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Biography |
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Home > People
> Amy Grape |
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Amy Grape
Contributor, WineSquire.com
Amy grew up in the "Palm Springs of
Washington," the agricultural based town of Yakima,
Washington. She learned the excellence of customer service
at Nordstrom's, earning many customer achievement awards during
her eight year career there. In 1996, Amy decided to tackle the
wine industry, and is currently the Western Washington District
Manager for Allied Domecq Wines USA.
Amy has received several "Salesperson of the Month" awards and
has been recognized for her achievements and passion for wine.
Amy makes annual visits to California's major wine
appellations, such as Napa Valley and Sonoma, and many more visits
to Washington's Columbia Valley to further educate herself on the
ever-changing world of wine.
Amy recently took a trip to New Zealand, starting at the very
tip of the North Island in Auckland, making her way down through
the North Island into the South Island to the wine capital of the
country--Beautiful Marlborough...where in her opinion, some of the
greatest Sauvignon Blancs in the world are produced. Finally,
making her way to the most Southern part of the South Island to
enjoy both the wineries she represents and also competitive
wineries, to further her education and knowledge on the ever
growing regions of New Zealand.
Amy enjoys the Seattle wine industry. "Living in Seattle
where art, food and wine have become a way of life makes being a
part of the wine industry that much more rewarding!"
Amy has most recently accomplished one of her goals, and has
successfully completed and passed the First Level of the Court of
Master Sommeliers examination on March 2, 2005.
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Personal
Picks |
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Haywood Chardonnay 2002 (California) $7
A great value for under 10 bucks…Haywood Estates was founded in
1980 and produces wonderful wines worth trying out, Haywood is
mostly known for their limited production vineyard designated
Zinfandels. Lots of bright tropical fruit, bananas and honey with
just enough oak to add the perfect balance in this absolutely
wonderful wine.
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Clos du Bois Chardonnay Reserve 2003 (California) $35
I am inclined to write about the wonderful white wines of
California right now with the weather holding up on these
beautiful days. This is absolutely the perfect expression of
Russian River fruit. Erik Olsen is the winemaker, previously the
winemaker at Chat. Ste. Michelle. Located in Sonoma County, the
Russian River Valley produces Chardonnay and Pinot with
exceptional quality, and a beautiful expression of fruit. 100%
Chardonnay, aged in French oak to add to the richness of this
wine. Russian River allows for some of the best fruit to grow in
California, straw in color, with a beautiful bouquet of fresh
apples, vanilla and peach flavors on the nose and palate...a very
full bodied, lush, creamy, easy drinking Chardonnay, with just the
right amount of acidity to pair with your favorite chicken dish,
or pasta with white sauce.
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EOS Petite Sirah 1999 (California) $22
The winery is located in the Paso Robles region of California,
know for its wonderful wines and the beautiful labels. The wine is
deep in color you won’t believe it when you see it. Extremely full
bodied, ripe berry and pepper flavors with a very smooth elegant
finish. “Elegance and Richness” is the only way to describe this
wine.
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EOS Zinfandel Port 1999 (California) $27
This is 100% Zinfandel, aged 24 months in American Oak and once it
was partially fermented they add brandy to give it the right
balance of acid, alcohol and sugar. and is guaranteed to be a
crowd pleaser. Very elegant and smooth on the palate. An amazing
combination of raspberry, blackberry and vanilla undertones. A
very rich port that exuberates richness, intensity and a very
flavorful long lasting finish. Enjoy this port with chocolate
cake, cheesecake or fresh chocolate covered strawberries dipped in
a chocolate glaze.
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Novella Synergy 1999 (California) $10
A delightful wine from Paso Robles. Paso Robles is very well known
for their cool springs and very hot summers. Therefore the grapes
are allowed to mature until their full ripeness. This is a blend
of 45% Zinfandel, 45% Sangiovese and 10 % Petite Sirah and so you
get the the richness and intensity from the Sangiovese grape, the
velvety smooth texture and just of chocolate, cherry and
blackcherry from the petite sirah grape which in essence creates
this beautiful wine that you must not miss out on. This would be
wonderful with lamb, stew or with a decadent chocolate cake.
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St. Francis Chardonnay 2000 (California) $11
St. Francis has a reputation for having some of the best wines out
of California, and this one will surely be a wonderful experience.
This Chardonnay has tropical fruit flavors, creamy toasty oak,
vanilla nuances, apple and lemon peel. Enjoy!
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Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir 1998 (California) $33
In addition to sparkling wines, Domaine Carneros has a fairly
limited quantity of the estate bottled Pinot Noir. A very elegant
lush Pinot Noir with friendly characteristics of jam, cherry and
plum flavors. A very lush and delightful wine!
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Kunde Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2000 (California) $14
This new vintage was just released and it is by far the best
vintage yet. For nearly 100 years four generations of Kunde have
farmed vineyards in the beautiful Sonoma Valley. This Sauvignon
Blanc is fresh, crisp and has the perfect acidity. A touch
herbaceous along with lemon grass with a hint of grapefruit are
great flavors of this wine. A perfect match for shellfish, fresh
halibut or just enjoy it all by itself.
