4th Annual Kitsap Wine Festival

Last weekend I had the pleasure to enjoy the 4^th Annual Kitsap Wine Festival at the Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton, Washington.  This event brought together some of the best wineries within Washington and Oregon in order to raise money to benefit the Harrison Medical Center Foundation.

Besides enjoying amazing wines there was also delicious food and brews to enjoy.  It was well worth the entrance fee and I was especially impressed with the overall organization.

I would like to share some of my favorites from the day.  I recently listed in a former blog other wineries that also were present at this event but since I did a recent review of their wines I felt it was important to bring you some new wineries to explore. 

Hightower Cellars – Red Mountain, Washington

Out of Line 2009 – a Blend – Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot – rich, structured and a little complex.  It has a gentle nose with a mild finish.

Pepper Bridge 2008 – 100% Merlot – mild in nose, slight taste of tannins, very mild for a merlot.  Acceptable.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot – nose is lovely and I feel the essence of fruit deep in my nose as I enjoy the aroma.  The taste is a nice blend and mild.

Pondera Winery – Woodinville, Washington

Malbec 2009 – excellent, not over powering with a lovely color.

Chardonnay 2011 – crisp, fruity with a touch of new French oak.

Forgeron Cellars – Walla Walla, Washington

Chardonnay 2010 – lovely, crisp and not over oaky.  Refreshing.

Naches Heights Vineyard – Yakima, Washington

Syrah 2010 – beautiful color with a deep rich taste.  The nose was mild but interesting.

Vuja De Rose – crisp, light with good flavor of fruit.  Very enjoyable.

Laurelhurst Cellars – Seattle, Washington

Red Wine – Blend – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Malbec – old vines, bold flavor, excellent taste.

Cabernet Sauvignon – old vines, good nose, fantastic flavor!!

Knight Hill – Zillah, Washington

Syrah 2009 – good color, great nose but strong in tannins.

Domingos Hermanos – Salta, Argentina

Finca Domingo Torrontes 2011 – White – No Oak!!  Crisp, delicious, full fruit flavor.  Nose and taste are wonderful.  You will really enjoy this wine done in the Argentine style.

Finca Domingo Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – rich in color and unbelievable rich earthy tones.  I could taste everything that had once grown in the soil and it was the most amazing complex, bold flavor.  Loved it!!

Finca Domingo Malbec 2011 – very mild nose but deep rich color.  The taste was mild and not over powering but complex without over doing it.  A simple easy Malbec that expands in taste with each sip.

Arch Terrace Wines – Benton City, Washington

Chardonnary 2009 – Light, crisp and not oaky, very enjoyable.

Merlot 2008 – Good in flavor and not too bold.

Wachtler Winery – Gig Harbor, Washington

Syrah 2010 – color was good.  Nose was gentle but rich in fruity aroma.  It had a mild finish and was delicious.

Malbec 2009 – Beautiful color, nose was gentle but seductive.  Really enjoyed this Malbec.

Note:  This winery is young but the wine master has a palate that is spot on and I look forward to enjoying his wine year after year.

Angel Vine – Carlton, Oregon

Zinfandel  2009 (Red) – light in taste with nice color. Lovely.

The Morgster 2010 – Pint Noir – this was something special from the wine maker himself.  Not on the list for tasting, he opened one of his special bottles so we could taste his personal creation.  It was wonderful!!   I hope he produces more.

So many wines, so little time.  If there was one drawback it would be the limited amount of time for this event.  2pm to 5:30pm is not a lot of time to sip and enjoy over 30 wineries.  I hope you will put this event on your calendar for next year, Saturday August 17, 2013.  Until then……Cheers! LD

Simple White Wine Sangria

My Sangria recipe re-posting for you to cool off from the summer heat.  Many recipes out there have a lot of ingredients, I made this one simple and refreshing, enjoy…Denise

1 bottle dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio)

2 shots of brandy

1 orange sliced

1 lime sliced

1 peach sliced

1 lemon sliced

2 shots of triple sec

1 shot of simple syrup (optional)

Club soda

Pour the wine in a pitcher add sliced fruits (be sure to wash your fruit before slicing) brandy, triple sec, stir and chill 2 -4 hours.  Before serving, add 1 liter of club soda, taste test to see if you need the simple syrup (you might need if your fruit isn’t that sweet).   That’s it, you are ready to chill!

Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival 2012

An event that I can highly recommend is the Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival.  This event was well coordinated and worth the entrance fee.  There were 30 wineries, 5 breweries and food tasting tables that complimented the wine/beer perfectly.  Tasting classes were also offered along with cooking demonstrations and a cook off competition.

There were so many things to drink and eat that I was unfortunately only able to get around to a small fraction of what was being offered.

 

Obelisco Red Mountain Estate Wines – Woodinville, Washington

Dry Riesling – VERY dry.  I would pair this with rich seafood and sweet deserts.

Mosquito Fleet Winery – Belfair, Washington

Meritage Blend 2009 – I love when you smell a wine and it tingles all your senses clear to the back of your throat and then leaves you with goose bumps.  That’s how I felt about this wine.  Paired with a meat slider it really brought out amazing flavors.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon –wonderful nose, loved the complexity it brought but not over powering.

Northwest Bubbles – Tasting Class – with Gail Werner-Forecki

D and I took a break to sit under the tutelage of Gail Werner-Forecki and learn about 4 “Sparkling Wines” (Champagne).

Domaine Ste. Michele Brut NV – It was light and fun to drink but didn’t have that over powering sweet or dry taste that most sparkling wines do.

Mountain Dome Winery Brut NV – This was truly my favorite out of all four.  It was such a pleasure to drink and paired great with food.  What shocked me most was that it’s under $20.00.

Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blanc Brut NV – This was good and I understand it is preferred by a former First Lady.

Argyle Brut 2008 – Very nice – old and new vines help to create this light sparkling wine.

Sozo Wines – Seahurst, Washington

I just want to say how impressed I was not only with the wine but with the mission of this company.  Their commitment to end hunger for orphans, windows and the homeless is commendable and I encougage everyone to visit their website - www.sozofriends.com

Potential Pinot Noir 2009 – Oh how I love a good Pinot Noir and this did not disappoint me at all. Gentle tones but rich in aroma.  I paired it with a salmon/cheese spread on good bread and the flavors burst through out my mouth.  A definite YES!

Generosity Tenpranillo/Syrah 2008 – Lots of Syrahs are too peppery and leave my palate wrung out.  NOT this one.  The Tenpranillo gives a balance to this wine that is gentle and enjoyable to drink.

Masquerade Wine Company – Bellingham, Washington

2011 Columbia Valley Viognier – Loved this delicious light fruity white wine.  It’s easy on the palate and goes very well with most foods.  I enjoyed the hint of lavender.

2007 Masquerade – I didn’t see this wine on their website and so I will quote my notes at the time of tasting:  “love the color, the smell tingles the senses and transports me to a fun lovin realm.  Love the complexity of the wine.” J

Madsen Family Cellars – Olympia, Washington

Cab Franc –This wine was very mild with nice tones and a lovely finish.  It’s nice to find a Cab Franc that doesn’t throw you off your feet but lifts you up to enjoy it.

Page Cellars – Woodinville, Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon – Loved  the full fruit (berry) taste that hit my mouth and the smell grabbed my senses.  Overall it was good but not too complex.

Chardonnay – It was very light and not too oaky.  I personally don’t like a lot of oak.

Semillon Blanc – This was semi-sweet with a nice balance and very refreshing.

Ash Hallow Winery – Walla Walla, Washington

Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend – This had a very nice flavor and was complex but not over powering. I'm not a huge fan of Merlots or blends with a lot of Merlot in them.  However, I really did enjoy this one. What a nice surprise!

Stottle Winery – Lacey, Washington

Sangiovese – This had an amazing nose and flavor.  It was light and refreshing and I will definitely enjoy this wine again.

I felt a little over whelmed with all the choices when I first arrived at the festival.  However, after a couple of tastings and reviewing the materials they provided I was able to formulate a plan of action.  Next year I will do a couple more tasting classes and get to the wineries I was unable to visit this year.  I hope to see you all there and share a glass with you…..cheers!  LD

 The Gig Harbor Food and Wine Festival which is held in July had plenty of wineries, food, seminars and demonstrations; the sun was heating up the day so they were pouring primarily Rosé and white wines. The Rosé gets a bad rap from its past, comparing it to the sickening sweet “Blush” wines of long ago.  The Rose’ coming out now, you don’t need to be ashamed to admit you like.

