  Just minutes ago I tried this 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from Domingo Molina and thought, I need to write about this wine!

  Old world style is prominent in this new world wine.  When you swirl your glass, in my case--like an italian, you notice the deep ruby color and the fact that this is a full bodied wine.  Earthy and herbaceous notes pair nicely with subtle dried cherries and balanced oak on the nose.  As I write so often, this is definitely a wine to savor and continue smelling as long as you please.  Bittersweet chocolate and dried herbs on the palate play nicely with velvety tannins that indicate much time bottle aging.  Toasted oak and more of that earthy, bittersweet chocolate continue to fill your mouth with the finish and you may find yourself raising your glass up as if to say, "More?"  This full bodied Cab from Argentina is a true gem and I hope you get a chance to try it while it's still here at Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines.

  Before I leave you, I want to give you some of my ideas for pairing food with this wine.  This Cab would pair nicely with an arugula and roasted beet salad, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, or your favorite dark chocolate!  Come by and see myself and the rest of our lovely staff here at Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines and pick up some earthy, herbaceous Domingo Molina Cab!


  Ciao!
  Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

Starry Night, Dreamy Zinfandel

Image is courtesy of winelibrary.com

  Life is made up of relationships--so is wine.  There are going to be plenty of wines you are infatuated with, date and ultimately take home.  2007 Starry Night Zinfandel, Sonoma County is the latter for me.  Let me start by talking about Zinfandel.  This varietal is one we see primarily coming out of Sonoma, Ca--the reason for that is simply because of their climate.  Zinfandel typically likes warmer climates and tends to produce fruit forward raspberry, blackberry and pepper notes that can be medium to full bodied.

    Starry Night Winery is a lovely winery producing excellent Sonoma style wines at even more lovely prices and right now, this wine is at both Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines. They allure you with their play on Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night paintings which you come to enjoy admiring apart from the wine.  Then you get to the wine and that's when all the magic happens.  Dark blackberries and blueberries on the nose are a sign of good quality, ripe fruit.  More of those blackberries and blueberries hit you on the palate with toasted oak in a medium bodied, fruit driven style.  Did I mention, that there is great mouthfeel on the palate and in addition to the dark fruit, there are dense dried figs and sweet currants--my mouth is watering just thinking and writing about this wine!  The finish is truly magical, blackberries linger on your palate and just when you think you are done, creamy, toasted oak and loads of black peppercorns fill your mouth! 

  The neatest thing about this wine, aside from being ridiculously good?  It's only 15 dollars here at Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines!  Please come try this delicious wine on our glass pour menu here at Greenlake Wines also, and I truly believe you may ultimately take this dreamy Zinfandel home!


  Ciao!
  Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove if from the blog.  Thank you).

More grass in your Sauvignon Blanc

Image is courtesy of wine-searcher.com

  One thing that I absolutely love about working for Seattle Wine Outlet is that I am exposed to a vast array of international wines.  Among some of the international wines I try, there are a handful of lovely whites.  Most of us, I believe prefer reds through out the year.  However, if warm enough and with the right meal, we will most certainly drink white over red.

  My new favorite hails from Marlborough, one of the most prevalent regions and districts in New Zealand--2008 Sacred Hill (Marlborough Vineyards) Sauvignon Blanc.  This wine is grass, grass and more grass .  Now, if grassy notes in a wine don't appeal to you, this is definitely not your wine.  On the other hand, if you are new to this style of wine, try to understand that these grassy notes that are so obvious in New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are not only a characteristic of the grape variety itself, but also a characteristic of the region and climate.  Although, more robust in flavor than many other Sauvigon Blancs, paired with the right variety of complimentary notes and flavors, you may be persuaded you to give New Zealand wines another go.  Fresh cut grass is the first thing I smell on the nose in addition to bright lemon and honeysuckle--a wine you can spend much time just smelling!  More of those grassy notes hit you immediately on the palate with sweet melon and tart grapefruit notes.  Lemon notes linger on the finish and then at the very end, more of that fresh cut grass that enticed you initially.

