Well folks, 2012 is down to its last few hours. Below is a look back at some of the things that happened this past year in Washington wine. For more on the year that was and the year to come, pick up the Winter Edition of Washington Tasting Room Magazine where I write about trends in 2012 and predictions for 2013.

***

Washington saw major changes as an industry in 2012 with the state auctioning off its liquor stores, liquor sales becoming privatized, and big box liquor stores – such as BevMo! and Total Wine coming to town. More stores are expected. Everyone got in on the game with spirits now sold in stores from QFC to Target and everything in between. In some cases, the effects were unanticipated.

Today’s Fresh Sheet – reviews of new and recent releases – includes wines from Cadence, Syncline Wine Cellars, Forgeron Cellars, Sparkman Cellars, Va Piano Vineyards, Dusted Valley Vintners, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Leonetti Cellar, and Brandborg Vineyard & Winery.

Today as we begin to wind down the year, a look back at some of my personal favorite posts from each month this year.

January’s was How to Return a Corked Bottle of Wine (and Why You Should).

February’s was How Automated Cross-posting from Facebook to Twitter Can Defeat the Purpose of Social Media (see a follow-up post here).

March’s was a series of ‘wine country porn’ pictures from Napa Valley, Oregon, and eastern Washington.

April’s was Washington, Oregon, and the Invisible Divide.

May’s was a post on Quilceda Creek, Washington’s First Family.

Today, as we begin to wrap up the year, it's time to look back at goals for 2012 as laid out here. Succinctly stated, these goals were:

1. A rating system revision
2. Coverage of Oregon wines
3. Addition of other writers to this space
4. A revised site design
5. Improved access to the Tasting Note Database
6. Faster turnaround on wine reviews
7. Subscription charges for wine reviews

Let's look at how we did.

Folks, you can see my segment on Seattle's Q13 FOX News on sparkling wines, including some recommendations, here.

Read about sparkling recommendations here. Enjoy!

Seattleites, tune in to the Q13 News today at 4pm when I’ll be talking about sparkling wines.

Well folks, in the blink of an eye we’re once again coming close to the end of another year, so it’s time to turn our attention to sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve.

Now many tend to think of these as special occasion and celebration wines – and perhaps I am only reinforcing that by writing about them before New Years! However, if you don’t already, make your New Year’s resolution to drink sparkling wines early and often in 2013. These are everyday wines. You wouldn’t just drink Cabernet Sauvignon on a certain date or on special occasions would you? Why should sparkling wines be any different?

It seems that these days that you can find a coach for just about anything. Career coach? Check. Fitness coach? Check. But life coach? Let’s hear what winemaker Rich Estrin of Estrin Estates has to say.

Estrin’s path to becoming a winemaker was inspired by two simple, provocative questions from a friend. “We were in the heart of our Hogue Genesis/Columbia Crest Grand Estates phase,” Estrin recalls. “That level of wine experience where you’re starting to move beyond your five dollar bottle and looking for a ten dollar bottle. We had some friends who were on that journey with us, and we’d get together and drink wine.”

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from December 15th to 21st 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

The Grower writes about a Washington model that helps predict cold injury to grapes.


From the blogosphere…

The Wine Economist says of Red Mountain, think global, drink local.

Great Northwest Wine writes that Washington wine grape growers continue to grow. They also give a book review for Dishing Up Washington, write about the 2009 Andrew Will Sorella, Champoux Vineyard Red Wine, expansion of the Washington Wine Awards, and Washington’s rank in world Riesling production.

NB: The title of this post is assuming that the world still exists on this date. If not, please disregard. 

In this month's Five Wines Under $15 we take a look at the H3 red wines from Columbia Crest. Since their introduction, the production of these wines has grown dramatically, in no case more so than the winery’s Les Chevaux Red Wine.

Seattleites, tune in to the Q13 News at 4pm today when I'll be talking about holiday wine gifts. 

The December Virtual Tasting wine is the Treveri Cellars Brut Blanc de Blanc NV. This wine retails for $14 and is reasonably widely available. The tasting will take place tonight from 7-8pm Pacific.

