tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136702492024-03-13T07:58:09.058-07:00Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman™Writing About Wines of the World and the Walla Walla Valley. The original Walla Walla Wine Blogger since 2005. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger817125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-76911813809726136992018-11-01T08:04:00.000-07:002024-02-18T10:38:55.778-08:00Follow Me: She's Not Done! <p><b style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>For more musings from Wine Country, visit my new blog,<span style="color: #990000;"> <a href="http://womaninwinecountry.com" target="_blank">Older Woman in Wine Country</a>. </span></i></b><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>It's a lifestyle blog where I give wine recommendations to pair with food, fluffing pillows, pruning rose bushes, reading, collecting vintage, and even a few recipes. </b></i></p><p><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>If podcasts are more your thing, you'll find me on your favorite podcast app with more of <a href="https://www.womaninwinecountry.com/p/podcast.html" target="_blank">Woman in Wine Country</a>. </b></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-52281848913454616962018-10-23T07:00:00.037-07:002023-04-18T07:55:54.566-07:00WBC 2018: The Last Hurrah<div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was a walk back in time. It was a walk I thought I would never do again. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: georgia;">Walla Walla</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;"> received another visit from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;">350 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: georgia;">wine</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;"> bloggers, writers, and marketers to attend the Wine Bloggers Conference the weekend, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;">October 4-7</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;"> And like the last visit in 2010, the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;">Marcus Whitman Hotel</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: georgia;"> was the blogging home for the busy weekend. </span></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEZntOH1v5s/XyWekVSgrKI/AAAAAAAAGy8/9KcanH5piYkV_Ly7ovgwAw139WyQBagIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/43264749_10155546742056121_1693497083597684736_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEZntOH1v5s/XyWekVSgrKI/AAAAAAAAGy8/9KcanH5piYkV_Ly7ovgwAw139WyQBagIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/43264749_10155546742056121_1693497083597684736_n.jpg" /></a></div><font face="georgia"><br /><br /><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="background-color: white;">For me it wasn't so much about the content and workshops of the conference, it was more about seeing familiar faces such as <a href="https://balzac.com/">Michael Wangbickler</a> of Balzac Communications, David and <a href="writeforwine.com ">Margot Sinclair Savell</a> of Write for Wine, Chris Nishiwaki (Seattle-based wine journalist), <a href="https://winecampblog.com/">Craig Camp </a>of Wine Camp, and even some of the Walla Walla locals I don't see as often as I use to. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #545454;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="background-color: white;">I also met some new faces Carrie and Jen from <a href="https://www.woodinvillewineblog.com/">Woodinville Wine Blog</a>, Dave Adams and Sandra Everingham from <a href="https://decantedpodcast.com/about/">Decanted: The Wannabe Wine Snobs Podcast</a></span></span></font>, <font face="georgia">and <span style="color: #545454;"><span style="background-color: white;">Earle Dutton from <a href="https://spitbucket.net/">Spitbucket</a></span></span></font><font face="georgia"><span style="color: #545454;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://decantedpodcast.com/about/"><br /></a></span></span></font><font face="georgia"><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">What to choose - what to choose? As always there were many good wine discovery workshops to check into. I love Spanish whites so the wine tastings and education of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><b>Rias Baixas </b>were an excellent choice. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDeQSot_D24/XyWYkYtH7rI/AAAAAAAAGxk/pGGKN_RAVzQIfnHP6ozTP8JVVwg8M3hJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s722/43171563_10155547284146121_1409775194746126336_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="722" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDeQSot_D24/XyWYkYtH7rI/AAAAAAAAGxk/pGGKN_RAVzQIfnHP6ozTP8JVVwg8M3hJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/43171563_10155547284146121_1409775194746126336_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div>Did someone mention bubbles? The Gloria Ferrer Bubbles and Bites tasting from California both provided in-depth information on the wines, region, history, and food pairings. The speaker called this an <span style="color: #1c1e21;">"exercise." My kind of exercise!</span></div></span></font><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ddMzeo4so0/XyWZGlS5YQI/AAAAAAAAGxs/_WOFEg0sNYMWSi11tKWI5_nnQkRNRYiuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s722/43255859_10155549604366121_7544045583669919744_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="722" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ddMzeo4so0/XyWZGlS5YQI/AAAAAAAAGxs/_WOFEg0sNYMWSi11tKWI5_nnQkRNRYiuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/43255859_10155549604366121_7544045583669919744_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">They forced me to eat cheese and drink wine. The Wine and Cheese Pairing with the </span><a href="https://cheesesofeurope.com/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #850009; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Cheeses of Europe</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> led by the </span><a href="http://www.cheesetwins.com/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #850009; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;" target="_blank">Cheese Twins</a> was great fun, tasty, and oh-so <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">informative. </span></font><div><font color="#444444" face="georgia"><br /></font><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKMeUEq4fkc/XyWZsK3V9-I/AAAAAAAAGx4/sQlPENq_JkoFgnseuS0k06GZ5O-zG7LtACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/43408550_10155549941191121_8263983141585158144_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKMeUEq4fkc/XyWZsK3V9-I/AAAAAAAAGx4/sQlPENq_JkoFgnseuS0k06GZ5O-zG7LtACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/43408550_10155549941191121_8263983141585158144_o.jpg" /></a></div></span></font><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia;">One of my favorite things at the WBC's has always been the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"> live wine blogging also known as "speed tasting." It's kind of like speed dating, but better because you're drinking good wine. There are typically two-speed tastings during the conference weekend with one of the two occurring at the end of each day just before dinner. One day is focused on all white wines and the next day is all reds. It's kind of a happy hour just before dinner. A winery rep pours one of their wines to a table of eight to 10 bloggers. They pour the wine, explain the wine they're pouring, answer questions, pose for photos and this all happens in five minutes... the buzzer rings "time is up" and the winery rep rotates to the next table and does it all over again. Each table of wine bloggers has an average of 12 visits from the wineries represented. A live Twitter feed is shown on a large screen, which is fun to check out and see what your neighbor across the room has posted. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alS1PaSwsJE/XyWaJYq3OXI/AAAAAAAAGyE/lyGHAsxbvQY1TbMBOHAoI23E0QG1h9YsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s722/43169830_10155547515966121_7759171360131121152_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="722" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alS1PaSwsJE/XyWaJYq3OXI/AAAAAAAAGyE/lyGHAsxbvQY1TbMBOHAoI23E0QG1h9YsQCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h408/43169830_10155547515966121_7759171360131121152_n.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uowt-QArpLo/XyWaJojiR-I/AAAAAAAAGyI/3QMj2bGdcnIw7FCWc8-7TuyR8EvdVeGowCLcBGAsYHQ/s722/43218177_10155547470676121_3325921239779770368_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="722" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uowt-QArpLo/XyWaJojiR-I/AAAAAAAAGyI/3QMj2bGdcnIw7FCWc8-7TuyR8EvdVeGowCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h408/43218177_10155547470676121_3325921239779770368_n.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TJkDw-wvyE/XyWaIy_SMKI/AAAAAAAAGyA/OBgiW2wuBgA7YzwPuikIARWAXf3zhuSGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s206/43243400_10155550076691121_463535784234844160_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="206" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TJkDw-wvyE/XyWaIy_SMKI/AAAAAAAAGyA/OBgiW2wuBgA7YzwPuikIARWAXf3zhuSGwCLcBGAsYHQ/w404-h404/43243400_10155550076691121_463535784234844160_n.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9gJHyunvD0/XyWaJ3SXlzI/AAAAAAAAGyM/UZvcVZFl0bcz7-VB2aafOgCUta22B-8wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s722/43302200_10155550043006121_1837949761613725696_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="722" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9gJHyunvD0/XyWaJ3SXlzI/AAAAAAAAGyM/UZvcVZFl0bcz7-VB2aafOgCUta22B-8wwCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h408/43302200_10155550043006121_1837949761613725696_n.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_g7cQxnNutU/XyWaKUmJ1OI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/3mr6d9lEvFclSofybdOAM_6ZT2C7cV4vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/43318869_10155550060751121_5011982979073835008_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_g7cQxnNutU/XyWaKUmJ1OI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/3mr6d9lEvFclSofybdOAM_6ZT2C7cV4vgCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h410/43318869_10155550060751121_5011982979073835008_n.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span><font face="georgia" style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">By the time Sunday rolled <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">around I was supposed to attend a wine tasting tour and lunch rolling around the Walla Walla Valley. This ol' grey mare ain't' what she use to be. Her palate was spent, her body ached and it was raining outside. So I slowly sipped my morni</span></font><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">ng coffee and stayed home. <br /><br />This weekend was my last hurrah and even though I chose to miss out on the day's event, it was okay. I had done all of these things before - - and on my own time, I will do it again. <br /><br />I have been wine blogging since 2005. I have tasted some of the best wines in the world. Met fascinating and interesting content creators, and even some famous people in the world of wine. My years of wine blogging was a success and I had a good run... </span></div></font></div></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">THE END. <br /></span></font><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></font></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-36760810862637668772018-08-01T07:27:00.000-07:002018-09-26T17:20:38.690-07:00Pacific Crest Wine Company<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a;">Founded in 2008</span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a;">, <a href="https://winetreesusa.com/">Wine Trees, LLC</a> is a collection of thirty-some wine brands highlighting some of the world’s most exciting regions. And the Pacific Crest Trail wines is one of those collections. </span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><br /><b>The Pacific Crest Trail</b> is named after its namesake that spans over 2,600 miles, trekking up the United States west coast, and crosses some of the area's best wine growing regions. In Washington State, east of this trail is the rugged and fertile lands of Washington wine country producing wine grapes in elevations of up to 3,000 feet. It's Pacific Crest Wine Co. quest to capture the essence with single vineyards that defines the Pacific Northwest - and with affordable prices.