Monthly Archives: July 2006

Blends: You’re Drinking More of Them Than You Might Think

You’ve probably heard the term “blend” when people talk about a particular wine, but what exactly are they really referring to? It’s simply a combination of two or more varietals, with a varietal being the equivalent of a purebred grape. Think of crossing a labrador (varietal) with a poodle (varietal) to come up with a […]

Sumac Ridge Treats its Guests Right

One of the highlights of my recent trip to the Okanagan Valley was a visit to Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, located just north of Summerland, British Columbia and now in its 25th year of operation. Sumac Ridge treats its guests like royalty by greeting them with a sample of wine before they even enter the […]

Yakima Valley Wineries Coming to Bellingham

I’ve always felt that one of the best ways to learn about and experience what Washington wineries have to offer is to visit them firsthand. But organizing a trip centered on wineries – particularly those in Eastern Washington – can take a bit of time and effort for those of us living on the western […]

Chardonnay

Covey Run 2004 (about $9): A nice, medium-bodied Chard from Columbia Valley with ample green apple and pear flavors and a dollop of toasty oak on the finish. It’s nice to know you can still buy a decent Washington Chardonnay for under $10 a bottle and serve it to guests without reservation. Great with seafood, […]

Wine Class at BTC

2:00 to 4:30 pm – Hosting a Wine Tasting Party. Participate in a blind tasting and learn how to set one up on your own with plenty of tips and other useful information. Emphasis will also be placed on special occasion wines such as Champagne. Guaranteed to be a fun class! Click on the Wine […]