by Guest writer Jeff Graham
One of the special things about Taste Washington is the
opportunity to explore many different wines from many different
wineries in one location. This is the wine tour that comes to the
consumer — and there’s plenty offered for consumption.
A few years ago, Taste Washington was a one-day event. It ran
longer, so single-day attendees had the chance to do a little more
tasting, but CenturyLink’s events center often became bloated in
the final hours as the crowds made their way toward the finish
line.
Now a two-day endeavor, Taste Washington is still a well-attended
event, but attendees no longer need to elbow around each other to
get to the tables of their choice. This year’s event seemed …
comfortable. There appeared to be more food available (70-plus
restaurants/eateries represented) than in previous years. And there
was still plenty of wine available (220-plus wineries in
attendance).
Media members and VIPs were given four hours to taste, and trust
me, the time flew by. My typical plan of attack is to seek out
roughly 20-25, seeking diversity of grape and price point. One
year, I went on a mission to taste Cab Franc from various wineries.
While a worthy endeavor, I probably missed out on some other fine
pours.
This year, I managed to reach 15 tables, and wasn’t disappointed
not to make it around to more. These were virtually all new wines.
My palate didn’t feel overwhelmed by day’s end.
I’d offer my stamp of approval to most of the wine tasted.
–Kyra Winery, for the price, might have been my big winner. Of
course, some of the first wine tasted at an event can appear to be
special, but the 2013 Chenin Blanc offers tremendous value for $15.
A 2011 Dolcetto and 2012 Sangiovese ($20 each) got thumbs up as
well.
–Whidbey Island Winery had a Rosato Sangiovese that rocked. I’m not
a huge fan of Rosé, and admit I haven’t had a ton of experience
with it, but this delivered in a fine way.
–W.T Vintners offered a Gruner Veltliner, the only one offered at
Taste Washington. Nice and dry, it was in hot demand.
–Stottle Winery from Lacey was one of the few tables offering
Nebbiolo and it was delicious. Appealing brickish color. A favorite
of the day.
–Robert Ramsay Cellars boasted reds tailored specifically for food
pairings, but I found their wines plenty drinkable as stand alones.
A 2011 Par La Mer Red Rhone Blend ($25) is ready to enjoy. Their
Old Vine Cab made a strong impression as well.
–Laurelhurst Cellars didn’t advertise its 2012 Late Harvest
Viognier Roussane, but it’s a winner through and through. Find some
if you can.
–Facelli Winery had a 2012 Chardonnay that made quite an
impression. Not overly buttery or oaky, but expressive on the
finish. For someone who doesn’t drink Chardonnay much, it
delivered. On my next Woodinville excursion, Facelli is on the
list.
Hope everyone who attended Taste Washington enjoyed their time as
much as I did. Spring releases are on their way, so the tasting is
just beginning!