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"Centennial Trail" Chardonnay - 2015</b>: <span style="font-weight: normal;">From the Columbia Valley </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">there is a range of Chardonnay vineyards with profiles ranging from bright tropical fruits to fruits from the orchard. This is a wine that resembles notes from the orchards such as those located in the middle of the state. There are luscious notes of apple,</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, and buttery, but light brioche with a long finish. Easy to drink, especially in the summertime. I would recommend this with substantial salads, seafood, and light chicken dishes - and let's not forget the cheese and fruit platter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span><b>McNary Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - 2015</b>: <span style="font-weight: normal;">The McNary Vineyard is located in the Southeast corner of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, a sub AVA in the larger Columbia Valley AVA. I could be wrong, but my palate can often tell the difference between a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot from the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla AVA. Walla Walla always shows off dark cherry notes, while those from the Columbia Valley showcase dark berries. Yup, with one sip I could tell this was a red wine from the Columbia Valley region with the notes of blackberry, a hint of mocha, and spice such as cloves and nutmeg in the long finish. With a price of under $20, this is the perfect wine for casual entertaining or movie night in front of the television. Give me a good ol' American burger for this wine - then again, perhaps a piece of prime rib during the holidays. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The Oregon Trails Wine Company</b><span font-size:="" xx-small=""> is another one of the branches of the Wine Trees, LLC. This example of pinot noir represents the fertile hills of Willamette Valley, as well as saluting the brave explorers who traveled west on the Oregon Trail during the 1830s.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span font-size:="" style="font-family: "is another one of the branches owned by wine trees" , "llc their goal is to produce span span style";" xx-small=""><span style="font-family: "raleway" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span font-size:="" style="font-family: "is another one of the branches owned by wine trees" , "llc their goal is to produce span span style";" xx-small=""><span style="font-family: "raleway" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>OTWC Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - 2016: </b>It's a pretty color of garnets that flows into the glass. With a deep nose in the glass, it brings aromas of cranberry, currant jelly, and freshly baked cherry pie. On the palate, there are notes of fresh raspberries and strawberries - which are so typical of the Willamette Valley. The finish leaves behind spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg - and more cherry - reminiscent of cherry jam. It's a wine perfect for fall dining, such as with pork and turkey dishes, or even roasted vegetables. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr-zwp4Rknw/W6whEdqcyeI/AAAAAAAAGYc/q4XSkpjrQy8VumD9TpcLcrTrb3j0e9AHACLcBGAs/s1600/OregonTrailsWineCo_PinotNoir_2015-640x960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wr-zwp4Rknw/W6whEdqcyeI/AAAAAAAAGYc/q4XSkpjrQy8VumD9TpcLcrTrb3j0e9AHACLcBGAs/s400/OregonTrailsWineCo_PinotNoir_2015-640x960.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span font-size:="" style="font-family: is another one of the branches owned by Wine Trees, LLC. Their goal is to produce</span><span style=;" xx-small="">Again, I cannot stress the affordability of these wines which are perfect for entertaining or a quiet evening for one - or two. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span font-size:="" style="font-family: is another one of the branches owned by Wine Trees, LLC. Their goal is to produce</span><span style=;" xx-small=""><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span font-size:="" style="font-family: is another one of the branches owned by Wine Trees, LLC. Their goal is to produce</span><span style=;" xx-small=""><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Wines sent to me by <a href="http://balzac.com/">Balzac Communications and Wine Marketing</a>). </span><br />
<span font-size:="" style="font-family: "is another one of the branches owned by wine trees" , "llc their goal is to produce span span style";" xx-small=""><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-35754810105803236132018-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:002018-07-24T08:00:09.650-07:00Witchy Women Sleuths Loving Washington and Oregon Wines. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><a href="http://wildwallawallawinewoman.blogspot.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman</a> blog has slowed down a bit, but that's okay. I also own another blog, <a href="http://passementaries.blogspot.com/">Passementaries</a> that let's me be creative and share things I enjoy beyond wine - and most of all, there is no pressure. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;">It's certainly not a barn burner in readers like my original <b>W5</b> blog that went off the charts, but I love the freedom of Passementaries. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;">Soon to be released is the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Restaurants-Walla-American-Palate/dp/1467136344" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Lost Restaurants of Walla Walla</a> published by <a href="https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467136341" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Arcadia Publishing and History Press. </a> This press also published my <a href="https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781626191686" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Wines of the Walla Walla Valley: A Deep-Rooted History.</a><br /><br />And - - I took on another project. A "cozy" murder mystery series by "Catherine Wright."<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Way-Amethyst-Catherine-Wright-ebook/dp/B07FN9R1F7/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532360844&sr=1-1&keywords=witch+way+to+amethyst" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> Witch Way to Amethyst Bay</a> is a very different style of writing for me - it's fiction. In these crazy upside-down times, it's been a nice escape to visit the little town of "Amethyst Bay, Oregon."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;">So why would a wine lover want to read a fictional book about women sleuths who has a bit of power under their sleeves? Well, these women happen to love drinking wine. One of the sleuths owns a deli/grocery which has a wonderful wine selection and hangs with a wine distributor. Wine shows up at every meal and special dinners. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrSEWlUQ40c/W1YpK9tEKxI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/cOOEMbi8r7EVre7t2NiBsTj745CjNvXFACLcBGAs/s1600/CatieMcIntyre-72dpi-1500x2000%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrSEWlUQ40c/W1YpK9tEKxI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/cOOEMbi8r7EVre7t2NiBsTj745CjNvXFACLcBGAs/s400/CatieMcIntyre-72dpi-1500x2000%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.85px;"><br /><br />Currently the book, <b>Witch Way to Amethyst Bay?</b> is on Kindle e-book (no problem if you don't have a Kindle, as the apps are free and easy to download on phones, tablets, and lap and desktops). Hopefully in the next five to 10 days, the book will be available in paperback. If you enjoy the read, please kindly leave me a review. Thanks ahead of time. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-72768855507739247892018-06-02T07:30:00.000-07:002018-09-26T16:29:35.075-07:00Pursued By Bear<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you receive an invitation to attend a special wine tasting with actor Kyle MacLachlan and winery owner, you pay attention. This event also happened to be close to my "Kid Sister's" birthday - so I impressed her with a birthday present to meet one of her favorite actors.<br /><br />Kyle MacLachlan, known to many as<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> his role as</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Special Agent </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Dale Cooper</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Twin Peaks</span>, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Paul Atreides</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> the movie </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Dune</span>, <span style="background-color: white;">Jeffrey Beaumont in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Blue Velvet</span>, <span style="background-color: white;"> Trey MacDougal in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Sex and the City</span><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Orson Hodge</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Desperate Housewives</span>, <span style="background-color: white;"> the Mayor of Portland in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Portlandia</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to name a few... as well as</span><span style="background-color: white;"> winning a</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama</span>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, in Walla Walla he has another role as owner of <a href="http://www.pursuedbybearwine.com/">Pursued By Bear</a> - a winery featuring small lots of limited production of red wine and a lovely blushing </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rosé. Kyle grew up in Yakima, Washington, 90-miles from the Walla Walla Valley. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he is only too familiar with the agriculture surrounding Yakima and Walla Walla. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also, this is more than just a vanity wine by some Hollywood resident, as Kyle actually gets out in the vineyards and is involved as much as possible with his winemaker, Daniel Wampfler. The winery gives him another opportunity to come home and visit family</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The name of the winery is only too fitting considering </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it goes back to the early form of theater making reference to Shakespeare's </span><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Winter’s Tale, </span></i><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in which the character Antigonus is directed to exit, "pursued by a bear</span><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">."</span></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5ftztRo5Do/W6vpwgC8LHI/AAAAAAAAGYE/EhvRLD1Q3YodijxQyFtqzbnDrwLbzlJeACLcBGAs/s1600/31944758_10155247956621121_3087634315303976960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5ftztRo5Do/W6vpwgC8LHI/AAAAAAAAGYE/EhvRLD1Q3YodijxQyFtqzbnDrwLbzlJeACLcBGAs/s400/31944758_10155247956621121_3087634315303976960_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How do I casually say, "Wine tasting with Kyle?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Okay, so how are the wines?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Can I just be honest and not do the usual boring and predictable tasting notes? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh my gawd!</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First off, the wines showed off their unique characters that we should expect in each variety. They were not muddied and there were no guessing games. Each grape's distinctive personality came through.<br /><br /><b>Baby Bear Syrah - 2014</b>: When it comes to Syrahs, I want to taste notes of "breakfast," and what do I mean by that? I want notes of dark berries, coffee, and toast - and all of those notes were there, including a bit of licorice and some "funk." How do I explain the notes of "funk?" It's funk in a good way - think lovely Old World French wine.<br /><b><br />Pursued By Bear Cabernet Sauvignon - 2014</b>: I am a fan of a good Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon, and especially those with prominent notes of dark cherries, which this wine showed off. Also, I picked up</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a few hints of lavender and cassis.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> So how can you go wrong? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Therefore, this wine didn't disappoint. The tannins were well balanced with a long finish on the palate. This is a wine that would enhance any special dinner, especially those meals served with beef, bold roasted meats, wild mushrooms, and I am thinking with sweet potatoes - actually any root vegetable.<br /><br /><b>Blushing Bear R</b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>osé - 2017</b>: Give me a glass of this wine without telling me where it's from and I would thank you for giving me a lovely glass of r</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">osé from Provence. Crafted with the traditional French blend of Grenache, Mouvedre, and Cinsault. The pale pink wine was an elegant nose of rose petals, and to the palate it was crisp, with fruity notes of stone fruit, a bit of citrus, and ending with hints of rosemary. Just a luscious wine that you want to drink all summer long - besides saving a few bottles for the Thanksgiving table.<br /><br />Yes, needless to say I was impressed with the wine, but also the host of the day - Kyle MacLachlan - and that he was - every bit of a welcoming host. As I stood in line waiting for an opportunity to speak with him, I couldn't help notice how personable he was, and how much time he spent with each one of his guests: to visiting with them and even helping setting their camera's to the right distance and light. It was also very Happy Birthday for my sister as she finally got to meet, "Special Agent Dale Cooper." </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsKDULj2dgo/W6voaHMbNYI/AAAAAAAAGX4/_inKUftwTDU0v-PC2z0SaYM_ZxaL8gcigCLcBGAs/s1600/52926296-2ef5-11e8-a74d-aed0edb0db91-640x853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsKDULj2dgo/W6voaHMbNYI/AAAAAAAAGX4/_inKUftwTDU0v-PC2z0SaYM_ZxaL8gcigCLcBGAs/s400/52926296-2ef5-11e8-a74d-aed0edb0db91-640x853.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Seattle Times </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-25274152074479194052018-05-28T07:33:00.000-07:002018-05-30T07:34:14.437-07:00Merlot: the little black bird<div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Named after a little