  I know, personally, I am always curious about what food to pair with various wines.  This wine, for example, would pair perfectly with a creamy, floral goat cheese and grilled salmon with lemon and parsley.  If you want to try more grass in your Sauvignon Blanc, come see me and the rest of our lovely staff here at Seattle Wine Outlet and Greenlake Wines!

    Ciao!
    Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have any of your photos, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog.  Thank you).

Spokane Valley--Townshend Cellar

Image is courtesy of Spokane Wine Magazine

  The last day of my trip to Spokane Valley was one of the best days--we went to Townshend Cellar.  Townshend, I did not realize produces over 10,000 cases per year and over 20 different wines!  This winery is right in the middle of tourist destination, Greenbluff, which is home to several orchards, ranches and lavender fields.  As I mentioned, there are about 20 different wines and I tried nearly all of them, however, a few stood out as unique and memorable wines to me.

  Townshend Cellar makes a Lemberger!  If you are wondering what this is, it's a grape variety out of Germany--it can range from light and fruit driven to robust with good tannin structure.  The one Townshend makes--2007 Lemberger, is the latter with a deep hue of purple.  It has a nose full of black cherries, sweet figs and cinnamon.  You may notice an earthy smokiness on the palate and more of those figs you got in the nose--just writing about it makes me want a glass!  The finish is truly beautiful, smooth and long with smokey pepper notes that linger on--a wine that would pair perfectly with a variety of cheeses and stand up to almost any cut of meat or if vegetarian, your favorite hearty pasta dish.

  Not many wineries, in my opinion, can pull off an excellent Cab Franc. The varietal is a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is made up of its' other parent, Sauvignon Blanc.  Cab Franc typically is lighter in body than Cabernet Sauvignon and is peppery--sometimes it can produce notes that are vegetal, sometimes reminiscent of green peppers.  I hate wine that tastes like green peppers so I avoid Cab Francs that have this herbaceous characteristic.  Townshend Cellar, however, makes a lovely 2004 Cab Franc.  By the vintage, you can tell this wine has had plenty of time to age well in the bottle.  On the nose, there is subtle earthiness and black peppercorns that leave you longing to reach the palate.  The palate is light in body with soft tannins, bright cherries and present oak and once you get to the finish, there is even more of those black peppercorns.  This is definitely a wine that could stand up to semi-hard cheeses, salumi and even seafood.

  My favorite wine at Townshend Cellar would have to be the Late Harvest Chenin Blanc.  Chenin Blanc is a white grape variety out the the Loire Valley of France and is light in body with high acidity (which makes it able to set down longer than most light whites).  I have mostly had Chenin Blanc as a dry white, but it is lovely as a Late Harvest wine as well.  On the nose, bright citrus, creamy vanilla and subtle oak make this wine one you may spend much time smelling before you get to the palate.  Creamy vanilla is present on the palate in addition to mandarin orange and mild pepper notes.  More of the mandarin lingers on in the finish with distinct vanilla bean flavors--it's truly delicious and I made sure I didn't leave Townshend Cellar with out some of this goodness!

  There were so many wines that I truly enjoyed including the 2007 Malbec, 2003 Merlot, 2002 Reserve, Late Harvest Viognier, 1999 Port and 2000 Port.  If any of these wines appealed to you, follow any of the Townshend Cellar links and you can order from them or plan a trip to visit this outstanding winery!


Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove if from the blog.  Thank you).

 

Spokane Valley--Caterina Winery

Image is courtesy of Caterina Winery

  During my trip in Spokane, I got a chance to try wines from the very popular, Caterina Winery.  Located in the historic Broadview Dairy Building, Caterina Winery has been producing wines since 1993.  Though it has gone through many different owners and winemakers, this winery has recently come into its' own, producing lovely whites and reds in such a beautiful and charming atmosphere.