The Rosé wine producers continue to improve the quality and array of flavors and outstanding versions are coming out now; some of the best are dry, crisp and refreshing.  The Rosé color comes from the short amount of time that the skins of the grape stay in contact with the juices…only a few hours.  Since they are fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve the freshness, you will find the Rosé has little tannins.

While the sun is shining, Rosé has proved to be a refreshing option to pour.  Such as the Rosé of Cabernet Franc from Columbia Valley by Masquerade Wine Company in Bellingham; this has a soft, dry fruit flavor.  Cougar Crest Winery from Walla Walla has a Grenache Rosé, which is crisp and refreshing with just a touch of delicate sweetness. 

I have a favorite Rosé that I was only able to find at my local restaurant.  However, with the new Washington State liquor laws, I can now purchase it at my local super market. It is the Gris de Nabor 2009, a French Rosé by Chateau St Nabor which is made using Tempranillo, Grenache and Cinsault.  This Rosé is dry and smooth and I have enjoyed this served with southern fried chicken as well as a summer seafood salad.

When summer ends don’t give up your favorite Rosé, it can be used like sparkling wine.  Try pairing them with fish or any kind of salty meat. A wide variety can be found from most wine growers and regions so go out and pick up a Rosé and get reacquainted.  Cheers...D

My husband and I took part in the Bainbridge Uncorked Weekend in June….who knew there were these great wineries on Bainbridge island.  Wow, what a surprise in our own backyard!

Our first stop was at Eleven winery; nestled in the trees was their tasting room and winery.  Eleven is named for the smallest cog in the rear cluster on a racing bike.  The founder and wine maker was a bicycle racer, which you will notice when you walk into the tasting room and see that bicycles are decorating the walls. 

This was my first time to try a Roussanne, which is commonly grown in the south of France.  What a treat, I was so happy with our first stop on the wine tour with just my first sip.  Another one on their list I sampled was the 2009 La Ronde, a blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot and Malbec, a winner of a Double Gold medal at the Seattle Wine Awards.  This is a very bold, yet smooth wine with a complex ripple across your tongue to wake up your taste buds.

Another great stop was at Rolling Bay winery, the greeting at the door was like being welcomed into someone’s kitchen.     The people I meet along the way are the part of wine tasting that I really enjoy most; the common ground, passion and individuality of each person I meet just adds to the experience. The Winemaker was even so generous as to give us a barrel tasting, which to me is like taking a peak at a baby sleeping…very special.

At Rolling Bay the first pour I had was of their 2011 Fusion which is a Pinot Gris and Chardonnay blend. This is a beautiful, fruit forward blend, with a smooth finish and “fusion” of flavors.   They had a Rose’ on their list, I had to give that a try,  Rose’s  that are coming out of wineries these day are a whole new experience than what I had in my early years of twist tops….. It proved to be wonderful.  My favorite was their 2009 Cuvee Aldaro which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot.  I really enjoyed the complex flavor that showed through the length.

We next went to Amelia Wynn winery which was also a very personable experience.  The wine maker Paul Bianchi was so gracious as to give me a barrel tasting of his Reisling and Malbec.  I purchased their 2009 Sangiovese, which also won a Double Gold Medal at the Seattle Wine Awards.  I purchased this because Sangiovese was my first love…of red wines that is.

 Go take a drive out to Bainbridge Island; if you can’t make it during one of the wine tour weekends, there is a wine tasting room in town where you can sample the Island out on your own.   Cheers...Denise

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Wine Tasting - The Columbia Gorge

Recently I had the opportunity to explore another wine region nestled between Washington and Oregon, the Columbia Gorge. 

My adventure began driving along I-84 west (Oregon side) of the Cascades.  As I headed east, the lush green hills of the gorge sprang up before me and soon I was engulfed in vast greens and blues of the dense douglas-fir forest.  This part of the gorge has always reminded me of the lochs and fiords of Scotland. 