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St. Supery Meritage 1996 (California) $49
What a wonderful Napa Valley wine! This Meritage (pronounced like
heritage) is a blend of three classic Bordeaux grapes: Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A wine with incredible depth
and complexity with just the right amount of tannins. This wine
displays deep dark rich garnet color with lots of fruit leather,
tobacco and dried rose aromas and flavors. This bottle of wine is
not only beautiful on the inside; it has a gorgeous label that
would be perfect for gift giving. Drink now through 2012.
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J Sparkling Wine (California) 1996 $30
All of the grapes that go into this wine are hand-harvested and
placed by hand into their Coquard champagne press for a gentle
pressing cycle. Champagne and sparkling wine is wonderful. It can
be presented for any occasion; not only is the quality in the
bottle but the packaging is absolutely stunning. The flavor is
elegant and smooth with a mouth full of tiny bubbles. This is a
type of soft flavor that would remind one of floral, apple butter
and lemon-lime. Clean and crisp on the palate, lingering with a
rich vanilla finish. An excellent wine with grilled fish, clams,
veal or your favorite dessert.
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J Pinot Noir 1997 (California) $18
Ripe and lush is what comes to mind when enjoying this wine. This
particular vineyard is planted on a hillside overlooking the
middle part of the Russian River Valley. This wine displays a
beautiful garnet color with aromas of floral spice, tobacco and
dark black fruit. It contains a subtle hint of strawberries with
lots of dark raspberry, light floral spice and a touch of oak. A
perfect compliment when preparing duck, steak or roast.
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Bonterra Chardonnay 1999 (California) $11
This particular Chardonnay was aged in a combination of French and
American oak for eight months, is 100% Chardonnay and all of the
grapes were certified "organically grown". This
chardonnay displays bright citrus flavors with vanilla and ripe
pear. This wine is excellent with shellfish, roasted chicken and
halibut cheeks.
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Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rose Brut (France) $58
Laurent Perrier is the best selling Rose Champagne in the world.
The beautiful bottle is a flask that is a reproduction of those
used in the late 17th century. This is 100% Pinot Noir and all of
the grapes in the blend come exclusively from ten Grand Cru
Vineyards. A deep pink color with tiny bubbles and bright fresh
fruit with aromas of strawberries and black cherries make this
full-bodied Champagne a crowd pleaser.
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Rosemount "Hill of Gold"
1998 (Australia) $18
Introducing a new wine from Rosemount, it is another award winning
wine from Mudgee, Australia. This Cabernet Sauvignon is dark
purple with tons of character. A big, bold, meaty wine bursting
with plum, dark cherry and chocolate flavors. This beautiful
Cabernet Sauvignon is so silky, rich and very lush on the palate.
Great with lamb, pork chops, any style of beef and even your
favorite chocolate dessert.
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Kendall Jackson "Collage"
(California) $10
New wine from K.J., it is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and
40% Shiraz. This wine is aged in small oak barrels for about 11
months to enhance the wonderful smoky spicy flavors of the Shiraz.
Deep lush fruit and a silky finish. Enjoy!
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Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
(California) $34
A true hit over the holiday season, this large wine displays tons
of black frit rich in color and very concentrated. Black cherry
and chocolate are the prominent flavors. This wine is very smooth
in texture, lush flavor, and an all around wonderful finish.
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Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (California) $14
Looking for an inexpensive Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon? Look no
further than this wonderful cabernet, with full body bursting at
the seams with tons of ripe fruit, cassis, chocolate and vanilla.
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Cambria Reserve Chardonnay 1996 (California) $33
Located in the Santa Maria Valley, where the warm days and cool
evenings ripen the fruit to perfection. While the regular
Chardonnay from Cambria ($20) is great, the reserve is like
heaven! For the Reserve line, Cambria sets aside the best, most
intense fruit. A full-bodied, rich complex Chardonnay that will
tantalize every taste bud! A very creamy, buttery style, this
Chardonnay will compliment just about any meal or all by itself!
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Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 1999 (New Zealand) $11
New Zealand is very well known for producing internationally
renowned and award winning Sauvignon Blanc. This fruit forward
Sauvignon Blanc offers fresh, crisp citrus and pear flavors with
excellent balance and a creamy lingering finish. This wine is a
great accompaniment to grilled seafood, cheeses, and fresh salads.
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Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut NV (France) $37 Buy It!
This classic and elegant non-vintage French Champagne has had a
history of quality, consistency and award winning accolades. This
Champagne displays a pleasing soft mouthfeel, toasty oak, vanilla
and a creamy lush finish. Always a perfect pick! 
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Hogue Gewurztraminer 1999 (Washington) $7
A fabulous Washington wine under $10 that's sure to impress you.
Bright fruit with hints of spice, peach and pear matches well with
your holiday dinner. A perfect accompaniment to turkey, spicy
pork, fish or any type of Asian noodles!
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Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
(California) $36
This gem of a wine is one you certainly do not want to miss out
on. The Grand Reserve is the best of KJ and will be perfect now or
cellar to soften the tannins in years to come. A very rich, lush,
silky Cabernet that was impressive to me the second it hit my
palate. An award winning wine that displays tons of ripe black
cherry fruit, a touch of chocolate and vanilla, with a long
lasting rich finish that will be sure to impress you as well.
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