In tough times, we continue the search for good, inexpensive wines.
Earlier this week the Washington Wine Commission released the findings of an economic impact study on the Washington wine industry. The numbers are impressive, a clear sign of the industry’s rapid growth and its subsequent effect on the regional and national economy.The overall economic impact of the Washington wine industry is $8.6B annually in state, $14.9B nationally. The industry creates 27,000 jobs in Washington, $1.2B in wages, and $238M in taxes. There are 2.4M tourist visits annually with $1.1B in associated spending. All of these numbers were up significantly from 2007, the last time such a study was undertaken.
Seattleites, tune in to 1150AM KKNW today 8-9am when I'll be on Table Talk Radio talking about rosé.
Now that spring is not only officially here but there is warm weather to prove it, it’s time to turn our attention to rosé.
Rosé comes in just about every shade and color. It is also made from just about every red grape being produced in Washington – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre. You name it.
Some are a blend of grapes and some are varietally labeled wines. Most are fermented and aged in stainless steel, but I have had a few that were fermented and aged in non-neutral barrels (!). They can be dry, off dry, or even semi-sweet and, as is usually the case, there is no way to tell unless the bottle is labeled as such unfortunately.
Now that spring is not only officially here but there is warm weather to prove it, it’s time to turn our attention to rosé.
Rosé comes in just about every shade and color. It is also made from just about every red grape being produced in Washington – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre. You name it.
Some are a blend of grapes and some are varietally labeled wines. Most are fermented and aged in stainless steel, but I have had a few that were fermented and aged in non-neutral barrels (!). They can be dry, off dry, or even semi-sweet and, as is usually the case, there is no way to tell unless the bottle is labeled as such unfortunately.
Seattleites, tune in to 1150AM KKNW this Wednesday 8-9am when I'll be on Table Talk Radio.
This month's Virtual Tasting is tonight! The wine will be the 2009 Charles Smith Wines Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon (Note that some readers have told me they have seen the 2010 on the shelves, so feel free to pick that up instead). This wine retails for $20 and is widely available. The tasting will take place 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 #charlessmith. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.
Join us!
This month's Virtual Tasting is tonight! The wine will be the 2009 Charles Smith Wines Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon (Note that some readers have told me they have seen the 2010 on the shelves, so feel free to pick that up instead). This wine retails for $20 and is widely available. The tasting will take place 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 #charlessmith. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.
Join us!
This month's Virtual Tasting will take place Tuesday at 7pm Pacific. Read about how to participate here.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from April 15thto 21st. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
No love this week.
From the blogosphere…
Table Talk profiles Brian Carter of Brian Carter Cellars.
Nectar Tasting Room and Wine Blog writes about four Nectar wineries joining the Spokane Wine Association.
Wine and Beer of Washington State reviews the Sexy Syrah event. They also write about Passport to Woodinville and a day at Vin du Lac.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from April 15thto 21st. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
No love this week.
From the blogosphere…
Table Talk profiles Brian Carter of Brian Carter Cellars.
Nectar Tasting Room and Wine Blog writes about four Nectar wineries joining the Spokane Wine Association.
Wine and Beer of Washington State reviews the Sexy Syrah event. They also write about Passport to Woodinville and a day at Vin du Lac.
Today, just a few pictures from the Walla Walla Valley. Several areas are reporting bud break and more expect to see it soon, with the timing closer to average compared to the last two years. No reports of any winter damage this year, and all fingers are crossed for a more 'normal' growing season. Click on the pictures for larger images.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from April 8th to 14th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
Las Vegas Review-Journal writes about Covey Run Riesling.
Fox Business says forget pairing wine and chocolate; drink chocolate wine.
From the blogosphere…
Jameson Fink writes about tasting 58 Washington Syrahs.
From around the country…
Las Vegas Review-Journal writes about Covey Run Riesling.
Fox Business says forget pairing wine and chocolate; drink chocolate wine.
From the blogosphere…
Jameson Fink writes about tasting 58 Washington Syrahs.
Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent releases – includes wines from Fielding Hills, Seven Hills, Sweet Valley, Vin du Lac, and Walla Walla Vintners.
Washington and Oregon share hundreds of miles of border. They are the second and fourth leading wine producing states in the nation and together have well over 1,000 wineries between them. Yet the two areas could not seem more different, almost as if there were an invisible divide between them.Let’s start with a simple lay of the land and physical appearance. It can be summed up quite simply. Oregon wine country is green; Washington wine country is not.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from April 1st to 7th 2012. Read previous round-ups here.
