Taste Washington is coming up quickly; just a little more than a month away. Besides the tasting room, where you can try so many wonderful Washington state wines, and food from local restaurants, there are also seminars you can attend.
There are 4 seminars on Saturday and 3 seminars on Sunday. The seminars run at the same time, from 11am till 12:30pm, and each are on a different topic. Below are the seminars for both days. To me, I’m interested in the Washington vs the World, and the The Art of Blending. The former is interesting as I like to hear wine makers talk about their terroir and how it influences their wines, and compares to other wineries around the world with similar terroir. For the latter, I think understanding how a wine maker determines how much of a grape variety to add to a blend and when the blend is just right is very interesting. I had a chance to do this a little bit with Don Corson from Camaraderie Cellars in Port Angeles, WA, and I’m eager to learn more.
The best deal below is of course the RIEDEL glass seminar as you walk away from the seminar with a set of RIEDEL glasses. Please Share this on Facebook with your friends. Enjoy!
Saturday Seminars
Washington vs. The World!
Come meet three of the pioneer winemakers of the Washington wine industry: Alex Golitzin of Quilceda Creek, Master of Wine Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery, and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon, along with second generation winemaker, Chris Figgins, from the first world class Washington winery, Leonetti Cellar, and Chris Peterson of Avennia, a brand new upstart winery making a big splash in the wine world. All five will be pouring and discussing their wines in a Washington vs. The World smack down with some of the finest wines from around the globe.
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Intro to the World of Wine
The world of wine is many things – complex, fascinating, overwhelming, fun, intimidating, inviting, scary, interesting, passionate, big, small, and many more adjectives that are all over the map. This seminar will help you build a solid foundation of understanding of the world of wine, and Washington’s unique place within it. What makes this such a special place to grow grapes and make wine? What varieties excel here, and why? What are the major grape growing regions and what makes them all unique? Learn about these issues, and more, in a fun, inviting session for wine lovers who are just discovering this great industry.
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Cure what Ales Ya!
Join Master Beer Sommelier Mike Kelley as he guides you through a tasting with world class craft beers. More details coming soon.
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RIEDEL Glass Tasting
RIEDEL Crystal of America proudly present: A Unique and Fascinating Wine Seminar with Joel Simon.
In a unique and fascinating wine glass tasting, Joel Simon, Northwest Regional Manager for RIEDEL Crystal of America will demonstrate the relationship between the shape of a glass and our perception and enjoyment of wines.
Tasting will also include a chocolate and wine tasting, featuring Lindt EXCELLENCE, which will bring more depth and discovery to the wine drinking experience.
Seminar includes a 3 piece Vinum XL Red Wine Tasting Set (retail value $98.50).
Sunday Seminars
All Mixed Up – The Art of Blending
Blends are one of the hottest categories on the market. What’s all the buzz about? Why are consumers embracing this category so enthusiastically? Why and how do winemakers blend their wines? What grapes play well together, and which one aren’t allowed in the sand box together? At this seminar you will learn from some of Washington’s masters as they pull back the curtain on the blending room and reveal the secrets behind the art of blending.
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Yakima Valley 30th Anniversary
The Yakima Valley is Washington’s first American Viticultural Area, approved 30 years ago in 1983. It’s also steeped in the early history of the Washington wine industry. Some of the state’s first European wine grapes were planted in Sunnyside by William B. Bridgman in 1917. The legendary Dr. Walter Clore came to the Yakima Valley soon after Prohibition was repealed and began planting grapes in the ’50s and ’60s to show Washington’s viability as a world-class wine region. Today, some of Washington’s greatest vineyards — Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, Boushey, Red Willow and DuBrul among them — are in the Yakima Valley. In this seminar, we will explore the Yakima Valley’s fascinating history and diverse viticulture
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Join the Cider Revolution
The Northwest is quickly becoming a cider powerhouse, with new cidermakers popping up weekly, crafting their range of obscure to familiar apples into delicious fine ciders. Why? Join us to learn what all the excitement is about. In this seminar you’ll hear the history of U.S. cider, taste some Northwest innovations, and enjoy artisan cider and cheese pairings from a panel of Washington cidermakers and Jill Lightner, Editor of Edible Seattle. Find out why hard cider is the fastest growing segment in the U.S. beverage industry and what role the Pacific Northwest will play in its growth.