black bird in France, merle or merlau, it was only fitting this dark blue-colored
wine grape variety the little bird enjoyed dining on would be referred to as
“merlot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As early as 1824, the name merlot referred to the <span style="background: white;">second most popular grape grown in the Bordeaux region
of France - following after its cousin cabernet sauvignon - a heartier and
richer grape than merlot. In Bordeaux, the Left Bank region blends cabernet
sauvignon as the dominant wine joining its cousin merlot, and at the Right Bank
merlot is the featured wine blend. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This
French grape with notes of cherries, violets, and cigar box finally arrived in
California in the mid-nineteenth century where it was shown off as a single bottled
varietal instead of being traditionally blended with its French cousin cabernet
sauvignon.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/WallaWallaUnionBulletinSS/default.aspx">Continue...</a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-40394971514602313712018-04-30T07:49:00.000-07:002018-05-30T07:49:58.483-07:00Label her "Mom"<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Humans have been
creating images of mothers since men, and of course women, who crudely etched with
a jagged rock on the walls of caves. Through the centuries European artists
like <em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Elisabeth</span></em><span style="background: white;"> <em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Vigée Le Brun<b><span style="color: #6a6a6a;">, </span></b></span></em></span>Claude Monet, and Gustav
Klimpt to American artists such as James Whistler to Norman Rockwell painted
portraits of mothers. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white;">Dorothea
Lange’s</span> camera lens captured the destitution in the iconic 1936 black
and white photo of Florence<span style="background: white;"> Thompson, known as
the Migrant Mother; and <em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Annie Leibovitz<b> </b></span></em>shocked the public with her
controversial photos of pregnant celebrities posing in the nude. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of course, last but
certainly not least the many renditions of the most famous mom of all, the
Virgin Mary’s images discovered from the early centuries in Rome and Syria. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Images of mothers continue and today are
lovingly and respectfully honored on bottles of fine wine. </span></div>
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<a href="http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/WallaWallaUnionBulletinSS/default.aspx"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Continue...</span></a><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-5300967196827289542018-02-01T10:13:00.000-08:002018-02-26T10:20:32.246-08:00Wine-and-chocolate pairing: Love them, love them not!<div class="subscriber-only" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The verdict is in: Some wine lovers enjoy a bite of chocolate with a sip of red wine, and others do not. Opinions by winemakers and wine writers for loving or not loving these two luxurious “food groups” can be as contentious as ... well ... as the recent presidential election.</span></div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are numerous articles claiming one must stop the “silliness” of pairing chocolate confections with wine, while other reviewers celebrate the union of these rich mates on the palate.</span></div>
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<div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 27px; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some critics of wine-and-chocolate pairings even go as far as picking on the red-foil heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate gooey centers, nuts and chews. (I must admit, I rather love the tacky, nostalgic heart-shaped boxes.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/lifestyles/people/wine-and-chocolate-pairing-love-them-love-them-not/article_6e361ca2-e67d-11e6-a39c-532564a41853.html">Continue... </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-29172852827260783502017-10-01T10:55:00.000-07:002018-02-26T10:56:30.598-08:00Story in a Bottle<div class="textbox" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wine is personal. It’s personal when it comes to favored tastes
and aromas, but there are often personal stories in a bottle of wine. Sometimes
the stories are from the winemaker, and sometimes there are new stories and
memories to be made by the collector of the bottle. Today, wine consumers want
to know everything about a bottle of wine – and they want to hear the story. </span></div>
<div class="textbox" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="textbox" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the Walla
Walla Valley, there are many stories, and many wine labels reminiscent of
memories right out of an old family scrapbook. One of these labels tell a story
about a man who would eventually blaze a trail of history - - literally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/special/walla_walla_lifestyles/page/page_9d3daa51-b136-5ac1-8560-448a018cd37c.html">Continue... </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-73232057056978500672017-05-01T11:04:00.000-07:002018-02-26T11:05:15.476-08:00Mother Earth: Vines, Wines, and Moms<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Studies have shown a
mother’s impulse to love and protect her child appears to be hard-wired. This
impulse is often referred to as “maternal instinct.” Is there a mother’s impulse
to love and protect the wines and vines, as well? In the Walla Walla Valley, it is certainly
true. </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #231f20;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are at least 1,200 people employed in the Walla
Walla Valley wine industry. This number includes winemakers, production, hospitality,
retail, and administration. Women
are still under-represented in this industry, but they are certainly not
excluded. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #231f20;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #231f20;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the U.S. there are roughly 10 percent of wineries that have female
winemakers, yet the number is growing. In the Walla Walla Valley there are over
a dozen women winemakers that are also mothers who wear that “purple badge” of
honor on their hands – it’s the lingering stain of the grape that tends to make
a mess of a new manicure or a favorite article of clothing. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/special/page/page_f5b3c94f-df54-5768-8d97-be9b491800fa.html">Continue...</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-40541105068043807292017-04-01T11:18:00.000-07:002018-02-26T11:18:57.881-08:00Keepers of the Vines<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .1in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a very
long and unusually hard winter’s nap, the grapevines of the Walla Walla Valley
are beginning to come alive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
Valley is home to 116 vineyards with a total combined of 3,100 acres of wine grapes. SeVein Vineyards,
home of the original Seven Hills Vineyard first planted in 1980, is one of the
first </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">commercial vineyards in the area and
is located on the southern border of the Walla Walla AVA in Oregon State.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/special/page/page_3e32e58b-e798-510d-a8ff-3ed4a812fcbe.html">Continue... </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-35139243818795019952017-03-01T11:24:00.000-08:002018-02-26T11:31:51.772-08:00Rose': The Drink of Kings<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Often known as a girlie drink because it's so pretty in pink... </span><br />
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<em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was the
drink fit for kings and aristocrats.</span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><em style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Provence is a </span></em><span style="background: white; color: #222222; text-indent: 0.5in;">historical province of southeastern France. It is known for
its vast fields of lavender, as well as known for being </span><em style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-style: normal;">the
oldest wine growing region in France. I</span></em><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">t was in 600 B.C. when the Greeks
founded the area and introduced the first grape vines. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first wines to be
made in Provence were Rosés, and by the end of the 20<sup>th</sup> century,
that lovely blushing wine would find its way to Walla Walla. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; text-indent: 0.5in;">Rosé – Rosato - Rosado, no matter in
France, Italy, or Spain; the meanings are the same – pink. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">French-inspired
</span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; text-indent: 0.5in;">Rosé wines are made from red
grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mourvèdre</span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; text-indent: 0.5in;">, Pinot Noir, and Syrah; to name a few of the red grapes
often used for Rosé wines, and even Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio), a white
fleshed grape with a pinkish gray skin. In Italy their Rosato’s are typically
produced from the popular red grapes, Sangiovese or Nebbiolo; and in Spain
their Rosados are often produced from their widely grown red grape,
Tempranillo.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yes –
to those who were entranced with the creation of “White Zinfandel,” a pink
off-dry “blush” wine introduced in the mid-1970’s that would technically be
considered a Rosé, and yes – it is made from the very dark red grape,
Zinfandel. There are no pink or white Zinfandel grapes growing on the vines in
California. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/special/page/page_1aa2466b-882c-5876-a252-df39cf0604fc.html">Continue... </a></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-83758542387309909852016-11-30T10:01:00.000-08:002018-02-26T10:21:27.244-08:00Bring Out Some Elder Vintages<div class="subscriber-preview" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a0a0a;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Out with the old and in with the new” is a concept many people celebrate as December ends and a new year begins. However, it isn’t always accurate when it comes to wine; there, it’s more about “out with the oldest, and in with the old.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many a wine-lover can quote lines from the movie “The Jerk,” starring Steve Martin. His character, Navin Johnson, is dining, and when the waiter asks if Navin would like another bottle of Chateau Latour, from a prominent 18th-century French winery, Navin exclaims, “Ah yes, but no more 1966. Let’s splurge! Bring us some fresh wine! The freshest you’ve got — this year! No more of this old stuff.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/lifestyles/wine/bring-out-some-elder-vintages-for-a-vertical-tasting-or/article_81886e62-b35c-11e6-bcaa-97e2c4ddd546.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Continue... </span></a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-31038748900751504642016-04-04T07:00:00.000-07:002016-08-09T16:35:00.125-07:00Go West, Pinot Noir Lovers<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The following appeared in the <a href="http://www.yakimamagazine.com/2016/04/06/go-west-pinot-noir-lovers/">Yakima Magazine</a>, a monthly publication of the Yakima Herald News.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>In 1865, Horace Greeley, an American author was quoted in the New York Tribune encouraging America’s expansion westward, “Go West, Young Man, Go West…” Who knew that a little detour to the south of the Columbia River, to the now abundant Willamette Valley, would pay off? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Cayuse War of 1847, an armed conflict between the Cayuse people of the Walla Walla region and the United States Army, resulted in most of Eastern Washington being closed off to possible settlements in the Walla Walla and Yakima areas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the mean time, before the Cayuse treaty was established in 1859, new settlements had been channeled around the area of conflict further west to the Puget Sound area, and especially to southern Oregon near the Willamette Valley. Among one of the settlers was Henderson Luelling, a horticulturist who traveled to the area and planted the first known grapes in the Oregon Territory in 1847. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Similar to the regions of Washington Territory near the great Columbia River, the European and French-Canadian presence was also known among the “French Prairie” at Champoeg located in the Willamette Valley. The immigrants brought with them grape stock from their European homes and experimented with many wine grape varieties, until the Prohibition era banned all alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the Prohibition era, there wasn’t much of a presence of wine grapes in the State of Oregon, especially not much wine, other than the occasional “country” wines made with the local Oregon fruit sources, such as Marionberry, pear, and other orchard fruit-style wines — or at least not until the 1960’s when the first Pinot Noir grape vines were planted in Oregon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pinot Noir is a red grape variety with a reputation for being finicky in the vineyard and finicky in the vat. The thin-skinned grape in its tightly packed cluster and shaped like a pine cone, is grown all around the world yet takes comfort in cool regions, and particularly thrives in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It’s a temperamental grape that viticulturist and winemakers alike, love to hate and hate to love, but the consumer has fallen in love with this historic grape with roots as deep as its vines, dating back to 100 AD in the Burgundy region of France. The grape is known to produce some of the finest wines in the world with its flavor notes and essences of cherries, strawberries, and herbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today in the Willamette Valley, and all through Oregon, there are a total of over 20,000 acres planted in Pinot Noir and over 500 wineries with many producing Pinot Noir. The Willamette Valley is designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), with a total of six sub-AVA’s. American Viticultural Areas are known as designated wine grape-growing regions in the United States. They are distinguishable by geographic features and their boundaries are defined by the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The following sub-AVA’s within the Willamette Valley are: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, and Yamhill-Carlton. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The wine country of the Willamette Valley area is vibrant — and not just with wineries. There is great farm-to-table dining, lodging, shopping, tourist attractions, annual Pinot Noir celebrations, and a scenic jaunt of around 60 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Here are three, not to be missed wineries of the Willamette Valley… </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Domaine Drouhin</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J64CK2zNea8/V6pf5R4BFTI/AAAAAAAAE-o/210bgozNSxsdgZePPwDZVqMyUqB-b_NIgCLcB/s1600/2f60ab570bcae0b9f1d9df9a538b0e91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J64CK2zNea8/V6pf5R4BFTI/AAAAAAAAE-o/210bgozNSxsdgZePPwDZVqMyUqB-b_NIgCLcB/s400/2f60ab570bcae0b9f1d9df9a538b0e91.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domaine Drouhin - Oregon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Domaine Drouhin Oregon (DDO) in Dayton, may be a state-of-the art winery, but it brings with it deep historic roots from France. The DDO vineyards and wines are known for their “French soul” — produced with Oregon soil. The Drouhin Family has been making wine since its early days in France when it first established Joseph Drouhin wines back in 1880.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Across the globe in 1961, the third generation of the Drouhin family “discovered” Oregon, and by 1987, Drouhin purchased land in the Willamette Valley. Two years later the Domaine Drouhin Oregon winery was opened with an emphasis on Pinot Noir. This was a perfect partnership as the Willamette Valley is at the same latitude as the Burgundy region of France, as well as a similar climate, making it the perfect home for the finicky Pinot Noir grapes to thrive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today the fourth-generation Drouhin family is behind the beautiful French-inspired wines that come out of Oregon. Don’t just stop at tasting their Pinot Noir, but take a moment for a worthy sip of their Chardonnay as well. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stoller Family Estate </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j73FhR6KDVA/V6pfcnnMr9I/AAAAAAAAE-k/b6u1H0Y2vfoWVLkUPlfc4lHATFdFYy79wCLcB/s1600/Stoller-Family-Estate-Oregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j73FhR6KDVA/V6pfcnnMr9I/AAAAAAAAE-k/b6u1H0Y2vfoWVLkUPlfc4lHATFdFYy79wCLcB/s400/Stoller-Family-Estate-Oregon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoller Family Estate</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It started as a turkey farm in the 1940’s by the Stoller family, located in the farm land of the Dundee Hills. Throughout the next five decades, the turkey farm would grow from a small family farm to one of Oregon’s largest poultry operations. When the farm closed in 1993, Bill Stoller, whose father and uncle originally started the farm, took the opportunity to purchase the land from a cousin. The old farm buildings and property would be alive once again keeping with its agriculture roots; however this time the only turkey to be found would be on the label of a bottle of wine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Staying true to Bill Stoller’s rural Oregon upbringing, Stoller’s quest for sustainability earned the vineyard the first-ever LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification in the world. At this time their vineyard is the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon’s Dundee Hills. The property spans 373 acres, with approximately 190 acres dedicated to growing vines at elevations ranging from 220 to 640 feet, and over 120 acres dedicated to Pinot Noir. The winery grounds are peaceful with views of the vineyards from all around. Melissa Burr, head winemaker has been with Stoller since 2003. Once again, don’t stop at the Pinot Noir, but if in season, seek out their cool crisp and mouth watering Pinot Noir Rosé. It’s pretty and it’s pink. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>WillaKenzie Estate</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7FJ6qQKn0c/V6pgRj_uWoI/AAAAAAAAE-s/BH9ckzM6CxEIdkz7qbdhBpPaslFfmUg9QCLcB/s1600/1376579072000-Vineyard-TastingRoom-TroyFolsom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7FJ6qQKn0c/V6pgRj_uWoI/AAAAAAAAE-s/BH9ckzM6CxEIdkz7qbdhBpPaslFfmUg9QCLcB/s400/1376579072000-Vineyard-TastingRoom-TroyFolsom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WillaKenzie Winery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you are a fan of Pinot Noir then you have definitely struck gold when you reach the doors of WillaKenzie, with at least 10 different Pinot Noirs to sample from their variety of Pinot Noir clones, to the various elevations from which the vines are grown. There’s a French term used in agriculture known as “terroir,” meaning a “sense of place.” Indeed, WillaKenzie Estate Wines gives meaning to “sense of place” with the distinct elevations and various soils on the one parcel of land.
Owner and winemaker of WillaKenzie, Bernard Lacroute grew up in a small village in the Burgundy region of France. Accepting a fellowship to study in America, he eventually found his way to Oregon. In 1991 Lacroute and his partner, Ronni Lacroute purchased the 420 acre cattle farm in the Yamhill area and began planting the vines. In 1995, the winery was ready for business. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When visiting the WillaKenzie tasting room, a three or a five flight of Pinot Noir is encouraged. Discover the differences, especially to focus on the uniqueness and even the similarities that each distinguished Pinot Noir brings to the palate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is just a short day or perhaps a long afternoon of the bounty of Pinot Noir to be found in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. No, you won’t make it to all of the wineries, but you can come back for another visit or two, right? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.yakimamagazine.com/author/catiemcintyrewalker/">Catie McIntyre Walker - Author</a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-87885060872292093742016-04-03T07:00:00.000-07:002016-08-09T15:30:44.223-07:00It started with an Apple… Apple Pie Moonshine<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The following appeared in the <a href="http://www.yakimamagazine.com/2016/04/06/it-started-with-an-apple-apple-pie-moonshine/">Yakima Magazine</a>, a monthly publication of the Yakima Herald News. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">W</span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">e have been told for centuries that it started with an apple. After all, it was Eve who was tempted by the luscious red orb and plucked the first forbidden fruit from the tree. It started once again in Washington State when the oldest state’s apple tree was brought from England and planted in 1826 by the Hudson Bay Company. In the 1900’s, Swedish immigrants settled in the Yakima Valley and contributed to the first orchards in the valley — an area now known as Swede Hill.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ystrXB1LMK4/V6pY2fJqCsI/AAAAAAAAE-U/EMDfz55ON3Y-IWPQTqWiYDGUDDlmQPTSgCLcB/s1600/Swede-Hill-Mar-For-web-870x560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ystrXB1LMK4/V6pY2fJqCsI/AAAAAAAAE-U/EMDfz55ON3Y-IWPQTqWiYDGUDDlmQPTSgCLcB/s400/Swede-Hill-Mar-For-web-870x560.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo By Grit City Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once again it started with an apple when Kevin and Pamela Milford’s mission was to create a product out of this popular fruit. It made sense from a business standpoint, being this raw material was plentiful, living in the heart of apple country. It made sense from a regional standpoint, since Washington State is known for apples around the world, and it made sense on a personal level since Pamela’s grandparents were among the immigrants who planted the orchards — making it a perfect area for Swede Hill Distilling to settle, and call home.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kevin started his journey into the home beverage business when he first became a student at Washington State University. With the knowledge he obtained at the library, Kevin stored that information, and would later apply it to building his own still, and distilling in his kitchen. Long story short, the Milford’s can boast their attention to detail from the apples picked from their family orchards to the hand labeling on every finished bottle of Swede Hill Apple Pie Moonshine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, the Milford’s join the growing group of micro-distilleries that are all the rage in Washington State. In the beginning of 2008, there were no craft distilleries in the state, and now there are over 100. Market Watch Magazine reported earlier this year that according to the American Distilling Institute (ADI) in 2003 there were only 60 craft distillers operating in the United States. Today there are around 760 in the U.S.,
