Washington Wines on a Roll
By Jens Strecker of
Portalis Wines
Washington wines are gaining popularity as they
become more recognized for their superb quality and the unique
flavors that come from Washington’s fine vineyards.
The state currently has
five AVAs (American Viticultural Areas): Columbia Valley, Walla
Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain (the newest) and Puget
Sound. Washington’s wine production is the second highest in the
nation following California. Washington’s wine region is at the 46˚
latitude which means the grapes get on average more daily sunlight
(about two hours) than California. This allows for a longer ripening
process for the grapes. The temperatures are warm throughout the day
and cool at night, which results in high natural acidity and
concentrated fruit. All of this results in full-bodied, richly
flavored, well-balanced wines.
Washington State produces fifteen different varietals. The most
frequently grown red wine varietals are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Syrah. The most common white wine varietals are Chardonnay,
Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
The trademark qualities of Washington Cabs and Merlots are that
they tend to be more full-bodied, less tannic and have a higher
alcohol content than the same grapes from the Bordeaux region and
are higher in acidity than the same varietals from California.
Over the last twenty years, the growth of the wine industry in
Washington State has been phenomenal. From 1980 to 2003 the number
of wineries increased from approximately twenty to over 240 and 300
wine grape growers, resulting in a wine production growth of 17
million gallons in 2002. The future looks positive for Washington
wines, with continuing growth in national and international markets.
Washington State wineries focus on the premium wine market, as do
other regions such as Napa Valley and New Zealand. Due to the high
quality of their wine combined with limited production, several
Washington wineries have approached a sort of cult status, including
Leonetti Cellars, Andrew Will Winery, DeLille Cellars, Quiceda Creek
Vintners, Pepperbridge Winery and others. The following
recommendations are in this genre.
Recommendations:
DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc 2002 - $33
Aromas of ripe citrus, apples, cream and toasted cloves. Lush
flavors of citrus and mandarin orange. Clean, fresh acidity and good
structure.
DeLille Cellars D2 2001 - $36.50
Concentrated plum and blackberry aromas with black pepper and
cassis. Soft tannins and a nice lingering finish.
Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series 2000 - $45
Powerful scent of brash berries, cassis and smoky oak. Still young
and relatively tight. Give it some time and enjoy.
Wind River Cellars Syrah 2002 - $19.50
Smoky, dark, tannic and spicy, this inky-dark Syrah is packed with
flavors of sweet cherries and roasted coffee, and has a Port-like
structure.
Pepperbridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 - $54
Lovely coffee- and floral-scented currant and cherry flavors,
finishing with a touch of smoke and cedar. One of the most elegant
Washington Cabs you can get.
For more information, visit us at Portalis Wine Shop + Wine Bar
located at 5310 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 or check out our
website at
www.portaliswines.com.
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