From around the country…
The Republic writes about ciders at Taste Washington.
D Magazine recommends wines from Spring Valley Vineyard.
From the blogosphere…
Writing for Foodista, Jameson Fink writes about five roses at Taste Washington.
From around the country…
The Republic writes about ciders at Taste Washington.
D Magazine recommends wines from Spring Valley Vineyard.
From the blogosphere…
Writing for Foodista, Jameson Fink writes about five roses at Taste Washington.
This month's Virtual Tasting will take place on Tuesday April 24th. The wine will be the 2009 Charles Smith Wines Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine retails for $20 and is widely available. The tasting will take place 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 #charlessmith. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.
Today, just a picture of bud break on a Nebbiolo vine at Windrow Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley courtesy of Jan Roskelley of Tero Estates. Click on the picture for a larger image.Let the 2012 growing season begin!
In the middle of the Yakima Valley appellation lies Snipes Mountain. Snipes is unique in terms of Washington AVAs in that the vast majority of it is encompassed by a single site – Upland Vineyard – with a small section of the appellation stretching across Interstate 82 to Harrison Hill.Less of a mountain and more a part of the Yakima fold belt, like a number of other eastern Washington growing regions, Upland has elevations ranging from 750 to 1,300 feet and slopes facing in all four cardinal directions.
Today’s Fresh Sheet – new and recent releases – includes wines from Betz Family Winery, EFESTĒ, Angel Vine, Auclair Winery, Wines of Substance, and Tamarack Cellars.
A round-up of stories on Washington wine from March 22nd to 31st. Read previous round-ups here.
Buckle your seatbelts. This week's round-up is a long one.
From around the country…
The Anchorage Daily News writes about Eye of the Needle’s Little Italy.
The Washington post writes about Taste Washington expanding to two days.
The Cape Gazette writes that women deserve all the credit as wine pioneers.
Wines & Vines writes that the sale of Cave B has been deferred. They also write about landowners envisioning Walla Walla Valley vineyards.
Buckle your seatbelts. This week's round-up is a long one.
From around the country…
The Anchorage Daily News writes about Eye of the Needle’s Little Italy.
The Washington post writes about Taste Washington expanding to two days.
The Cape Gazette writes that women deserve all the credit as wine pioneers.
Wines & Vines writes that the sale of Cave B has been deferred. They also write about landowners envisioning Walla Walla Valley vineyards.
Well folks, Taste Washington weekend 2012 is a wrap.I thought it was a particularly great event this year. I have to admit that I had some concerns about the move to a two-day format for the Grand Tasting. Would it be too taxing on the wineries and restaurants? Would there be enough consumer support?
The weekend proved these concerns unwarranted. Based on an informal survey of a number of participants, there seemed to be resounding support for the change. Many winery representatives I spoke with gave a consistent description – “less frenzied” – and noted that they were better able to talk with attendees about their wines. While some noted that they might be inclined to have additional help for the event next year, most seemed to enjoy the slightly shortened day and the opportunity to enjoy Seattle Saturday evening.
Below is a summary of posts for March 2012.
March is Washington Wine Month!
Washington Wine Roundup February 22nd to 29th 2012
Washington State Wine 2012 Tour Guide released
Wine Country Porn from Napa Valley
March is Washington Wine Month!
Washington Wine Roundup February 22nd to 29th 2012
Washington State Wine 2012 Tour Guide released
Wine Country Porn from Napa Valley
Popular Posts
-
This article appeared in Beverage Industry Enthusiast on Monday July 12, 2021. On Friday, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), the largest w... -
Today Matthews Winery in Woodinville announced a new winemaking team, headed by Alex Stewart. Stewart was previously winemaker at Quilced... -
Veraison – the changing of color of the grapes – has begun in Columbia Valley. Brittany Komm, vineyard manager at Precept Wine , noted vera... -
This is the third in a three-part series on newly approved appellations in Washington. Read part one on White Bluffs and part two on G...
Editor
Sean P. Sullivan is the editor of Washington Wine Report and a contributing editor at Wine Enthusiast magazine, covering Washington and Idaho. He has been writing about and reviewing Washington wine since 2005.