with at least 200 craft distillers currently under construction. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you drink your Swede Hill Apple Pie Moonshine straight or on the rocks? The answer is, “Yes.” There are many ways you can serve up a “helping” of Apple Pie Moonshine. A splash of bourbon here or a few shots of caramel vodka there — it is almost endless. In fact, when it comes time for dessert, with several scoops of vanilla ice cream and a blended dollop of peanut butter, you can enjoy your Apple Pie ala Mode. Cheers to your health, “An apple a day… ”</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.yakimamagazine.com/author/catiemcintyrewalker/">Catie McIntyre Walker - Author</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-50861930802821121532016-02-08T11:47:00.000-08:002016-02-08T11:53:45.342-08:00Happy New Year - Year of the Monkey<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah, I missed the traditional American calendar New Year, so how about celebrating the Lunar New Year? Here is what's ahead for you and me in the year of the Monkey - 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The positive and negative quality of the Monkey Year 2016 culminate in a year that anything can happen. There is little point in storing up goods or planning one’s life. The influence of the Monkey puts everything into flux. Things will get accomplished, but largely through personal and individual efforts. Group movements, such as political upheaval or revolutions, will not make a mark during this year.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This cheeky animal bursts with exuberance, bringing a lightening fast pace and fantastical motivation. The Monkey increases communication, humor and wit, helping us get through stressful times with grace and ease. Business flourishes and risks tend to pan out. The Monkey’s gift is the ability to find unconventional solutions to old problems. Daring to be different can lead to success.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For myself I am going to try and keep my humor and wit, and will muster up any grace that I can find - - when necessary. I know I have a bit of grace left in me for the deserving. Thankful to hear my risks in life will pan out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First of all, I appreciate my readers who have stayed with me through the last 10 years. I appreciate it more than you know, as well as always surprised when someone reaches out they are a reader of this blog. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last year I did change up the ol' blog a bit, and instead of the 99.99% concentration of all wines of Walla Walla, I have added wines from other regions, as well. These changes to the blog also assists me in research and wine education beyond where I live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you may know in November 2014 I released my first book, </span><a href="http://www.wildwallawallawinewoman.com/p/the-book.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Wines of the Walla Walla Valley: A Deep-Rooted History."</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a lot of fun being a guest at various book shops, wineries, and even public lectures about the rich wine history of the Walla Walla Valley. And the book writing continues, as j</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ust before the end of 2015, I signed another contract to write my second book about the history of the Walla Walla Valley. This time the emphasis will be on the agriculture and the food scene - - and there are already negotiations in the works to write a third book. I've also been taking a few creative writing classes to perhaps write a murder mystery some day. I figure my years of working in funeral homes, law firms, and wineries should be put to creative use. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have also returned to some freelance writing with the emphasis of wine and food for local and regional lifestyle publications. It is almost writing 24/7 at my household. In the mean time, I do get asked if I still sell wine. No, that is a chapter that is behind me. The only thing I sell at this time are non-alcoholic items where I am in charge of being the creative producer, such as books and a logo. The Wild </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Walla Walla Wine Woman blog has always been of its own creative entity and not legally affiliated with the The Grape Vine LLC which was a LLC partnership. T</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he name and art, Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman," was lent to that corporation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since I first started writing my blog in 2005, there has been a lot of growth in the wine blogging community. Many former bloggers, such as myself, have moved on to other wine writing or wine-related projects. However, there are still many new wine blogs popping up to enjoy. Critics like to say that wine blogging is not relevant anymore, but if that is so, why such success for so many new and current wine bloggers? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I cannot even begin to mention all of the wine blogs out there to view, and I have resigned myself to not bother keeping up. However, I can share that each wine blog has their own opinion and characteristics - something for everyone. I recommend to find a few you enjoy, but please remember to keep your mind and your palate open. Stop taking the wine world so serious, unless of course you have a few million bucks invested in it. As a consumer, just relax, discover, and enjoy. If you like a buttery oaky Chardonnay, then enjoy it no matter if I or another blogger tells you that over-oaked and diacetyl-laden wines suck. We're just asking you to keep an open mind, keep tasting wines, and once in awhile try a blended steel-fermented/two year-old barrel Chardonnay with clean notes of citrus and mango. Remember our palates change like our hair color - - or at least for some of us our hair color changes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me make a recommendation to you, and especially to the male readers. Reach out beyond the male perspective of wine and check out some of the many wine blogs by women, if you haven't already. Wine writer, <a href="http://www.wine-blog.org/">Jo Diaz of Diaz Communications</a> keeps a list of women wine bloggers. You may just find a different approach, as well as remove some of the gender stereotypes. We like other wines than just "Chardonnay and White Zinfandel." Some women wine writers also like beer. Aghast! One may even discover that there are women winemakers in the world, as well. (ahem)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately, there are wine blogs who are rather dismal and their only motive is to harm and figuratively maim other wine bloggers. They bitch and bully when a prominent wine blogger gives out information they don't agree with. Instead of clarifying or giving their own professional opinion, they call out names instead. Seriously, to call people names and try to ruin their reputation is very sophomoric, "my love," besides missing out on an opportunity to assist and share your own professional opinion. It's important to share the wealth of knowledge in a wine blog instead of using others in a nonconstructive way to gain an audience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To sum it up, as an old friend use to say about men who were bullies or drove small trucks with noisy exhausts and big monster tires, "Sorry about your penis ... " </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A sympathy card is on the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over all, this is just a long way to get around to let my readers know that I appreciate all of you very much. Any success I have been blessed with started here due to my readers. Thank you, and here's to a healthy and profitable New Year for all. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-71813498497280405372015-11-10T08:30:00.000-08:002015-11-10T08:30:00.826-08:00African Passion: Passionate About Chenin Blanc<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Right. I know. I live in Walla Walla and typically write about Walla Walla and other wines from Washington State, but once in awhile one must "think" outside the box, or more like go beyond the border. Many of us locals have cut our teeth on the wines of the Walla Walla Valley, but as we explore in our pursuit to become knowledgeable about wines, it's important to explore beyond. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The <b>African Passion</b> lines of New World wine were first debuted in the United States back in 2013, and created in the KWV Cellar from Paarl, Western Cape. The grapes as well are also sourced from the Western Cape of Africa where </span>Chenin Blanc is currently the country’s most widely planted grape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1918, the year Nelson Mandela was born, South African wine farmers founded KWV with the aim of stabilizing, supporting and structuring a young, struggling industry. Until the early 1990s, when world markets opened to South African wine, KWV played a central role in regulating the industry. Since then, KWV has transformed itself into a commercial player, exporting award-winning wines and brandies from its main cellar complex in Paarl all over the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chenin Blanc is a favorite of mine, and there are times I cannot get enough of it. It's not a plentiful white grape in the US, such as Chardonnay. We see a few Chenin Blancs in Washington State, and especially a couple of producers in the Walla Walla Valley. Whenever I see a bottle of French Vouvray, from the <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 15.6px;"> </span>Loire valley - the birth place of Chenin Blanc, I cannot leave the bottle on the shelf. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The beauty of this white grape is that it is so easy to sip, but also one of the best white wines to pair with food. Even now, I am thinking how well it pairs with the Thanksgiving turkey, and sage and onion dressing. It's endless - the crisp acids pairs well with the charcuterie and cheese platters. Fish, seafood, poultry and creamy cheesy pasta dishes - from the basic fish and chips to lobster, and mac and cheese to a creamy primavera Alfredo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>African Passion Chenin Blanc - 2012</b>: Juicy! Crisp! Fresh! Pretty! So typical of a well made Chenin Blanc. Orange blossom and melon on the nose. It's a bite of the fruit orchard, especially Granny Smith apples, ripe pears, and peaches. A hint of honeydew melon and lemon curd gives it a smooth mouth feel, with a sprinkle of nutmeg for spice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the noticeable things of the African Passion line, it comes with a screw cap. Especially important if you are often a party of one, as I was able to enjoy about three days worth of this tasty wine. It's important to note that about 10% from the sales of the African Passion wines will be contributed to the TransAfrica Forum in order to support human rights and social justice in Africa.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <i>(Received free sample)</i><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-37229869023268546982015-11-03T11:06:00.000-08:002015-11-03T11:06:04.752-08:00Tall Sage<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>“Find a Tall Sage and you have found a place that will
sustain superior grape vines.” - Dr. Walter Clore, "Father of Washington Wine."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Goose Ridge Estate Winery</b> in the Columbia Valley at Richland, Washington is located in the center of their 2,200 acre vineyard. Founded by the Monson Family in 1999, they have diversified with growth of their vineyard, as well as a new label, <b>Tall Sage</b>. Tall Sage is exclusively sold through Vintage Point, a small wholesale portfolio featuring small luxury wines. These wines made their first appearance around three months ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tall Sage is the Monson Family's tribute to the founder of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards, Arvid Monson. Arvid was an entrepreneur in the Yakima Valley, as well as an orchardist, cattle rancher, and in the fall of 1997 he started the development of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards with the guidance of Dr. Walter Clore.</span> Arvid died last year, December 1, 2014. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Andrew Wilson is the winemaker for Goose Ridge Estate Winery, and with his 12 years winemaking experience (and we were in a few eno/vit classes together) has been a familiar face in the Walla Walla Valley. Andrew has worked for Forgeron Cellars, Long Shadow's Vintners and Artifex Wine Company; which are all located in Walla Walla. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFzz7Gsqy84/VjkDhuaXIDI/AAAAAAAAEvM/m2fxjZCOsIY/s1600/Tall-Sage-Chard%2B2014%2BFace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFzz7Gsqy84/VjkDhuaXIDI/AAAAAAAAEvM/m2fxjZCOsIY/s200/Tall-Sage-Chard%2B2014%2BFace.jpg" width="172" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Tall Sage Chardonnay - 2014</b>: With my nose deep in the glass, I immediately knew this was a Chardonnay. It presented a clean and bright aromas, with a bit of honeysuckle and pineapple. With a sip, or two, this wine brought to my palate a hint of apple, more pineapple, and also just a hint of sweetness. It wasn't a cloying sweetness, but just a kiss. The finish was bright, yet with mineral-like quality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That little hint of sweetness from the Chardonnay is quite perfect for the beginner wine drinker. It also makes it perfect for food, such as spicy dishes with an Asian-influence, curry dishes, as well as spicy Mexican shrimp and chicken dishes. Also, with a good chill, a perfect porch sipper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Tall Sage Cabernet Sauvignon - 2014</b>: 100% Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Syrah and 3% Malbec. Distinctive. Bold. A wine meant for food - "big" food. The nose was a bit on the smoky side. On the palate big cherry and dark berry, and other dark fruits, such as plums comes through. More smoke is showing off possibly from the barrel, and even the Syrah. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was also just a hint of sweetness in the finish, perhaps from the Malbec. Again, this "fruity" presence makes it a wine for the beginner who wants to tackle a bold red wine. And the boldness from this wine, pleads for a big meal of big roasted meats, and even grilled slightly charred vegetables. Also, I keep thinking about a big grilled portobello mushroom burger with melted Swiss or Fontina cheese on whole wheat bun. Ooey-gooey with lots of smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, and even a light herbal-</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">mayonnaise spread, and a sip of Tall Sage Cabernet Sauvignon between each bite. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The price point of Tall Sage wines are an attractive around the $10 range. At this price it makes these wines important as a reminder to drink local - drink Washington State. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">(Wines received as samples)</i><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-49106761799289395312015-10-05T12:36:00.000-07:002015-10-09T18:35:19.363-07:00Mother Knows Best: Sleight of Hand Spellbinder - 2012<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Yes, I am still writing about wine. So, I took a couple of months off. You're not going to rid of me that easy ... </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like most families, we are all busy, including my mother. My mother is legally blind, but can still maneuver her house chores, she coordinates neighborhood gatherings, walks with her morning walking group, and has the most beautiful flower beds that she maintains all by herself. I should be so fortunate, even with my half-way decent eye sight. In other words, my mother makes me look like a slacker. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because we are all so busy, about once a month she likes her children, at least those here in town, to come over for Sunday dinner. I will often bring a bottle of wine, but mom has a nice little stash herself and anything that looks interesting to her, she brings home and puts in her collection. You see, her doctor told her a little glass of wine before bedtime is good for her - - and she follows the doctor's orders. Wines with a screw cap works especially well for mom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last night we went to mom's for Sunday dinner. She made a meal that was a childhood favorite of mine and my siblings - Swiss steak, mashed potatoes, fresh local green beans, a garden green salad with lots of fresh local tomatoes - - and if we cleaned our plates we got ice cream. Yay! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is "Swiss steak?" It's a large round steak cut into serving sizes, then seasoned, browned and braised very slow in a crock pot or oven in a sauce of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and mushrooms. And yes - - the recipe is originally from Switzerland. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mom was prepared as she already had a bottle of wine set out - it was the </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sleight of Hand Cellars Spellbinder - 2012</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perfect! It had been a few months since I had a glass of red wine - - yes, really. For some reason this summer I had been exclusively drinking bubbles, whites and plenty of <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">rosés. My taste buds have not been in the mood for reds. However, having a glass of <b>Sleight of Hand Cellars Spellbinder</b> changed my mind - - and it is also fall, which is the perfect time to pair reds with the seasonal fare. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Spellbinder</b>, with a screw cap for Mom, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. It was a great nose full of cherries, dark berries and dried plums, with a hint of tobacco. The flavors were soothing to my palate, especially after a palate of white wines for a few months. The flavors offered more black berries, a hint of Cocoa-Cola, and the right balance of tannins. I sampled it a bit before dinner, and of course, it paired perfect with Mom's dinner. In other words, whether you enjoy this as a "lone-sipper" or pair it with a casual, but well-prepared tasty dinner - - the<b> Sleight of Hand Spellbinder </b>is a winner-winner-Swiss-steak dinner! </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-81349551531212505532015-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:002015-07-17T16:44:27.789-07:00Brosé: The French, The Oregonian, and the Washingtonian <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's a side of me that almost gave a second thought about adding "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Brosé"</span> to the title of this blog, but I think it needs to be addressed. The new, yet hopefully short trend in the USA is the name, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Brosé. Somehow, s</span>omewhere, someone gave "permission" to the male wine consumer that it was okay to drink that pretty pink wine, but only if it is referred to as "Brosé." </span><br />
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Nonsense! Tell that to many generations of men in Provence who have been sipping on the Bandols and Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence during a game of <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">pétanque</span>. Tell that silly term to the men of the Loire Valley who sips on a glass of Reuilly or the pink Chinons. Oh, and I dare you to discount Rosé Champagne: the queen of Rosé. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few moons ago, I was working as a part-time tasting room attendant and we introduced one of the very first Rosés in the Walla Walla Valley. It was a tough sale at first, and especially to the men-folk. Once we convinced them to taste this luscious bright Syrah Rosé, they were sold - - especially when you gave them food pairing ideas, such as: grilled seafood, croque-monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich), smoked sausages, and poultry. </span><br />
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How did we convince our male customers to take their first sip of this Rosé? We slipped in a few special words, "Produced by a French winemaker ... just like they do in France ... He produced it ... just like they do in France ... dry and crisp ... just like those wines of France ..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">French or France was the key to this game of sales, yet the new </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rosé</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> lover went home with a treasure, and some wine education.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are days I need to go in hiding. There are times I get so busy with writing or home projects, I forget the time, the month, and finally realize I haven't even left the county. Just this April was one of those times when it occurred to me I hadn't left since I started my </span><a href="http://www.wildwallawallawinewoman.com/p/the-book.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">book project</span></b></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - over a year ago. It was time to pack my bags and go. There's a tiny little cabin I am rather fond of at Wallowa Lake, Oregon where I like to hide. So, I packed many books, enough food for 3-4 days and most important, three bottles of some of my favorite Rosés - - from France, Oregon, and Washington. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Domaine St. Aix, "AIX" Rosé </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Coteaux d'Aix en Provence), 2014 - This 130 year old winery, located in the south of France, has produced a very pale pink wine, almost clear. The aroma in the glass is ripe of fresh thyme and berries. It's a traditional blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. It is delicate in taste, but the Herbs of Provence still shine through with crisp acids, and fruits of raspberries, cherries, vanilla, and a hint of mineral in the finish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir Rosé, </b>2014 - this </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rosé first caught my attention almost eight years ago and I have been seeking it out ever since. It always makes an appearance in my wine refrigerator. The color-palette is a little richer shade of pink. The nose is of watermelon and rose petals. The palate brings forth more watermelon and raspberries, making it thirst quenching with it's bright acids. I've actually had a couple of occasions to sip this pretty wine in the Stoller Estate Vineyards during the hot month of August. Again, it just quenched my thirst, as well as adding to the romance of a vineyard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Maison Bleue Winery </b><b>"Lisette" Rosé of Grenache</b>, 2014 - I've been drinking this Rosé, since I have been aware of the existence of Washington State winemaker and Maison Bleue owner, Jon Meuret and his elegant Rhone-style wines. Raspberries and flowers reach the nose of this lovely pale peach-colored wine. Strawberries, plums, and spice, with a reminder - just a reminder of mineral in the finish. This wine is intricate, yet elegant, but still perfect for laid back porch sippin' and very special when paired with light summer meals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you can hang onto these great </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rosés</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> long enough, I would even recommend the Stoller and Maison Bleue </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rosés especially to pair with a Thanksgiving turkey. Maybe I will take a couple bottles back to the mountains this fall. </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-5137215511380890392015-07-15T15:09:00.000-07:002015-07-15T19:39:32.039-07:00Stop Dissecting the Wine Blogger: The Mystique in the Locker Room<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I've been sitting on this blog for a few days now. Every year now, for almost 10 years, I write one with similar content, while I ponder, "Should I post or ..." You disagree? Go write your own wine blog, but at least I got your attention with the locker room title. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Picture this ...</span><br />
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A steamy locker room filled with male wine aficionados. There are magazine clippings with bottles of Château d'Yquem<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> </span>and <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Châteauneuf-du-Pape</span> taped on the doors of their lockers with color crayoned labels marked, "My Dream Wine." These wine lovers, as they are drying themselves off, mindlessly yet habitually burping and adjusting their - - junk - - you know, their 14kt gold tastevins around their necks - - anyways - - they start getting frisky, while slapping each other with their wet limp towels, chirping, </span><br />
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"You're the best wine know-it-all - - ever!" (slap) While another sings back, "No, you are!" (slap) "No! YOU are!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I love ya man and to prove it, let me buy ya a glass of B</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">r</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">osé.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> "Yo dude. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Br</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">osé? But only if we can smoke cigars while drinking that pink stuff." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At least this is my visual to amuse me, and to keep me from crying like a girl. However, I believe there are a few other women wine writers who join me in my perspective. We all know the routine. Once a year there will be, ironically, a male wine blogger, or perhaps even a winemaker, a wine critic, of some sorts, who will thump their chest and rattle a few cages giving the impression that all wine bloggers should be spit upon. "Patooey!" They will pontificate about wine bloggers pontificating. Their fellow readers will make it worse by yammering on about how wine bloggers "don't know what they are talking about," and how "wine bloggers should stop arguing the point system." (Yeah, actually they should stop.) Many critics will assume and parrot-speak the usual "wine bloggers have never sold a bottle of wine, wine bloggers don't understand social media, and if they did; why aren't they writing for a respectable</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> paper rag ... blah blah" - - and it continues. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some wine bloggers will fire back, but mostly male. There will be one or two women who will engage (When will I ever learn?), but often we will go ignored as there are too many big shiny belt buckles jostling and making noises to be heard. It's been my experience that many of my male wine peers will repeat what I had previously stated, but the male wine aficionado will be the one who is heard and addressed. ("Slap," goes the towel.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wine bloggers will get called names and generalized. I've heard it all. A spokesperson from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate referred to us as "blobbers," Then later came Anthony Dias Blue of the Tasting Panel magazine who referred to us as "bitter carping gadflies." Supposedly one of our own, or I think he is one of "us" as he uses the old and outdated Blogspot format, The Hosemaster, referred to wine bloggers as "attention seeking barking lonely poodles." Did he coin us that as a way for him to - - well - - seek attention? Bark. Bark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just last week, a wine journalist, author, blogger, and a man who I happen to enjoy his forthright political leanings, as well as adore his photos and love for his dog; lashed out about wine bloggers. Ironically, the subject was for bloggers to stop with the insults, while he insulted - - yup, you got it, a whole group of wine bloggers. He focused on sexism, ageism, and there was a lecture to stop picking on "old white wine guys." With that said, how about us stopping with the "blogism?" Blogism = stereotyping wine bloggers. </span><br />