What you need to do to participate is:

1. Buy this month’s wine from a local retailer or from the winery.

2. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm Pacific using the hashtag #treveri. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

Below is Part V of a report from the Walla Walla Valley including wines from Dunham Cellars, Woodward Canyon, Dumas Station, Tranche Cellars, and Balboa Winery. Read Part I here, Part II here, Part III here, and Part IV here. Photograph at left by Richard Duval.

Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent releases – includes wines from Walla Walla Vintners, The Grande Dalles, L’Ecole No 41, Tulpen Cellars, Sinclair Estate Vineyards, and Corvus Cellars.

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from December 8^th to 14^th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

No love this week.


From the blogosphere…

Great Northwest Wine writes about Ryan Patrick hiring a new brand manager (welcome). They also write about a Washington wine Christmas tree, 2013 Washington wine road shows, the Andrew Will 2009 Ciel du Cheval Red Wine and 2009 Two Blondes Red Wine.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about Top 100 Listomania.

Below is a recipe my girlfriend adapted for making glögg - mulled wine - using wines from Washington. Enjoy!

Pic of the Vine is a monthly image taken by contributor Richard Duval. See other Pic of the Vine images here.

December’s Pic of the Vine is a clever and fitting creation of Christmas lights at Bellevue’s Botanical Garden that caught the eye of our resident wine photographer Richard Duval. “Not often you can find grapes on the vine at Christmas,” he said. “I thought this electric display would make the perfect holiday greeting to Washington Wine Report readers.” Perfect indeed! Click on the picture to enlarge the image or go to www.vinelines.com to download a full-sized version. Happy holidays!

Change is in the air at Woodinville’s EFESTĒ with former winemaker Brennon Leighton heading to Charles Smith Wines earlier this year (more on this in a future post) and Peter Devison, who was previously making wine at Precept Wine, taking over winemaking responsibilities starting with the 2012 vintage.

If you aren’t familiar with Devison yet, you will be. Devison grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia before moving to Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia. It was in Vancouver that he first became interested in wine while working in restaurants. Wanting to be more knowledgeable about what he was serving, Devison started out – like many wine novices - reading Jancis Robinson’s Wine Course. Soon, he was devouring all of the books he could find. Devison went on to take WSET and ISG courses and work at a local retail shop.

The current issue of Washington Tasting Room Magazine has an article I wrote titled, "The Year in Wine 2012-2013." See a list of locations to find a copy here.

Enjoy!

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from December 1st to 7th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

Shanken Daily News writes about the increase in wine grapevine acreage in Washington.

The San Francisco Chronicle gives its top Rhone-style reds and Cabernets and Merlots. See links to other wines on their top list here.

Wine Spectator writes about rough spots for 2009 Washington wines.


From the blogosphere…

Rick Bakas writes about whether Walla Walla wines are overpriced.

Below is Part IV of a report from the Walla Walla Valley including wines from àMaurice Cellars, Seven Hills Winery, Tamarack Cellars, Pepper Bridge, and Amavi Cellars. Read Part I here, Part II here, and Part III here. Photographs by Richard Duval. Click on the pictures for larger images. At left, an aerial view of the Walla Walla Valley.

The December Virtual Tasting wine is the Treveri Cellars Brut Blanc de Blanc NV. This wine retails for $14 and is reasonably widely available. The tasting will take place on Thursday December 20th from 7-8pm Pacific.

What you need to do to participate is:

1. Buy this month’s wine from a local retailer or from the winery.

2. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm Pacific on the specified date using the hashtag #treveri. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from November 22nd to 30th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

Alister & Paine makes the 2008 Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Grenache its wine of the week.

Wake Living writes about Walla Walla wine.


From the blogosphere…

Through the Walla Walla Grapevine writes about Washington Cabernet.

Paul Gregutt bids blogging adieux.

Below is a summary of posts for November 2012.

SUMMARY OF POSTS OCTOBER 2012

THE PASSING OF GENERATIONS AT MANU PROPRIA

WASHINGTON WINE ROUND-UP OCTOBER 22ND TO 31ST 2012

FRESH SHEET NOVEMBER 5TH 2012