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Washington State Wine Information 2017 Culinary Expeditions Tour Company

Washington State is quickly becoming the premium wine producing region on the West Coast. We do not offer wine tours, we will be enjoying some local wines and regional wines selected by our Chefs and Host Restaurants. We felt you may want to know some basic facts about the Washington Wines you may experience at our dinners and on our tours.

We will supply a couple of links to get you in touch with the right groups or organizations that maybe able to assist you in further investigating the Wineries and Wine Makers of our region. It is fun to share information, we have taken bits and pieces of data from brochures and other web sites to assist you in investigating the Wine Regions. We hope you will be able to use this information and let us know if you are looking or are unable to connect with the right people to assist your winery needs.

Basic Regional Facts: Currently number 2 in the nation in wine production We are proud to have over 300 wineries There are over 350 noted grape growers in our region Estimated production over $700 million dollars in retail trade We produce a 57% - 43% ratio reds to whites Washington produces 15 wine grape varieties Long summer days of sunlight and 8 inches on average of rain Washington growers have 16,000 plus vineyard acres of red wine varieties Washington growers have 12,000 plus vineyard acres of white varieties

Accolades: Wine Advocate: “Washington can produce some of the world’s greatest Cabernets and Merlots…..” Quality and Values are recognizable traits of our regionally produced wines, per the Wine Spectator Currently Washington State Wines rank higher in percentages then their counterparts in California Washington Wineries have crossed into “Nouveau” wines. Excellent regional samples Superior Wineries belong to a voluntary organization “Washington Wine Quality Alliance”.

Wine related organizations: Taste Washington “The perfect climate for wine!” - www.tastewashington.org Official site for winery listings, event & other data - www.washingtonwine.org WSU, Viticulture & Enology courses - www.wineducation.wsu.edu Washington wine tours - www.washingtonwinetours.com Wine excursions - www.graylineofseattle.com

Washington Wine Varieties, and some culinary accompaniments:

WHITES: (43% of the grapes are white varieties)

Chardonnay; Washington most popular grape planted is the Chardonnay. This variety is often crisp and delicate like fresh apples. Light oak, some vanilla and buttery nuances. Serve this wine with grilled white meats, crustaceans, shrimp and light sauces.

Sauvignon Blanc; This wine is produced under two names “Sauvignon Blanc” and “Fume Blanc”. A very versatile wine that serves well. It character is fruity, herbaceousness and lively acidity. The is a wide range of tart to tangy attributes to this wine. Often this wine is known for is distinct pineapple with a hint of oak. Sauvignon Blanc is a fun wine, serve it with fish, chicken or pork. Grilled or baked and we recommend raw or sweet vegetables.

Semillon; A wide range of flavors makes this a very fun wine, if aged the honey and nut flavors come alive and to the palate it appears rich with texture. Young vintages tend to be more crisp, melon flavors, and a hint of fig. You will also enjoy a light pear and vanilla flavor. Semillon has a low acidity making it a late harvest product. Best enjoyed with your favorite quiche, crepe or even oysters on the half. A complex sauce will not go well with this variety, should limit your paring to lighter fare.

Riesling; Your first thought maybe a European grown grape, but Riesling is one of the original grape varieties in the Washington vineyards. Washington Rieslings tend to be floral and intense apricot flavors. In some vintages the peach prevails in this grape. Botrytis Cinerea creates the intense ice wines or late harvests. It is also a wine of choice when Asian Fare is being served. It goes well with spicy foods as well as fresh fruit. The late harvest or ice wine variety is best served as a dessert wine or with lighter fares.

Washington vineyards and wineries produce several other varieties of white wines that just as enjoyable as the ones we have listed above: Aligote, Gewurtztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris among others. Contact the Washington Wine Organization for recipes, tastings rooms, taste testing and wine tours.

Reds: (57% of the grapes are red varieties)

Cabernet Sauvignon; The most recognized red wine on the market. This red wine grape grows in wonderfully
                     here in the Washington Vineyards.  This wine ages well, and has some complex characteristics it
                     can emerge as black currants, cherry, berry, chocolate, mint, herbs, bell peppers or any of these
                     combinations. This grape develops and ages slow, it has been noted as being heady with a very
                     fruity character.  It pairs will most bone in meats, heavy dishes, rich sauces, grilled veggies and one
                     or two vegetables seem to favor this complex wine, of them mushrooms are the best match.

Merlot; Way more popular with the inexperienced wine drinker, it is fun and full bodied for a newby, the tannic
                     and slightly hight alcohol content seems to please the new palates. It is a cousin of the Bordeaux
                     family, and is much higher in acidity then it counterpart from California.  Washington Merlots are
                     aromatic and tantalize your taste buds with a blend of cherry, berry, mint and sweet spices. This is
                     the wine best paired with your light pasta dishes, pestos, sundried cherry tomatoes, lean meats or
                     great with appetizers - such as  light cheeses, extra virgin oil dipped breads.

Syrah; A late arrival to the Washington vineyards, it was introduced in '88. Syrah is a variety of the Rhone grape
                     and our soil and climate work great for producing the Syrah. It is a spicy, rich complex varietal grape
                     that turns very large and dark in color.  Intense aromas and flavors of blackberries, currants, and
                     roasted coffee. There are overtures of leather at opening. Serve this with your game meats or a
                     lamb shank or even goat cheese. Strong cheese and strong bodied proteins work well with this new
                     grape for our vineyards.  

```Washington vineyards and wineries produce a few other reds that they can be very proud of; Lemberger, Malbec, Sangiovese, Pinot Nior, Zinfandel and a newcomer in the last few years Nouvelle Pinot Nior. English Estates has a fine new vintage of this wine.

For fun here are some terms you may here at one of our dinners. And you may want to keep them as notes for when you go on your first wine tasting:

Acidity; gives the wine that sharp taste. Acidity is a particular characteristic of crisp, dry whites.

Balance; a wine using all its elements (acidity/fruit/oak/tannis) is balance. Means: easy to drink!

Bouquet / Nose; term for what wine smells like.

Complex; a wind that has several intermingling flavors is known as a complex wine.

Crisp; indicates a high level of acidity, mostly in lighter wines.

Finish; the sensation that is left in your mouth once you have swallowed the wine.

Firm; a well structured wine, able to age gracefully.

Length; the of the different flavors that linger after you swallow, flavor that lingers is called “long” faders “short”

Robust; full bodied and flavored wine.

Rounded; smooth and each to drink, but not to be confused with Balanced. (hint: elements must be there)

Structure; wines that off more than an instant flavor or hit, means a wine is well-structured and ages well.

Tannic; harsh slightly unyielding term for red wines. Tannic wines in their youth age well.

Info by [www.atravelmate.com/sapa-tours/](http://www.atravelmate.com/sapa-tours/)

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Deluxy Group .