What a treat – we spent an afternoon with two exceptional Washington winemakers, John Bigelow of JM Cellars and Morgan Lee of Two Vintners Wines (et al) in April at their tasting rooms at The Vault in Maltby. Not surprisingly, their wines were exceptional and their stories kept us both intrigued and laughing at the same time. And we finally met Alice, Morgan’s sweet Black Lab, who has a stunning red wine named after her. We tasted that wine, along with several of Morgan’s mouthwatering Syrahs and his excellent Grenache Blanc, along with John’s stellar (and unreleased) Founder’s Reserve, and his amazing Grenache, Malbec, and two styles of Chardonnay. Read on for details.
Italian Sparklers
Consorzio Asti, established in 1932, protects and promotes the Italian sparklers from Moscato d’Asti DOCG and Asti Spumante DOCG. These are bubbles used for toasting around the world, and a pride of Italian viticulture and oenology. These sparkling wines come from Moscato Bianco grapes, a variety that grows in the green hills of Piedmont. The wines are slightly sweet and pair well with desserts. Or enjoy them on their own as an aperitivo or digestivo. Read on for details.
Whiskey Trail
If you love whiskey and are looking for something fun and different to do this summer, look no further. The Northwest Whiskey Trail features seven distilleries in British Columbia, Washington state and Oregon. Yes, it’s the first Whiskey Trail that crosses an international border. So pack your bags and start planning your visit to the world of single malt and potstill whiskey. Find out what makes these whiskeys so special — whether it’s the local barley, the peat, yeast strains, craft brewing and distilling methods, or the premium oak casks. If you visit all seven distilleries, a gift awaits you. Read on for details.
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Trio of Reds
These three 2017 reds from Barrage Cellars are long-time favorites: Cease and Desist Cabernet Franc, Double Barrel Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, and Blacklisted Merlot Yakima Valley. Barrage Cellars’ website calls the winery “Washington’s best-kept secret.” But we’ve always enjoyed Kevin Correll’s stellar wines. Moreover, over the years, we noticed that they simply get better and better with each vintage. This trio of reds continues the tradition. Read on for details.