Taste Washington, held at CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle, is a great place to be exposed to the wide range of wonderful wines produced in the State. From my quick count, there will be over 210 wineries, pouring your their wines for the Grand Tasting, which is held the afternoons of March 28 and 29. While some of you may have attended walk-about wine tastings, where you hold out your glass and get a sample of wine, this event has winery principals and/or the actual wine makers at their table. This is very exciting, at least for me, as you can talk to the wine maker about a particular wine, or vintage; and talk to the winery owners to find out how they decided to get into the wine making business and their recommendations to you.
On top of the chatting with winery principals, and drinking great wine, you also have some of Seattle’s finest restaurants serving up bite-sized tasting plates for you to try with wine. Sometimes a wine that you may not like on it’s own, turns out to be an excellent food wine, but you can only find that out by trying, so try it! The full list of restaurants participating are at this link.
A few wineries that I am going to make sure I try are:
There are of course many more. My particular interests are in Italian & Spanish varietals, Syrah, and aromatic whites. You can Purchase Grand Tasting tickets at this link. My review of a past Taste Washington tasting.
Seminars
Besides the Grand Tastings, there are educational seminars you may want to participate.
Saturday Seminars
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Purchase Saturday seminar tickets
Washington vs. The World-2015 $89
Many of the most prized (and costly) wines of the world come from the esteemed region of Bordeaux, France. Here in Washington, we believe our Bordeaux-style blends can compete with the best in the world. But can they really? There’s only one way to find out: By blind tasting a selection of the state’s finest Bordeaux-blends against some of the best the world has to offer. How do Washington’s blends stack up? Come decide for yourself.
Moderator:
Doug Charles, Compass Wines
Panelists:
Appellation Spotlight: Columbia Gorge $48
Quickly becoming a prized region for progressive sommeliers and wine writers around the country, the Columbia Gorge is one of Washington’s most dynamic appellations, producing everything from cool climate pinot noir to heat-seeking zinfandel. How is the Gorge able to grow such a wide variety of grapes and why is there so much buzz around it? Come explore the Columbia Gorge, learn what makes this area so special and walk away in the know.
Moderator:
Matt Stamp, M.S.
Panelists:
The Chardonnay Revival $48
From Burgundy to California, and from Washington to Australia, chardonnay continues to capture the world’s attention. And with several new chardonnay-dedicated projects and an increasing number of winemakers focusing on the grape, Washington is firing on all cylinders and the state is in the midst of a glorious revival. What has winemakers so excited about Washington chardonnay? Come find out and learn what makes Washington chardonnay different and what the Evergreen state holds for the grape’s future.
Moderator:
Sean P. Sullivan
Sunday, March 29
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Purchase Sunday seminar tickets
Wine Tasting with the Masters $48
There are two designations in the wine world that get hands-down, immediate respect: that of the Master Sommelier and the Master of Wine. With miniscule pass rates and some of the most challenging tests in the world, the paths to earn a Master Sommelier and Master of Wine are both long and arduous. The result is some of the most skilled and knowledgeable wine professionals in the world. Come learn the secrets and techniques from the Masters themselves on how they taste wine, and what they believe distinguishes Washington wine from the rest of the world.
Moderator:
Greg Harrington, M.S.
Panelists:
Appellation Spotlight: Red Mountain $48 <a seminar I am really interested in attending>
Red Mountain has produced some of the most sought-after wines in Washington State and continues to deliver on a world-class level. Now in its 40th year growing wine grapes, this gem in the Columbia Valley is a hotbed for new plantings and viticultural exploration, drawing the attention of winemakers and investors from across the globe. Come discover what makes Red Mountain unique as a wine region and learn why so many growers and winemakers continue to be dazzled by the potential of this growing region.
Moderator:
Sean P. Sullivan
Panelists:
The Cider Renaissance $38
With stunning double-digit growth and unprecedented demand from consumers, cider has quickly become the fastest growing alcoholic beverage in the country, and Washington State is at the forefront of the movement. But in terms of history, this is the comeback of cider. For nearly 250 years, cider was truly America’s drink, and was produced by everyday citizens, as well as the Founding Fathers like George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. We will taste through examples from the world over and learn how Washington plays a pivotal role in pushing cider to the forefront of the beverage world.
Moderator:
David Flaherty
Panelists:
Plus, tickets to Thursday night’s Red & White Party and the Saturday and Sunday Seminars are now sale! Click here for more information.
