The Community Food Co-Op in Cordata not only provides Bellingham residents with a great place to shop, it also offers them another store that’s stocked with a well-rounded selection of affordably priced wines.

Tim Johnson, who’s been with the Co-Op since 1990, has served as the Cordata location Wine Manager since its opening in January of 2009.

Johnson emphasizes that although his wine section mirrors that of the Co-Op’s downtown store, it also includes his own personal choices that are unique to the Cordata location. While the meticulously stocked shelves reflect these choices, he’s quick to point out that it’s his customer’s needs and requests that ultimately come first, with wines that he perceives to be a good value for the money another top priority.

His on-site hours, currently 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday, are a definite plus for anyone in the area requiring extra service or special orders, which he can usually fill within a week.

Another helpful touch is the dozens of wines that include descriptor cards with food pairing ideas, many of which include cheeses and natural meats that can be purchased at the store.

A couple of his current recommendations include the Domaine Le Clos des Lumières Côtes-du-Rhône 2007 Red Wine ($9.95), a delicious, classic southern Rhone wine at an unbeatable price.

For a higher-end splurge, Johnson suggests the Soos Creek Cellars 2007 Palisade (label pictured at left, $24.95). Although it’s approachable now, he feels this Washington merlot is structured for the long haul and comparable to a French Bordeaux costing two to three times more.

One wine that I purchased during a recent visit and really enjoyed is the Lafage 2008 ĉoté EST ($9.95) from Southwestern France. This refreshing combination of 50 percent grenache blanc, 30 percent chardonnay and 20 percent marsanne tastes a bit like a lighter bodied viognier. It’s full of stone fruit and honeydew flavors, a splash of acidity, and a clean, dry finish.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine pointed out that as of late I haven’t mentioned Bellingham’s Community Food Co-Op as an excellent place to purchase good wines at reasonable prices.

He’s right…so today and next week I’d like to make up for that oversight by featuring the Co-Op’s downtown and Cordata locations, along with a few recommendations.

Vic Hubbard, Wine Buyer and Department Manager of the downtown store has been with the Co-Op since 1990. Hubbard estimates that he samples over 100 wines a week, and because there are only so many he can keep on display, his focus is to “look for the best values for the money on everyday wines along with a smattering for special occasions.”

Browse through the shelves at the downtown store and you’ll find a large number of wines – particularly from the Pacific Northwest – priced at $10 a bottle or less, with most everything else no more than a very affordable $20.

Hubbard feels that there are several things that make the wine selection at the Co-Op unique including:
 Small lots of artisan-style wines
 A separate section with organic wines and wines for those who are sulfite sensitive
 Selected price tags that include his staff’s firsthand tasting notes
 A 15% discount to Co-Op members on pre-ordered cases

A few of his current recommendations include the Laquirou 2005 Les Quatre Pins ($9.95), a dry, food-friendly red wine with lavender and spicy notes characteristic of the French terroir, and a pair of Washington wines from Independent Producers (label at left), the 2008 Chardonnay and 2008 Merlot ($9.95 each).

A couple of purchases I made that I’d also recommend include the Domaine de Pajot 2008 Les Quatre Cépages ($7.99). This light, crisp, white wine blend with flavors of honeydew, lemon and lime paired perfectly with scallops and pasta in cream sauce. And the Castello di Monastero 2006 Sangiovese ($8.99) is an incredible value with smoky nuances and dried cherry flavors that made it an excellent choice with a Rudy’s pepperoni pizza.

Here’s something I recently read on the back of a wine label:

“Our…Pinot Noir is produced from grapes grown in Washington State’s Columbia Valley. Because of the northerly latitude and a thoroughly continental climate (with dramatic temperature swings between day and night), these eastern Washington vineyards produce wines that show excellent structure.”

There’s nothing unusual about this, except that the wine was produced and bottled by Castle Rock Winery…in Geyserville, California.

Should Washington wine grape growers be feeling just a bit smug about this? You bet.

For years, decades really, Washington has taken a back seat to California wineries in terms of recognition, sometimes with an inference that there might be a degree of inferiority. Certainly, California has been in the wine business a lot longer, and it harvests over 20 times more wine grapes than Washington.

But those of us who enjoy good wine know that size doesn’t matter. Quality grapes, no matter where they’re from are what counts, and in recent years Washington vineyards have consistently delivered the goods.

Now I’ll step off my soap box and get back to the Castle Rock Winery 2008 Pinot Noir.

What’s interesting about this pinot is that it really isn’t Washington’s best varietal, and yet it’s a pretty darn good wine. It drinks a bit like an old world pinot, with subtle red cherry flavors, a touch of toasted oak and a slightly earthy finish. It’s an excellent match with a variety of foods such as salmon, veal or poultry. I found this bargain-priced wine at The Market at Fairhaven for only about $11.

Another California label I’ve noticed that uses grapes grown in Washington is the Cupcake Vineyards Yakima Valley Riesling (about $14) from Monterey, California. This is classic Northwest riesling, with the wine’s citrusy flavors lingering into a soft finish of stone fruits and balanced by just a touch of sweetness.

California wines made from Washington grapes? Yes, and it’s a growing trend you’re likely to be seeing more of.

It wasn’t too long ago that refreshments for a Super Bowl party consisted of several cases of beer and few bags of pretzels. If you really wanted to get creative you’d heat up a jar of Cheese Whiz, pour it over a pile of tortilla chips and call it “nachos supreme.”

Thank goodness those days appear to be over.

Super Bowl parties have evolved into thoughtfully planned, well orchestrated events, and wines have increasingly become a part of the beverage menu.

There’s no requirement to do a super splurge on wines for this coming Sunday’s game, but offering wines in the 1.5 liter size (equivalent to two standard 750 milliliter bottles) can make a great addition to your Super Bowl party. Granted, we’re not talking about over-the-top wines here, but they do tend to be fruit-forward, crowd pleasing choices that won’t cost you a bundle.

Glen Ellen Winery out of California produces several varietals in the 1.5 liter size that all retail for the bargain price of about $10 a bottle. Included in the selection are the 2008 Chardonnay (with nice, fruity baked apple flavors), 2007 Merlot, 2007 Cabernet, and 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel. The zin is particularly tasty, with big, brambly blackberry flavors and an eye-popping 14.9 percent alcohol content that’s balanced by a touch of residual sugar.

Washington’s Columbia Crest Winery Two Vines label offers a trio of good quality, 1.5 liter wines that are priced at about $15 each. In addition to the 2007 Chardonnay, there’s also a 2007 Merlot/Cabernet (which is actually a blend of mostly merlot and cabernet franc) and a 2008 Vineyard White, a combination of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and semillon.

Box wines have come a long way and might be something you want to consider serving as well. Chardonnay or cabernet are available in a 3 liter container from both Powers Winery (about $20) and Black Box Wines (about $23) Each box houses a vacuum-sealed bag, which should keep your wine tasting fresh at least a week or two after the party is over.

6:00 to 9:00 pm - Valentines Eve Wine Dinner. Dan and BTC Chef Marc Eilberg will collaborate on a 5-course meal with perfectly paired wines from around the world. Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.