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Oh, and of course, I bit. (When will I ever learn?) I was one of the few women who commented. Why did I engage? Because I fit into all of the categories of these prejudices such as ageism, sexism, and "blogism." I am an old white woman wine blogger! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hell, even at the last wine bloggers conference I attended, three young women assumed I was a mother of a wine blogger waiting for her kid to get out of one of the break-out sessions. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now in this discussion of sexism was the focus of women winemakers, but it's all supposedly good now. (Oh lookie! See? There are too women winemakers now getting a few accolades<stamping feet="">, and surprisingly they make a pretty decent bottle of wine. How cute is that - a magazine article on "Women Winemakers.") Of course, in my commentary I pointed out there is still sexism, especially since there is a limited amount of women wine writers in national wine print (When will I ever learn?). Sure enough, once again Thomas Matthews, Executive Editor of the Wine Spectator, reminded me for the second time about Dina Nigro, Senior Editor. (When will I ever learn?) And yes, Tom. The next time you are in my 'hood, let's cross paths.</stamping></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My point? I am really getting tired of the stereotyping and name calling of wine bloggers - aka "blogism." It's not fashionable, anymore. It's getting boring. And I believe I have heard it all in my last 10 years doing this gig. This hissy-fit of the fittest and generalization of all wine bloggers happens at least once a year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stop with the dissecting of the wine blogger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the last ten years, unfortunately I have read much commentary from overstuffed wine "aficionados" who buy into these articles and will create a bigger pile-on criticizing bloggers stating "Wine bloggers will never have the credentials ... knowledge ... blah, blah, and blah." Well, in the last ten years most of the wine bloggers I know, and especially those who have been blogging for awhile, have the credentials and the knowledge. The majority of the wine bloggers who started around the same time I did, and even a few years later, are very accomplished. There's a new group of wine bloggers who are typing up clean, yet colorfully visual wine blogs filled with wine buying approaches for the new wine consumers. Among the bloggers are published wine writers and authors, as well as speakers, marketing directors, judges, and travel wine writers - - and well, even bloggers who just love wine and want to share the love. Needless to say, I am quite proud to be a wine blogger, no matter the critics who jump on the "Hate Wine Bloggers" parade float. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sure. In this blog post I am guilty as can be for making generalizations of wine aficionados, especially the locker room scene and the jostling of big belt buckles. My generalizations are based after the same scenarios we see play out every year. However, I should not assume, as no doubt there are a few of those male critics of wine bloggers who also wear suspenders along with their belts and teeny tarnished belt buckles. And the shower scene? Once again, I should not assume as not all of the male wine lovers in the shower are talking about R<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">osé, but </span>discussing the point system - - after all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh what the hell - - let's hit the "publish" button! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-66576653577688284592015-06-25T08:00:00.000-07:002015-06-25T11:06:27.404-07:00Cool Climate. Cool Wine: Finger Lakes of New York<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was asked if I wanted to participate in a <a href="http://www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com/"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Finger Lakes</span></b></a> virtual wine tasting, of course I said, "Yes." I was particularly looking forward to it when they mentioned the wine tasting would include three of each, 2012 Cabernet Franc and 2012 Lemberger. </span><br />
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It just so happens that Cabernet Franc is my favorite red wine grape, and I am always intrigued with Lemberger. Whenever I see a bottle of Lemberger (aka Blau Frankisch) on the store shelf, I will usually buy it. My fascination with Lemberger is that it is Washington State's over-looked "heritage" grape, as it was first planted in 1941 by<span style="line-height: 20px;"> Dr. </span><span style="color: black;">Walter Clore,</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> a Washington State University researcher and "Father of Washington Wine." </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Considering the wines we tasted from New York, it gives us a hint that the Finger Lakes produces more than just Rieslings.</span><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Some little "fun facts" about the area: 1.) There are over 115 wineries in the area. 2.) Over 9,200 acres of grapes, with 848 acres planted with Riesling (220,000 cases of Riesling per harvest). 3.) </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Growing season is 190-205 days in a year; and 4.) </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The </span><span style="line-height: 19.5px;">Finger Lakes AVA </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">encompasses four lakes: Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The virtual tasting was hosted by Brandon Seeger, Chair of the Wine Marketing Program from the new restaurant, Coltivare Culinary Center located in Ithica, NY. We sipped and Tweeted <span style="color: #cc0000;">#FLXWineVT </span>while listening to the discussion with the winemakers on a live web stream. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The claim throughout the Finger Lakes region is that 2012 was a exceptional vintage, due to the perfect balance of warm temperatures and rainfall. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Over all, I thought the wines from the Finger Lakes region were very food friendly, and ready to drink now. They do not have the heavy tannins for long-term aging like the Cabernet Francs and Lembergers from Washington State. The Finger Lakes red wines were very crisp and fruit driven. </span></span><br />
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<u style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Cabernet Franc: </u><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><b>Damiani Wine Cellars </b>- is located on the eastern shores of Seneca Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes. The winery was established in 2004, and produces around 8,000 cases. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The aroma was the Cabernet Franc was of baked berry cobbler, cigar box, and spice. Notes of cocoa and more cigar box followed through with dark plums, ginger and more spice. This Cabernet Franc was medium bodied with just enough acidity and tannins. A definite food wine picking up notes of roasted meats and olives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Heron Hill Winery</b> - is located on Keuka Lake, as well as a tasting room located on Seneca Lake. Their first vintage was in 1977, and have grown to from a small 5,000 case production to now 18,000. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The aroma of their Cabernet Franc was of cigar box, spice, and a touch of blackberry jam. The palate was that of Crème de Cassis and a hint of eucalyptus in the finish. The tannins were a bit on the shy side making it a "drink now" wine, pairing with cheese and grilled veggies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>McGregor Vineyard</b> - is located near the eastern shore of Keuka Lake. They established their winery in 1980, and like many of the Finger Lakes wineries started their first vintages with</span> Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer<span style="line-height: 20px;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The Cabernet Franc is reasonably priced at $25. The nose expresses that of bramble berries, especially ripe raspberries. The berries continue on the palate with flavors of dark cherries, light oak, and a hint of woody spice like cinnamon. The tannins do show off a bit. I am thinking casual grilled meats like burgers and skirt steak for pairing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b>Fox Run Vineyards</b> - overlooks one of the deepest parts of the Seneca Lake with 55 acres of vineyards starting starting with their first planting in 1994. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">Their first vineyard blocks of Lemberger are blocks 6,9, and 11. Block 6 was planted in 1995. Block 9 was planted in 2000, with Block 11 planted in 1998. What is interesting is the Lemberger was all machine picked. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">The wine - - well, it smelled of a Lemberger that I was familiar, with notes of berries, spice and especially black pepper. On the palate it continues with more berries, including cherries and cigar box with a spicy black pepper finish. Lemberger is a nice summer sipper, even with a bit of a slight chill on the wine. Try it with an earthy flavored meal like grilled portobello on a bun and topped with cheese. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>Fulkerson Winery</b> - is located on the west side of Seneca Lake. In 1989 Fulkerson Winery opened with a release of 1,000 cases. It has now grown to 20,000 cases. Fulkerson originally got their start by selling fresh-pressed juice to home winemakers. They are a seventh-generation business. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The nose is bright aromas of fresh sweet cherries with a hint of cigar box. Juicy, with the right amount of acids that make the mouth water, as well as a hint of mineral. Did I mention it was juicy? A sprinkling of black pepper in the background and the bright red clear wine finishes rather silky on the tongue. A wine to be enjoyed with a big plate of spaghetti topped with a pile of Parmesan cheese.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b>Lakewood Vineyards </b>- is located on the heart of Seneca Lake. The winery was established in 1988, however their 80 acres of vineyards includes old vines dating back as far as 1952. To date, the vineyard consists of 14 wine grape varieties. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><there a="" and="" are="" bit="" blackberries="" hint="" nbsp="" nose.="" notes="" of="" on="" peppercorns="" span="" the="" toast="">The nose speaks of berries - raspberries, blackberries, and even a bit of blueberries. The dark fruit of the blackberries continues along with hints of pepper, toasted bread, dark cocoa, and cloves. </there>Finishing dry with flavors of blackberries and hints of more spice. Try this with a prime rib lathered with plenty of spicy salt and peppercorns. End cut or rare? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It just so happens the delivery of these wines couldn't be any more perfect as many of the wine bloggers will gather August 13-15, 2015 for the Annual <span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://winebloggersconference.org/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Wine Bloggers Conference </span></a> </span>located in the Finger Lakes Region, New York. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thank you to the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance for allowing me to be a part of their virtual tasting and providing the samples. </span></span><br />