2021-2022 Tour Guide
Blog Archive
-
▼
2012
(219)
-
▼
April
(17)
- Five Wines Under $15 - April 2012
- The Washington Wine Industry Widens Its Footprint
- Washington Gets Serious About Rosé
- Tonight! April Virtual Tasting - 2009 Charles Smit...
- Washington Wine Round-up April 15th to 21st 2012
- Images from Walla Walla Wine Country
- Washington Wine Round-up April 8th to 14th 2012
- Fresh Sheet April 13th 2012
- Washington, Oregon, and the Invisible Divide
- Washington Wine Round-up April 1st to 7th 2012
- April Virtual Tasting - 2009 Charles Smith Wines C...
- Bud Break on Nebbiolo at Windrow Vineyard
- A mountain, an appellation, a vineyard
- Fresh Sheet April 4th 2012
- Washington Wine Round-up March 22nd to 31st 2012
- The Day After…
- Summary of Posts for March 2012
-
▼
April
(17)
Pages
Labels Cloud
14 Hands
2010 Initiatives
2020 Washington Merlot Challenge
2021 Washington Syrah Challenge
Abbey Page
Abeja
Adams Bench
Airfield Estates
Alder Ridge
Alexandria Nicole
Alternative Closures
aMaurice Cellars
Amavi
Ambassador
Ancestry
Ancient Lakes
Andrew Januik
Andrew Will
Anelare
Angel Vine
AntoLin
Apex Cellars
Ardor
Arlington Road Cellars
Array
Ash Hollow
Ashan
Auclair
Avennia
Baer Winery
Balboa
Barnard Griffin
Barons V
Barrage
Barrister
Beresan
Bergevin Lane
Betz Family Winery
Board Track Racer
Bonair Winery
Bookwalter
Boomtown
Boudreaux Cellars
Brian Carter
Bridgman
Bunchgrass Winery
Bunnell Family
Buried Cane
Buty
Cadaretta
Cadence
Cairdeas
Cana's Feast
Candy Mountain
Canoe Ridge
Canon del Sol
Cartel Wine Group
Cascade Valley Wineries
Castillo de Feliciana
Castle Rock Winery
Cave B
CAVU
Cayuse Vineyards
Cedergreen Cellars
Charles and Charles
Charles Smith Wines
Chateau Rollat
Chateau Ste. Michelle
Chelan Estate
Chelan Ridge
Chinook
City Limits
Cloudlift Cellars
Clubhouse Cellars
Co Dinn
Col Solare
College Cellars
Columbia Crest
Columbia Gorge
Columbia Winery
Concentric Wine Project
Cooper Wine Company
Corked Counter
Corked Wines
Corliss Estates
Corvidae
Corvus Cellars
Cote Bonneville
Cougar Crest
Covey Run
Covington Cellars
Crayelle Cellars
Cuneo Cellars
CZ Cellars
Darby
Daven Lore
DeLille
Delmas
Desert Wind
Distant Bay
DiStefano
Domaine Pouillon
Domaine Ste Michelle
Donedei
Double Canyon
Doubleback
Dowsett Family Winery
DuBrul Vineyard
Duck Pond Cellars
Duckhorn
Dumas Station
Dunham
Dusted Valley
Dynasty Cellars
Efeste
Eight Bells
El Corazon
Eliseo Silva
Elsom Cellars
Ensemble Cellars
Envious Cellars
Erath
Eritage
Estrin Estates
Eyrie
Fall Line
Falling Rain
Fidelitas Winery
Fielding Hills WInery
Figgins
Five Star Cellars
Fjellene
Flying Dreams
Flying Trout
For a Song
Force Majeure
Forgeron
Full Pull Wines
Furion Cellars
Gard Vintners
Giant Wine Co
Gifford-Hirlinger
Gilbert
Glencorrie
Goedhart
Golden Ridge
Goose Ridge
Gordon Brothers
Gorman
Gramercy Cellars
Grand Rêve
Grosgrain
Guardian
Hard Row
Harvest 2010
Harvest 2011
Harvest 2012
Harvest 2013
Harvest 2014
Harvest 2015
Harvest 2016
Harvest 2017
Harvest 2018
Harvest 2019
Harvest 2020
Hawks View
Haystack Needle
Heaven's Cave
Hedges Family Estate
Helix
Hestia Cellars
Hogue Cellars
Hoodsport
Hors Catégorie
Horse Heaven Hills
Horsepower Vineyards
