Beyond the Bottletag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://12008-10-05T03:31:50ZThe who, what and where of Washington and Oregon wine.Movable Type 3.2ysb5-20051201LA Times profiles Oregon's Willamette Valleytag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2152008-10-05T02:52:46Z2008-10-05T03:31:50ZAn article entitled, "Oregon's lush Willamette Valley offers a vintners' bounty", was featured in yesterday's LA Times. The article highlights about twenty wineries to visit in the valley along with a video feature on equestrian vineyard tours and a slide show of photos from the area. Combining the article with digital media is a good way to showcase the area. The piece was written by Patrick Comiskey, senior editor for Wine & Spirits magazine, who regularly covers the Oregon and Washington wine scene. Along with a recent spread in The Seattle Times, this article should offer useful guidance for anyone...Thad W.
An article entitled, "Oregon's lush Willamette Valley offers a vintners' bounty", was featured in yesterday's LA Times. The article highlights about twenty wineries to visit in the valley along with a video feature on equestrian vineyard tours and a slide show of photos from the area. Combining the article with digital media is a good way to showcase the area. The piece was written by Patrick Comiskey, senior editor for Wine & Spirits magazine, who regularly covers the Oregon and Washington wine scene. Along with a recent spread in The Seattle Times, this article should offer useful guidance for anyone...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/10/la_times_oregon_willamette_valley_wine.htmlFiresteed 2006 Pinot Noir Oregontag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2142008-10-04T20:53:21Z2008-10-04T23:35:52Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) In this economy, there's nothing better than finding a good, inexpensive bottle of Oregon pinot noir, a wine you can enjoy on a regular basis without having to worry about breaking the budget. Such is the case with the Firesteed 2006 Pinot Noir Oregon, which I picked up at Metropolitan Market recently for an affordable $15. We paired the Firesteed with a meal of roast chicken breasts with garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and paprika served with a Greek yogurt sauce. It was yet another spectacular dish Kari crafted in our red French oven, a...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) In this economy, there's nothing better than finding a good, inexpensive bottle of Oregon pinot noir, a wine you can enjoy on a regular basis without having to worry about breaking the budget. Such is the case with the Firesteed 2006 Pinot Noir Oregon, which I picked up at Metropolitan Market recently for an affordable $15. We paired the Firesteed with a meal of roast chicken breasts with garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and paprika served with a Greek yogurt sauce. It was yet another spectacular dish Kari crafted in our red French oven, a...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/10/firesteed_2006_pinot_noir_oreg.htmlFinding 'Hoodinvilletag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2122008-10-01T16:39:36Z2008-10-01T17:23:52Z In The Seattle Times today, Paul Gregutt profiles a number of Woodinville wineries getting their start in an often overlooked industrial section of town, which locals refer to as " 'Hoodinville". Gregutt's article, Grapes and Grit in Woodinville helps reveal a dozen or more 'Hoodinville wineries that are worth checking out on your next visit to the area. I had the opportunity to visit a few of these wineries last Fall, making stops at Covington Cellars and Chatter Creek Winery. Whatever these wineries lack in terms of setting, they make up for in providing generous hospitality and some really...Thad W.