<there a="" and="" are="" bit="" blackberries="" hint="" nbsp="" nose.="" notes="" of="" on="" peppercorns="" span="" the="" toast=""><br /></there>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-6620521907783718202015-06-16T10:37:00.000-07:002015-06-16T10:37:39.720-07:00Happy Birthday W5 - 10 Years! <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ten years ago, I never thought I would be writing this ... </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was 10 years ago, June 14 when I first started my wine blog, <a class="profileLink" data-gt="{"entity_id":"20953232481","entity_path":"\/profile_book.php"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=20953232481" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-Walla-Walla-Wine-Woman/20953232481" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Wild Walla Walla Wine </a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSB6cBpia5s/VYBdZ4ToepI/AAAAAAAAEPI/xzEobTsNPzM/s1600/bd%2Bcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSB6cBpia5s/VYBdZ4ToepI/AAAAAAAAEPI/xzEobTsNPzM/s400/bd%2Bcake.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Woman. What a ride! I had no idea that anyone was reading it. It was merely a collection of my own tasting notes and amusements. I just rather hung on and let the experiences fly rather serendipitous. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #141823;">So, in the mean time a lot has happened because of the blog. I landed in retail, and I even wrote a book, </span><a href="http://www.wildwallawallawinewoman.com/p/the-book.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Wines of Walla Walla Valley: A Deep-Rooted History</b></span></a><span style="color: #141823;">. Through the difficult journey of r</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #141823; display: inline;">esearch and writing a book, while juggling retail; it brought me back to what I love the most - writing. With the "refurbishing" of my blog, I decided to extend it beyond just Walla Walla wines. It's tough not to share the experiences of a cool crisp French Rosé from Provence, or an earthy Pinot Noir from Oregon. The wine blog may look a bit idle the last few weeks, but it still has several stories on the back burner to write about - Blau Frankisch (Lemberger) and Cabernet Francs of the Finger Lake region, many wines from Oregon, 2014 French Rosés, and even a recent tasting last week at Red Mountain AVA.</span></span></div>
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As much as I love writing about wine, I have seen changes in the wine blogging world. I have never placed scores on wines, I like to write about the experiences at the wineries, the people of the wineries, and of course, the wine itself - the components, the essence, and food pairings. As pointed as this may sound, the new winemakers who use to seek me out, doesn't </div>
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need me to write about them, anymore. The local tourism and wine boards use to come to me to help promote, and now I have to remind them I still exist. It's another reason for expanding. And that's okay - things change. I assume, it is never personal. It's business. Basically many of "us" started together - - we all started when Walla Walla was still a dot on the map. I believe to this day - - I am the longest running wine blog, or at least woman wine blogger, in Washington State.<br />
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<span style="color: #141823;">I have found myself, with the love of writing, feeling I need to write more - more than just wine. I wanted to make it personal and share the simple things that I love in life, from books, old classic movies, cooking, gardening roses, corny quotes, and just pretty, yet simple, things. Therefore I started </span><a href="http://www.passementaries.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="cursor: pointer;">Passementaries</span> </b></span></a><span style="color: #141823;">- a new blog.</span></div>
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Can the W5 juggle two blogs at once? I believe "she" can. Thank you fans and friends for taking the time to read my words on my blog, book, magazine articles, and even my ramblings on my Facebook pages. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Stay tuned. There will be more to come.</span></div>
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"Smoochies!"</div>
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C~</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-42789700209052154362015-05-14T08:12:00.000-07:002015-05-14T09:39:12.685-07:00Small Vineyards: The Gold Seal of Approval<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every spring, I look forward to the <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Small Vineyards (August Wine Group, LLC)</span></b> tasting for industry members. This year, I especially thank Michael and Mark, from Noble Wines, LTD and Susie Curnuette of the August Wine Group, LLC for allowing me sit in, sample, and enjoy the afternoon learning about the new vintages from Italy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">August Wine Group, LLC</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is a wine company that specializes in importing high-quality wines of distinct character from Italy, and other regions along the Mediterranean. They especially support small environmentally-responsible growers from both traditional and new wine regions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What I enjoy, just as much as the tasting of the wines, are the stories that are shared about the history, locations, and the people who produce these very special wines. The Small Vineyards project is proud of their connections with their small batch wines they have procured from family-owned wine estates. Therefore, every Small Vineyards' bottle of wine (and even their olive oil) that is imported will carry a gold seal. The label is worth looking for, as you can be assured of high-quality, yet affordable wines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How small is small from Small Vineyards, you ask? About 99% of the grapes are picked by human hand, the estates use sustainable growing methods, and most of all; the estates are owned by families - no large corporations. Small Vineyards estates are among the smallest 10% in their region - - that is how "small" the wines are that carry the Small Vineyards "gold seal of approval." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our afternoon tasting consisted of 20 different wines - - from, not only Italy, but also from France (Provence), Croatia, and Slovenia. We tasted the "usual suspects" such as Sangiovese, Montepulicano, Nebbiolo, Aglianico, Vermentino, and even a Prosecco - and all enjoyable, especially with food. Since there were so many wines, I won't go over each and every one, but highlight a few favorites and more unique ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some of the surprises were two sparklers from the </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monte Tondo</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> estate produced from the Garganega grape. This white </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Italian wine grape is widely grown in the Soave region in north-eastern Italy - - and two of only six Soave sparklers produced in the region. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Gasevina (Welschriesling) was a new grape of the day for me. This white wine grape is not related to the R</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">hine Riesling, as you would think. However, in Croatia it is the most planted white grape variety. The nose resembled a traditional Riesling, but the color and palate reminded me of a Semillon with the bright yellow hay color; and apple and stone fruit flavors. This wine was produced by the award-winning <b>Krauthaker Vineyards and Winery</b> in Kutjevo, Croatia. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Produced by Salvatore Lovo, of <b>Lovo Wines</b>, is Colli Euganel Fior d'Arancio (orange blossoms). This</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> white grape, Fior d'Arancio, is known for its aroma of orange blossoms. I believe in the USA it is the same - Orange Muscat. Lovo produced this sparkling wine, with small refined bubbles, in a frizzante style. A tangerine nose with a creamy and orange palate is perfect for "porch sippin'," salty tapas, or save it for dessert. It reminded me of a orange creamsicle. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHWFNdyiBdk/VVQHCun3ELI/AAAAAAAAEHc/pTbU00m3_B8/s1600/photo%2B(36).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHWFNdyiBdk/VVQHCun3ELI/AAAAAAAAEHc/pTbU00m3_B8/s320/photo%2B(36).JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">A popular wine for many, yet still obscure for many, was the Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia - - </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Giocato</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">. This indeed was a wine I was very familiar with. Giocato is a popular label to many with the cat on the label. The wines are affordable and a great value for the quality. This white wine had all of the traditional notes that I enjoy in a Sauvignon Blanc, from the grassy nose, with hints of mineral and stone fruit on the palate. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Nadia </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Curto</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> is the Italian wine woman amongst the men, therefore comes from a long lineage of male winemakers in her family. "La Fola" Barolo from </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Curto Wines </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">was</span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">produced in</span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">La Morra located in the Piedmont region. This 100% Nebbiolo was what I would refer to as a "feminine" wine, as in "pretty," - - if I was to describe it in one word. The tannins were a bit on the "puckerish" side, yet juicy and smooth. Earthy dark fruits, and even a hint of roses in the finish. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Also, from </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Lovo Wines</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"> was a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Veneto region. It wasn't just any Cabernet, but one that had been produced through carbonic masceration. As expected it was fresh, bright, fruity, and low in tannins. Truly a food wine, especially in the summer time. You could even put a light chill on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"><b>Palama Arcangelo Rosato</b> has the distinction for being one of the top rosatos in Italy. This bright red rose is produced from 100% Negroamaro. The nose bursts with strawberries and bright and juicy acids on the palate. Our restaurant host was the popular Bacon & Eggs in Walla Walla. They prepared beautiful serving plates of assorted cheeses, charcuterie, and fruits. There was also bruschetta with an assortment of toppings. I made a discovery that this lovely Rosato was not only a perfect pairing with the cured meats, but also the bruschetta that was served with the thyme and mushroom topping. If you can find this wine - - it needs to be on your Thanksgiving table, and especially served with the sage and thyme dressing. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpKUWC9v01A/VVQHRHvdo2I/AAAAAAAAEHk/ROGmY9BwO7E/s1600/photo%2B(37).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpKUWC9v01A/VVQHRHvdo2I/AAAAAAAAEHk/ROGmY9BwO7E/s320/photo%2B(37).JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">Last but not least, and on purpose, is the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><b>Maison Fabre</b>, Cotes de Provence </span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Serpolet Rose. "</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Serpolet" in French means "Thyme," which of course grows abundantly around the vineyards in Provence region of France - - of course, even the curvy bottle expresses notes of Provence with the periwinkle blue-colored foil and label reminiscence of summer window shutters in Provence. The nose of the pretty pale pink wine was of cotton candy and the burnt crackling sugar found on a creme brulee. On the palate there was strawberries, citrus, and with a finish of light herbs - - such as thyme. It was everything I want in a French rose and it indeed made me very happy. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The wines from Small Vineyards are ordered once a year and imported into the USA. Once again, I cannot stress how affordable they are for the quality. However, it's important to know that once they are gone - - they are gone, until next year. <i>Salute! </i></span></span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13670249.post-38238377882933203782015-05-13T09:36:00.001-07:002015-05-13T09:36:59.444-07:00Passementaries ... <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is Passementaries? It's my newest journal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh no, I am not forsaking this Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman blog. She will be celebrating 10 year anniversary next month, and I will continue to write about my wine experiences and opinions. I am just mixing things up a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://passementaries.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Passementaries</b></span></a> is about the<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 20px;"> simple trimmings for an elegant life ... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 20px;">I'll even talk a little bit about wine. Please join me. </span></span></span><br />
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