Hyatt Vineyards
Idilico
Intrinsic
Isenhower Cellars
Jaine
Januik Winery
JB Neufeld
JM Cellars
Jones of Washington
Juliette's Dazzle
K Vintners
Kaella Winery
Kerloo
Kevin White
Kiona
Kontos Cellars
Kyra Wines
L'Ecole
Lake Chelan AVA
Lantz Cellars
Latitude 46 North
Laurelhurst Cellars
Lauren Ashton
Lawrelin
Leonetti Cellar
Liberty Bay Cellars
Liminal
Lobo Hills
Locati Cellars
Lodmell Cellars
Lone Birch
Lone Canary
Long Shadows
Lost River Winery
Magnificent Wine Company
Maison Bleue
Manu Propia
Mark Ryan Winery
Maryhill
McCrea Cellars
McKinley Springs
Mercer Estates
Merf
Michael Florentino
Milbrandt Vineyards
Modern Wine Project
Monesia's Song
Morrison Lane
Mosquito Fleet
Mountain Dome
Naches Heights
Naches Heights AVA
Napeequa Vintners
Native Sun
Nefarious
Nelms Road
Nicholas Cole Cellars
No Girls
Nodland
Northstar
Northwest Wine Round-up
Nota Bene
Novelty Hill
NW Totem Cellars
NW VIne Project
NxNW
Obelisco Estate
Olsen Estates
OS Winery
Otis Kenyon
Ott and Murphy
Owen Roe
Pacific Rim
Palencia
Palouse
Pamplin
Pandora
Parejas
Passion
Patterson
Paul Gregutt
Pendulum
Pepper Bridge
Phylloxera
Pic of the Vine
Plumb Cellars
Pomum Cellars
Pondera
Portteus
Pour Me
Powers
Proletariat Wine Company
Proper
Prospice
Puget Sound
Purple Star
Quilceda Creek
Ramseyer Vineyards
Randall Harris
Rasa Vineyards
Red Diamond
Red Mountain
Red Willow
Reininger
Renegade
Result of a Crush
Rex Hill
Reynvaan Family Vineyards
RiverAerie
Riverhaven Cellars
RMV Cellars
Robert Ramsay
Robison Ranch Cellars
Ross Andrew
Rotie
Royal Slope
Rulo Winery
Russell Creek WInery
Rusty Grape Vineyard
Ryan Messer
Ryan Patrick
Sageland Vineyards
Saint Laurent
Salida Wines
Salmon Harbor
San Juan Vineyards
Sandhill
Sapolil Cellars
Savage Grace
Saviah Cellars
Scarborough
Screwcaps
Seattle Area Wineries
Seufert
Seven Hills Winery
Shady Grove Winery
Sheridan
Silvara
Silver Bell
Silver Lake Winery
Sineann
Six Prong
Skylite Cellars
Sleight of Hand
Smasne Cellars
Snipes Gap Vineyards
Snipes Mountain
Snoqualmie
Sockeye
Sodovino
Sol Stone
somme de parties
sonoris
Soos Creek
Sparkman Cellars
Spindrift
Spokane Area
Spring Valley
Steele Wines
Stella Fino
Stevens Winery
Stomani Cellars
Stonecap
Stottle
SuLei Cellars
Sweet Valley Winery
Swiftwater
Syncline Cellars
Syrah
SYZYGY
Tagaris
Tamarack Cellars
Tefft
Tempus
Tenor Wines
Tero Estates
Terra Blanca Winery
The Burn of Columbia Valley
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
Three Rivers Winery
Thurston Wolfe
Tildio
Time & Direction
Townshend Cellar
Tranche
Treveri
Trust
Tulpen Cellars
Two Mountain
Two Vintners
Upland Estates
Va Piano Vineyards
Valdemar Estates
Viento Wines
Vin du Lac
Vinyl Wines
Virtual tasting
Virtue Cellars
W.T. Vintners
Wahluke Slope
Walla Walla Valley
Walla Walla Vintners
Walter Dacon
Washington Hills
Waterbrook
Waters
Waving Tree
White Bluffs
Whitestone
Whitman Cellars
William Church
Willow Crest
Wilridge Winery
Wind Rose Cellars
Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Scores
WineGirl Wines
Wines of Substance
Woodhouse Wine Estates
Woodinville Wine Cellars
Woodinville WIneries
Woodward Canyon Winery
Yakima Valley
Yellow Hawk Cellar
Zerba Cellars
Zero One Vintners