In The Seattle Times today, Paul Gregutt profiles a number of Woodinville wineries getting their start in an often overlooked industrial section of town, which locals refer to as " 'Hoodinville". Gregutt's article, Grapes and Grit in Woodinville helps reveal a dozen or more 'Hoodinville wineries that are worth checking out on your next visit to the area. I had the opportunity to visit a few of these wineries last Fall, making stops at Covington Cellars and Chatter Creek Winery. Whatever these wineries lack in terms of setting, they make up for in providing generous hospitality and some really...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/10/finding_hoodinville.htmlAdelsheim 2006 Pinot Noirtag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2112008-09-30T04:25:27Z2008-10-04T20:52:50Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Third time is a charm, as they say, for it took bottle number three for me to finally blog about the Adelsheim 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. The first two bottles I enjoyed while dining out, with the most recent bottle with dinner at home which I bought at retail for $30. On each occasion, this wine paired well with the various meals we had and was enjoyed by all who drank it. On the eyes, the Adelsheim pinot (13.8%) was a light, raspberry color. On the nose, there were hints of earth...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Third time is a charm, as they say, for it took bottle number three for me to finally blog about the Adelsheim 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. The first two bottles I enjoyed while dining out, with the most recent bottle with dinner at home which I bought at retail for $30. On each occasion, this wine paired well with the various meals we had and was enjoyed by all who drank it. On the eyes, the Adelsheim pinot (13.8%) was a light, raspberry color. On the nose, there were hints of earth...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/adelsheim_2006_pinot_noir.htmlMontinore 2006 Estate Reserve Pinot Noirtag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2052008-09-28T16:17:57Z2008-10-05T02:37:01Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) While shopping for wine a couple of weeks back, I discovered a bottle of Montinore Estate pinot noir, a producer I recognized but for the life of me could not recall why. It wasn't until I did some research online and remembered this was an Oregon winery that received quite a bit of press when it was for sale several years ago for $5 million. Rudy Marchesi, who was president of the winery when it was being sold, assumed ownership of Montinore Estate in 2006. The original estate had its founding in the...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) While shopping for wine a couple of weeks back, I discovered a bottle of Montinore Estate pinot noir, a producer I recognized but for the life of me could not recall why. It wasn't until I did some research online and remembered this was an Oregon winery that received quite a bit of press when it was for sale several years ago for $5 million. Rudy Marchesi, who was president of the winery when it was being sold, assumed ownership of Montinore Estate in 2006. The original estate had its founding in the...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/montinore_2006_estate_reserve.htmlTrust Cellars 2006 Rieslingtag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2102008-09-26T04:25:02Z2008-09-30T04:10:12Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night, Kari and I enjoyed a wonderful bottle of Trust Cellars 2006 Riesling Columbia Valley with a spicy Korean style barbecue dinner. What a terrific wine to pair with our meal. It even went well with the apple crisp dessert Kari and my daughters made that same day with fresh Washington state Honey Crisp apples. In fact, if it weren't for having to put our daughters to bed, we would have sat at the table and enjoyed the entire bottle. On the eyes, the Trust riesling was a clear, light golden yellow....Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night, Kari and I enjoyed a wonderful bottle of Trust Cellars 2006 Riesling Columbia Valley with a spicy Korean style barbecue dinner. What a terrific wine to pair with our meal. It even went well with the apple crisp dessert Kari and my daughters made that same day with fresh Washington state Honey Crisp apples. In fact, if it weren't for having to put our daughters to bed, we would have sat at the table and enjoyed the entire bottle. On the eyes, the Trust riesling was a clear, light golden yellow....
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/trust_cellars_2006_riesling.htmlWashington Wine Country Getaways in Seattle Magazinetag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2092008-09-24T04:58:43Z2008-09-24T16:57:26Z The October issue of Seattle Magazine has a cover feature on Washington wine country getaways. The spread offers commentary on wineries to visit, places to stay, and where to dine in the Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, and Spokane areas. It is a magazine worth picking up if you're planning a visit to eastern Washington this Fall. In addition, I encourage you to review the Washington wineries BeyondtheBottle.com has visited over the last year: aMaurice Cellars Amavi Cellars Ash Hollow Basel Cellars Brian Carter Cellars Chatter Creek Covington Cellars Dama Wines Fort Walla Walla Cellars Isenhower Cellars L'Ecole No...Thad W.
