Washington state has over 900 wineries. That is amazing. While our BC wineries are bound primarily to mountain valleys, Washington state has a large land area to the east of the Cascades mountain ranges, which is where many of Washington’s wineries are located. But how can you try wines from so many wineries more easily?
One way is to attend Taste Washington in Seattle. I’ve written about Taste Washington for a few years, and prompted my readers to attend the event held earlier in March. I registered as media and was able to attend The Grand Tasting for one afternoon. This is the event where you can taste the wide variety of wines made across Washington state, without having to drive yourself. Besides having so many Washington state wineries pouring their wines in one place, there are tables with Seattle’s favourite restaurants serving small bites that you can enjoy with your wine. Wine and food go together!
Below are my favourite white, sparkling, rosé, and red wines from Taste Washington, followed by a few pictures of the small bites you could have enjoyed if you attended The Grand Tasting. My notes are quite brief as there is not much time available to taste through so many wineries in one afternoon.
My Wine Tasting Notes
Tinte Cellars Viognier 2022 – Medium lemon colour in the glass. A nice aromatic stone fruit nose with more on the palate. Dry, with a smooth thicker mouthfeel. Bright acidity and flavour. Touches of grape stem and pepperiness on the palate. Medium-plus length. 
Valdemar Estates Chardonnay 2021 – Medium-plus intensity bright lemon colour. Lighter aromas of tropical fruit and butterscotch. This wine ha a medium-plus body, smooth, buttery with a light mouthfeel, not quite mouth-filling. Tropical fruit and butterscotch on the palate plus medium intensity oak. Medium acidity. Some pepperiness on the finish. Stylish.
Willow Wine Cellars Albarino 2023 – A medium intensity bright lemon colour. Fresh stone fruit aromas that continue to the palate. This wine is dry, with a lean, linear, smooth mouthfeel. Some minerality. Medium-plus acidity. Very tasty.
Sagemoor Estate White Blend 2022 – A 66% Sauvignon Blanc and 34% Semillon blend made in stainless steel tanks. A medium-minus intensity light lemon colour. It has a light green fruit nose. Medium body with bright acidity that leaves a light prickle in your mouth. Green fruit, nettles, and minerality on the palate. Some pepperiness on the finish. Mouthwatering finish. Pair with oysters on the half shell.
Sagemoor Estate Without Rehearsal 2019 – A 93% Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Semillon blend made in a mix of French oak puncheons, amphora, and concrete tanks. A medium intensity lemon colour. Light butterscotch, vanilla, stone fruit, and apple nose with more on the palate. Medium-plus flavour intensity. This wine is dry, has a smooth texture and medium acidity. Would pair nicely with halibut.
TIRRIDDIS Sparkling Wines Blanc de Blanc, Traditional Method, R.4 – A light lemon colour. Lots of tiny bubbles. Light apple aromas. Toast, apples, butterscotch and tropical fruit flavours. Dry with light bubbles with your sip. – 
Trevari Brut Zero Blanc de Blancs, NV – A pale lemon colour. Light lees and Gala apple aromas. Dry with medium-plus acidity. Apricot and pears on the palate. Medium sized bubbles and medium length. This sparkling wine is available at BC Liquor stores. –
Prohibition Cellars Reserve Chardonnay 2021 – A light lemon colour. Light aromas of apples and butterscotch. Medium body, smooth with light acidity. Butterscotch on the palate.
Dusted Valley Falx Blanc de Noir 2020 – Made from Pinot Noir. A light pear skin colour. Roasted apple nose. Dryish, with high acidity and light bubbles. Roasted apples on the palate.
TIRRIDDIS Sparkling Wines Brut Rose, Traditional Method, R.4 – A light peach and pink colour mix. Light cherry aroma. High acidity and medium sized biting bubbles. Red fruit flavours. Medium length.
Note Bene Cellars Cabernet Franc 2018 – A medium intensity dull garnet colour. Nice medium intensity red fruit and cedar aromas. Medium-plus body, smooth with light tannins and medium acidity. Cedar and red fruit flavours.
Pomeroy Cellars Cabernet Franc 2020 – A deeper, dull garnet colour in the glass. Medium intensity ripe berry fruit aromas. This wine is dry with medium body. Juicy ripe berry flavours plus a touch of bitterness. Medium acidity and light intensity tannins.
K Vintners The Creator 2020 – 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. This wine has a medium-plus intensity translucent garnet colour. Light meaty, red berries and a touch of capsicum aromas. Light body, dry with a silky smooth mouthfeel. Red berry flavours along with a touch of nutmeg. Light pepperiness. Medium length with a touch of black tea leaves and nutmeg on the finish. Light tannins. A quality wine with a light touch.
K Vintners Royal City Syrah 2020 – Medium intensity translucent garnet colour in the glass. Light berry fruit aroma with a hint of bbq sauce. This wine is dry, light body with a lean, mineral mouthfeel. Red fruits and a touch of bbq sauce on the palate. Medium acidity and light tannins. Tasty.
Mark Ryan Winery The Dissident Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 – a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. This wine has a deeper garnet colour. Ripe berry nose. Medium body, smooth with a lightly round mouthfeel. Juicy berry fruit with a touch of sweet spices. Medium acidity and tannins. A touch peppery on the finish. A harmonious wine. –
COR Cellars Alder Ridge Cabernet Franc 2022 – Very translucent light garnet colour. Light red fruit nose. Medium body, smooth with bright acidity and light tannins. Juicy berry flavour with some pepperiness on the finish. Tasty.
Avennia Arnaut Syrah 2021 – This wine has a deep garnet colour. Juicy berries on the nose and on the palate. This wine is dry, medium bodied with a lean mouthfeel. Some pepperiness. Light tannins and medium acidity. A quality wine.
Millbrandt Cellars Ryan Patrick Reserve Grenache Syrah 2021 – Medium translucent ruby colour. Light, sweet, juicy berry nose. This wine is dry with a light body and lean mouthfeel. Black fruit along with some pepperiness and bitterness on the palate. Firmer tannins. Medium acidity. A wine that you should buy and hold for a few years before opening.
Small Bites at The Grand Tasting
Remember to go to Taste Washington in Seattle next year.
