Category Archives: Past Articles
Wine Drinkers Bring Viognier Back From the Brink of Extinction
Add viognier to the list of white wine varietals that are becoming increasingly popular among Northwest wine drinkers. Originating in France, viognier was virtually non-existent in the United States as little as 20 years ago, but it has gradually gained a foothold here – particularly in California and Washington. It’s an amazing comeback, considering that […]
Umami Provides a Savory Element of Taste in Both Food & Wine
The basic elements of taste in food – sweet, sour, salty and bitter – are familiar to most everyone, but did you know there’s a fifth element as well? Discovered by a Japanese scientist, umami (oo-MAH-mee) is a taste sensation that’s best described as meaty or savory and is produced by several amino acids. You […]
Eagle Haven – Fun, Folksy, and Good Wines
A recent outing to Eagle Haven Winery, located on the North Cascades Highway about 4 miles east of Sedro Woolley, turned out to be much more fun than I anticipated. The tasting room is apparently quite popular with the local crowd, and in fact, a few of them dropped by for a glass of wine […]
Challenger Ridge Offers a Wide Range of Red and White Wines
Today I’d like to offer a few recommendations from Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars. The winery and tasting room are located near Concrete and you’ll also find their wines at several Bellingham grocers and wine shops. One of the best things about Challenger Ridge wines is variety, with current releases that include a wide range […]
Traveling the North Cascades Highway? Be Sure to Visit Challenger Ridge Vineyard
If you like to venture out to wineries and do your tasting and purchasing at the source, Challenger Ridge Vineyard & Cellars hits the trifecta for Washington wine drinkers. With an experienced and knowledgeable winemaker, a full range of reasonably priced red and white wines, and a beautiful location in which to enjoy them, this […]