The October issue of Seattle Magazine has a cover feature on Washington wine country getaways. The spread offers commentary on wineries to visit, places to stay, and where to dine in the Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, and Spokane areas. It is a magazine worth picking up if you're planning a visit to eastern Washington this Fall. In addition, I encourage you to review the Washington wineries BeyondtheBottle.com has visited over the last year: aMaurice Cellars Amavi Cellars Ash Hollow Basel Cellars Brian Carter Cellars Chatter Creek Covington Cellars Dama Wines Fort Walla Walla Cellars Isenhower Cellars L'Ecole No...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/washington_wine_country_seattle_magazine.htmlReininger 2002 Syrah Walla Walla Valleytag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2082008-09-23T04:11:14Z2008-09-30T04:13:11Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although the weather in Seattle these last few days suggested Fall had already arrived, it wasn't until today that the season officially started. It didn't take an equinox to get me in the mood for heartier food and wines, for the cold and rainy weekend weather had already prepared us for some Fall meals. So it was fitting on this official start of Fall that Kari prepared a rich dish of Italian sausage and tomatoes on top of a bowl of soft polenta. Along with the main course, Kari made a fennel and...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although the weather in Seattle these last few days suggested Fall had already arrived, it wasn't until today that the season officially started. It didn't take an equinox to get me in the mood for heartier food and wines, for the cold and rainy weekend weather had already prepared us for some Fall meals. So it was fitting on this official start of Fall that Kari prepared a rich dish of Italian sausage and tomatoes on top of a bowl of soft polenta. Along with the main course, Kari made a fennel and...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/reininger_2002_syrah_walla_walla.htmlLooking for an inexpensive Oregon pinot noir?tag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2072008-09-22T15:13:37Z2008-09-22T14:16:36ZIf you're looking for a bottle of Oregon pinot noir at $20 and under, then a good place to start is a list of the state's largest producers. The Oregon Wine Press offers such a list, stack ranking the top twenty wineries based on total case production. Here are the top 10 brands in Oregon, with each of these wineries producing in excess of 50,000 cases each year, with the top four exceeding 100,000 cases: 1. A to Z Wineworks/Rex Hill Vineyards 2. King Estate Winery 3. Willamette Valley Vineyards 4. Erath Winery 5. Sokol Blosser Winery 6. Firesteed Wines...Thad W.
If you're looking for a bottle of Oregon pinot noir at $20 and under, then a good place to start is a list of the state's largest producers. The Oregon Wine Press offers such a list, stack ranking the top twenty wineries based on total case production. Here are the top 10 brands in Oregon, with each of these wineries producing in excess of 50,000 cases each year, with the top four exceeding 100,000 cases: 1. A to Z Wineworks/Rex Hill Vineyards 2. King Estate Winery 3. Willamette Valley Vineyards 4. Erath Winery 5. Sokol Blosser Winery 6. Firesteed Wines...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/inexpensive_oregon_pinot_noir.htmlOregon Wine Country in The Seattle Timestag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2062008-09-22T03:39:27Z2008-09-22T04:00:39ZThe north Willamette Valley received a big spread in today's Travel section of The Seattle Times. Carli Pucci documents her experience in "Oregon wine country, one sip at a time", which includes visits to the Torii Moor, Domaine Drouhin, Anne Amie, Amity, and Maysara wineries. It was interesting that Pucci expounds on all of her winery visits, with the exception of Anne Amie. I wonder why she chose not to detail that experience, while diving deep on the other visits. Regardless, the article offers some highlights of places to stay, dine at, or see using McMinnville as your base. It's...Thad W.
The north Willamette Valley received a big spread in today's Travel section of The Seattle Times. Carli Pucci documents her experience in "Oregon wine country, one sip at a time", which includes visits to the Torii Moor, Domaine Drouhin, Anne Amie, Amity, and Maysara wineries. It was interesting that Pucci expounds on all of her winery visits, with the exception of Anne Amie. I wonder why she chose not to detail that experience, while diving deep on the other visits. Regardless, the article offers some highlights of places to stay, dine at, or see using McMinnville as your base. It's...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/oregon_wine_country_seattle_times.htmlRulo 2007 Sauvignon Blanctag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2042008-09-19T05:04:22Z2008-10-04T20:49:34Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It is amazing how some folks can invest so much of themselves into making good wine, yet do the bare minimum to connect their customers to the people and places behind their craft. For example, there are times when little detail about a wine is offered on the bottle's label. And then there are instances when even less information is provided online at the producer's web site. Granted making wine is an incredibly time consuming process, yet it seems a shame that for all of the energy invested, the only testament to this...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It is amazing how some folks can invest so much of themselves into making good wine, yet do the bare minimum to connect their customers to the people and places behind their craft. For example, there are times when little detail about a wine is offered on the bottle's label. And then there are instances when even less information is provided online at the producer's web site. Granted making wine is an incredibly time consuming process, yet it seems a shame that for all of the energy invested, the only testament to this...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/rulo_2007_sauvignon_blanc.htmlA Closer Look at Seattle Metropolitan's 100 Best Winestag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2032008-09-17T04:50:11Z2008-09-17T05:40:56Z In the September edition of Seattle Metropolitan magazine, there is a cover story featuring the "100 Best Wines of the Northwest". Being a data junkie, I thought it might be useful to conduct an analysis of this list of 100 recommended wines to see what resulted. Before getting to the findings, it is worth sharing the approach Seattle Met took in determining this list of favorites. Here is how the magazine described the methodology: "With 943 wineries in Oregon and Washington, how did Seattle Met pick the best 100 bottles? We enlisted Jacksonville, Oregon-based wine expert Conde Cox, who...Thad W.
