Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report

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Well folks, summer is finally upon us (right?). Yes, I know for wetsiders in Washington the season doesn’t officially begin until July 5^th, but our eastern Washington counterparts have been baking in the summer sun for some time. The equinox has already passed, and besides, July 4^th is almost upon us! So it’s time to break out the barbeque and serve up some pink wine. Let’s get to it.

While wine consumption has been on the rise for the last twenty years and, indeed, the U.S. is now the world’s largest consumer of wine, the past several years have seen a few interesting trends in the wine world. Wine is suddenly not just something to put in your wine glass. It’s being used increasingly for wine cocktails and is even being used in beer.

Wait, beer? Yup. A fascinating example comes from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Located in Delaware, the company makes a wide variety of year-round, seasonal, and occasional brews as well as spirits. None however quite like its Noble Rot.

Seattleites, tune in to KKNW 1150AM at 8am Pacific today when I'll be talking Washington wine along with Kerry Shiels of Cote Bonneville on Table Talk.

Today’s Fresh Sheet - new and recent wine releases - includes wines from Syncline Wine Cellars, McKinley Springs, Wind Rose Cellars, Abacela, Pamplin Family Winery, Erath, and Owen Roe.

Seattleites, tune in to KKNW 1150AM at 8am Pacific Wednesday when I'll be talking Washington wine along with Kerry Shiels of Cote Bonneville on Table Talk.

This month's Virtual Tasting is tonight! The wine is the Syncline Wine 2010 Subduction Red. This wine retails for $20 and is fairly 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 tonight between 7 and 8pm Pacific using the hashtag #syncline. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

Join us!

Reminder: This month's Virtual Tasting is coming up this Tuesday from 7-8pm Pacific. Read about how to participate here.

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from June 15^th to 22^nd 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

Shanken Daily News writes about Precept Wine approaching the million case mark.

Penn News writes that Washington’s private liquor sales has given people sticker shock.

From the blogosphere…

Paul Gregutt writes about Southard Winery. He also writes about Gramercy Cellars and Abeja’s Chardonnays.

It is simply not possible to talk with Paul McBride and Ryan Johnson of Force Majeure, taste the winery’s offerings, and not come away exhilarated about Washington wine and its future.

Formerly known as Grand Rêve, Force Majeure pairs a group of the state’s best winemakers with fruit from Ciel du Cheval for what it calls its Collaboration Series wines. Additionally, an estate vineyard for a separate group of wines is currently coming on-line.

I’ll be the first to admit it. When Treveri Cellars opened its doors in 2010, I was skeptical. A sparkling wine producer in Yakima using seemingly every grape under the sun, from Mueller Thurgau to Pinot Gris? But then I tried the wines. Then – hesitantly – I inquired about the prices. I was quickly sold on both.

Treveri Cellars was founded by Juergen and Julie Grieb. Juergen Grieb learned the tools of the wine trade by receiving a four-year degree from the Trier School of Enology in Germany. He subsequently went on to make sparkling wine at Duhr Sektkellerei in Trier before moving on to make still wine at Karthäuserhof in the Mosel.

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

From around the country…

The Wall Street Journal writes about rose with a callout to Charles and Charles.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat writes about what led to Ascentia’s downfall.

The Mercury News writes about the Charles and Charles Rose.

Vineyards are in bloom all across eastern Washington. Today brings two pictures of this. The first comes from Nostra Terra Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley courtesy of the folks at Dumas Station. The second comes from Canoe Ridge (Chardonnay) courtesy of Dave Minick. Click on the pictures for larger images.

Jay Dewitt of Dumas Station explains the first picture as follows:

This month's Virtual Tasting wine is the Syncline Wine 2010 Subduction Red. This wine retails for $20 and is fairly widely available. The tasting will take place will take place on Tuesday June 26th 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 June 27th using the hashtag #syncline. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

Join us!

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

The big news this week the beginning of private liquor sales in the state and the purchase of Columbia and Covey Run by Gallo. Read numerous stories on each below.

From around the world…

Decanter writes about Washington ending its state liquor monopoly. They also write about Gallo’s purchase of Columbia and Covey Run (article by yours truly).

From around the country…

Wine Business.com gives an analysis of the Gallo purchase of Columbia and Covey Run (good read).

In tough times, we continue the search for good, inexpensive wines.

Well folks, warmer days lie ahead here in the Pacific Northwest (right?), so it’s time we take a look at some $15 and under summer whites to help ring in the season.

The summer issue of Washington Tasting Room Magazine has an article I wrote on Lake Chelan's Nefarious Cellars and is on newstands now. See a list of locations to find a copy here.

From the new school, you can read an article I wrote earlier this week for Decanter about the purchase of Columbia Winery and Covey Run by E. & J. Gallo on-line here.

Enjoy!

A round-up of stories on Washington wine from May 22^nd to 31^st 2012. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

The National Journal writes about how wine growing in Walla Walla supports the economy.

The New York Times writes about a run on the state liquor stores.

Wine Spectator writes about Precept’s purchase of Ste. Chapelle.

As Washington wine has grown into big business, many have asked when the California big boys would come knocking. The answer is now.

On Monday Modesto-based E. & J. Gallo announced the purchase of two long-tenured Washington wineries – Columbia Winery and Covey Run. The sale of the wineries by Ascentia Wine Estates has been anticipated for some time.

With the state Supreme Court ruling yesterday paving the way, today - June 1st 2012 - private liquor sales begin in Washington, a change set in motion by last November's Initiative 1183. This ends Prohibition era laws that created a state-run monopoly on spirits sales for the last 78 years. It is truly a brave new world. Stay tuned.

Below is a summary of posts for May 2012.

Summary of Posts for April 2012

Washington wineries still springing up like wildflowers: Enter Avennia

Old school! Recent print articles

Washington Wine Round-up April 22nd to 30th 2012

Newer Posts Older Posts Home

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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.

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Editor - Sean P. Sullivan

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Washington Wine Report is an independent publication focused on bringing Washington wine to you and bringing you to Washington wine. My goal is: to help you select Pacific Northwest wines at a variety of price levels; to keep you up-to-date about the Northwest’s wineries, vineyards, and individuals; to help you plan trips to wine country; and to connect you to the larger wine community.

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