Hood River, Oregon has many wineries and tasting rooms that I’ve yet to sample but there are plenty of signs that will entice you to stop and explore.  But my journey continued on and as I sped east, the scenery changed from lush greens to browns and golds of the high desert prairie.  The hills of the gorge changed to giant grassy pillows on the Washington side and sharp rocky cliffs on the Oregon side; all the while the mighty Columbia River was my constant companion.

At last I reached Biggs Junction, which is 30 miles east of The Dallas, Oregon (another place to stop and explore their tasting rooms).  I exited at Biggs; met up with my friends and turned left, over the bridge to Washington (highway 197).  We wound our way up from the river bottom to highway 14 and turned west.  Several miles down the road sits Maryhill Winery.

Maryhill Winery

Every year on Memorial weekend, the Maryhill Winery celebrates their anniversary.  This year they had an amazing list of wines for tasting.

Viognier 2011 – Smell: fruity/apricot – Taste: gentle on the pallet with a soft finished.  Loved it!!

Sangiovese 2008 – Smell: nice nose, not over powering – Taste: peppery but not too sharp. Enjoyed it.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Smell: nice nose – Color: deep and rich looking – Taste: sorry but I found it flat.

Malbec 2007 – Smell: soft but fruity – Taste: mild, not over powering, not too bold.  I liked it!!!

Cab Franc 2009 – Smell: mild but fruity – Taste: bite with a slight pepper finish.  Good

Red Zinfandel 2009 – Smell: not complex – Taste: delicious.

There were more wines to taste but my friends and I decided to purchase a bottle of Viognier 2011 and sit outside under the pergola and enjoy the sunny weather along with the gorgeous view.  We were definitely not disappointed in Maryhill and will return soon.

Cascade Cliff Winery

We continued west another 10 or so miles down highway 14 to Cascade Cliff Winery.  This winery sits lower down along the Columbia River but is surrounded by 14 different varietals.  They focus on the Piedmont varietals Barbera, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo, all grown and produced on site.  They also produce a unique white wine made with “Symphony” grapes, which is a cross between Grenache Gris and Muscat of Alexandria.  Everyone at Cascade Cliff was happy to stop and explain the wine, grapes and history so that our tasting experience would be enhanced.

Symphony – Smell: light and fruity – Taste: dry but not too dry.  I would buy this for summer BBQs or just to enjoy.

Blend of Nebbiolo/Barbera 2010 – Smell: Good nose/complex – Taste: Very bold, best with hearty food – sucking air though lips while in the mouth releases an un-real bold flavor.  Can’t wait to drink this with Prime Rib Roast.

Nebbiolo 100% 2010 – Smell: complex, good – Taste: young but love the flavor – Color: lighter.  Liked it better than the blend.

Barbera 2010 – Smell: upper pallet, back of the mouth it gives a nice tingle – Taste: nice finish. Eat it with dark chocolate and it brings out the fruit and leaves the tannins behind – Color: lovely – Bold wine.

Blood Red Zinfandel 2010 – Smell: nice/fruity – Taste: more like a port, slightly sweet, nice finish – Color: deep – heavy and dense – great for those who don’t drink cocktails. YES!!!

Waving Tree Winery

We headed back towards highway 197 and were about to cross the bridge back to Oregon when my Mom mentioned that there was a winery just down the road to our left.  We took the left and as the road ran parallel to the river and wound among fruit orchards we soon came to a metal pole barn of non-descript.  Above a simple door was the sign Waving Tree Winery.  Don’t let simplicity fool you.

Chardonnay 2009 – light, fun and easy to drink.  Enjoyed it.

Grenache 2007 – Sweet, fruity smell, light in color

Columbus Landing 2008  a blend of Grenache and Syrah – Smell: reminds me of Christmas – Taste: not extremely complex but enough to stay interested and want to continue drinking it.

Syrah 2007 – Smell: lovely – Taste: very nice, peppery but not over powering – Color: love it.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 – Smell: gives you the sense of port/sweet desert wine – Taste: sharp/peppery but nice finish without letting you down.

Petite Syrah 2008 – Smell: not my favorite – Taste: very smooth with a slight peppery taste, very nice finish with not a dry after taste.  It left me really liking it.

Our pallets were tired and it was time to call it a day.  We had only visited three wineries out of a possible 31 in the area but each of us expressed our desire to come back and explore more.  The wines were delicious and the scenery was beautiful.  Nothing could be better….Cheers! LD