In the September edition of Seattle Metropolitan magazine, there is a cover story featuring the "100 Best Wines of the Northwest". Being a data junkie, I thought it might be useful to conduct an analysis of this list of 100 recommended wines to see what resulted. Before getting to the findings, it is worth sharing the approach Seattle Met took in determining this list of favorites. Here is how the magazine described the methodology: "With 943 wineries in Oregon and Washington, how did Seattle Met pick the best 100 bottles? We enlisted Jacksonville, Oregon-based wine expert Conde Cox, who...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/seattle_metropolitan_100_best_wines.htmlTorii Mor 2006 Pinot Noirtag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2022008-09-14T20:27:49Z2008-09-15T00:04:24Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With its Japanese inspired name and label, it wouldn't surprise me if some might mistake this bottle of Torii Mor for sake. On the outside, Torii Mor might suggest rice wine, but on the inside this is pinot noir, and a good wine at that. Torii Mor, located in Dundee, was founded in 1993 by Donald Olson, MD, to focus on producing wine from fruit grown on the Olson Estate Vineyard. He acquired and renamed this site in 1985 - it was formerly known as the McDaniel Vineyard, which was planted in 1972,...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With its Japanese inspired name and label, it wouldn't surprise me if some might mistake this bottle of Torii Mor for sake. On the outside, Torii Mor might suggest rice wine, but on the inside this is pinot noir, and a good wine at that. Torii Mor, located in Dundee, was founded in 1993 by Donald Olson, MD, to focus on producing wine from fruit grown on the Olson Estate Vineyard. He acquired and renamed this site in 1985 - it was formerly known as the McDaniel Vineyard, which was planted in 1972,...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/torii_mor_2006_pinot_noir.htmlWillaKenzie Estate 2006 Pinot Noirtag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.2012008-09-13T23:18:51Z2008-09-14T14:42:24Z What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although this WillaKenzie wine may not be my style in pinot noir, the WillaKenzie winery is my kind of producer. Why? It's all because of what they do online. WillaKenzie Estate has one of the best designed homepages of any winery I have visited to date. On that single page, I connected to the wines, vineyards, and practices of this producer in ways unlike any other winery. Here is what you can learn using the interactive Flash elements on this homepage: &bull a bird's eye view pinpointing each vineyard location and the wine...Thad W.
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although this WillaKenzie wine may not be my style in pinot noir, the WillaKenzie winery is my kind of producer. Why? It's all because of what they do online. WillaKenzie Estate has one of the best designed homepages of any winery I have visited to date. On that single page, I connected to the wines, vineyards, and practices of this producer in ways unlike any other winery. Here is what you can learn using the interactive Flash elements on this homepage: &bull a bird's eye view pinpointing each vineyard location and the wine...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/willakenzie_2006_pinot_noir.htmlPortalis Wine Bartag:beyondthebottle.com,2008://1.1992008-09-11T04:12:59Z2008-09-11T21:15:24Z I have shopped for wine at Portalis during the day, but had yet to come in on an evening when I could try out the wine bar side of this Ballard establishment. Tonight was such an opportunity, where I was joined by a friend for a very enjoyable food and wine experience. Portalis offers a great space to either shop for wine, enjoy a glass at the bar, or sit down at a table for something to eat. We arrived at around 6 pm with the place about half full, but by the time we left every seat was...Thad W.
I have shopped for wine at Portalis during the day, but had yet to come in on an evening when I could try out the wine bar side of this Ballard establishment. Tonight was such an opportunity, where I was joined by a friend for a very enjoyable food and wine experience. Portalis offers a great space to either shop for wine, enjoy a glass at the bar, or sit down at a table for something to eat. We arrived at around 6 pm with the place about half full, but by the time we left every seat was...
http://beyondthebottle.com/blog/2008/09/portalis_wine_bar_1.html