  One of the wines that stuck out to me among the twenty something wines I tried was the 2001 Seven Hills Merlot.  On the nose, soft, lush and dense dark fruit is proof that this wine has had much time to age well in the bottle.  On the palate, dried raspberries, subtle oak and great mouthfeel are balanced with enough acidity to make this wine a great one on its' own or a compliment to any well prepared entree.  The finish is velvety and smooth with notes of vanilla that linger on and on after you have finished this wine.  It is excellent and a wine that I remember fondly.

  The second wine that I absolutely fell in love with is their 2001 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon.  You could say that I fall easily for wines produced using Walla Walla fruit--Seven Hills is a vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley Appellation and in my opinion, they are producing some of the best fruit in Washington, hands down.  This Cab is another wine that has held up quite perfectly in the bottle due to the quality of fruit and the solid tannin structure.  The nose is full of dark and ripe blackberries, pepper and even more present oak than in the Merlot.  On the palate, rich, robust blackberries, earthiness and french oak fill your mouth in this full bodied wine.  The finish is silky and smooth with beautiful floral notes--definitely a wine you may find yourself falling madly in love with.

  These are my two picks from Caterina Winery and I hope you get a chance to try them before they are gone.  If they sound delicious to you as well, please follow the link to Caterina Winery and order yourself some of these great wines!


Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I site and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I have any of your photos, please let me know and I will be happy to remove if from the blog.  Thank you).

Spokane Valley--Barrister Wines

Image is courtesy of Spokane Wine Magazine

  This last week, I got the chance while on vacation, to tour some of Spokane Valleys most impressive wineries.  To my surprise, not only are these wineries making great wine, but they are also paving the way for Spokane Valley to be a destination spot.

  Barrister, one of the more familiar wineries to me, was an absolute thrill to see.  Located in a one hundred  year old building, the winery is situated right in the heart of the historic Davenport Arts District.  Not only did my family and I get to tour the winery with the both kind and knowledgeable assistant winemaker, but we also got a chance to do barrel samples of both New French oak as well as New American oak, which impart completely different flavors in the wine.

  One of my favorite wines in the tasting room is their 2010 Red Mountain Sauvignon Blanc.  For the person who dislikes how tart and acidic the average Sauvignon Blanc can be, this is your wine.  On the nose there is plenty of honeysuckle, pear and tropical fruit to keep you perfectly content. When you reach the palate, it is evident that there is about one percent residual sugar which gives off even more slightly sweet honeysuckle and balances well with crisp lemon notes.  Then, you reach the finish which is bright, acidic and clean.  In my mind, this is the perfect summer wine.  I would definitely agree with Wine Enthusiast for giving this wine 92 points--it's superb!

  Another excellent wine from Barrister would have to be their red table wine, 'Rough Justice.'  This wine is a non-vintage and consists of 43% Merlot, 26% Syrah, 19% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This blend changes each time they release it due to the fact that it is a non-vintage and the style they want to go for.  On the nose, there is lush and earthy dark dried fruit almost reminiscent of an Amarone.  The palate is balanced with toasted oak, black cherries, more of that dense dried fruit as well as a strong and solid tannin structure.  At the finish, there is a pleasant smokiness and more of those black cherries you got in the palate.  This wine also received a Gold Medal from the American Fine Wines Competition and I would absolutely recommend it as a perfect all year round wine.

  I was impressed by many of the other wines that Barrister had to offer including the 2009 Merlot, 2009 Sangiovese and 2008 Cabernet Franc.  If any of these wines appeal to you, feel free to follow the Barrister link to visit their website and possibly even plan a trip to Spokane Valley!


Ciao!
Erin

(I try to list all the images I use and if possible, the photographers who take these lovely photos.  If I use a photo of yours, please let me know and I will be happy to remove it from the blog).