What happened to winter?
Submitted February 8th, 2010
What happened to winter? Are we now at the end of it or at the beginning of an early spring? As much as I hate to say it, we need snow, which calls for a cozy fire, and then….. a glass of wine!
The February 18 event will be here before we know it. This month we are going to try a grape relatively new to Washington: Petit Sirah. We will try some from California, Australia and of course, Washington.
Petit Sirah is an important blending grape, often blended with some of California’s finest Zinfandels, but the grape is also bottled on its own as a varietal. It is not made from the Syrah grape, but has its genetic ancestry in the Syrah varietal.
Again, stores are offering good buys in wine. One I found very recently at G.O. was Serience, a white blend of Washington state’s Alder Ridge Roussanne and Viognier, and from Puget Sounds’ Zefina winery. We like it a lot; it is very versatile. AND it is only $2.99.
The following is from an announcement made when the wine earned some outstanding rewards:
“SEATTLE — Zefina Winery today announced that its 2003 Serience White from the Columbia Valley was chosen as ‘Best of Class’ and won a Gold Medal at the 2005 San Diego International Wine Competition.”
Another good buy is the Forest Glen double-bottle package of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at $14.99. You may be familiar with this winery’s Merlot which was available a few weeks ago, but which sold out quickly.
Columbia Crest is known for its drinkable wines, and while the expensive ones are outstanding (remember, the Columbia Crest 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year for 2009), the every day wines are very drinkable and are often on sale at great prices. One new one we like is the Columbia Crest Vineyard 10, which we found on sale at Safeway for $5.40 if we bought six and at Food Pavilion if we bought four. Those prices are over, but keep watching. The prices change often.
Columbia Crest Grand Estates has a very nice Riesling, again at $5.40 on sale and regularly $7.49. All the Grand Estates wines are good buys, and are on sale regularly (and irregularly) at various stores in the area.
Local wineries also offer good buys. Stemilt Creek Estate Winery recently lowered prices on three excellent wines: Stemilt Creek Estate 2004 Cab $12.75; Stemilt Creek Red 2005 $14; Stemilt Creek Estate 2005 Merlot $14. Jones of Washington has several very nice wines under $17. Check the web sites of all our local wineries to see what they offer on the Wineries page.
On February 10, in the Wenatchee World online, “Joanne’s Blog”, I will post two new recipes. One is for a special torte for your Valentine; the other is for chocolate truffles. You can have your own special Valentine’s dinner at home, with your favorite wines.
I hope your Valentine’s Day is as special as you are. It’s up to you to help make it special for someone else.
Joanne
Note: No one has volunteered to chair a Regional Dinner. For now, nothing is scheduled in March.