A Brief Guide to Wine Tasting

Play fun cork games during the 2011 Harvest Wine Tour of Olympic Peninsula Wineries.

The Harvest Wine Tour of our Olympic Peninsula Wineries starts today. We hope to see many familiar faces and welcome new people to the Washington State wineries and cideries of Port Townsend, the Chimacum Valley, and Port Angeles.

Please read on for a brief guide to wine tasting. We hope this will help you negotiate and appreciate the wines you sample this weekend.

Wine tasting is about more than just taste. It examines the sight, scent, and taste of wine. The experience begins with the uncorking (which is why many restaurants offer the cork for sniffing), and ends when the aftertaste has faded.

Be sure to note the following aspects:

The appearance of the wine in the glass. Hold your glass up the light and tilt it. Note the colors. Then swirl the wine and watch the legs run down the sides of the glass – the thicker and slower the legs, the fuller the body of the wine will be. Think of the difference between skim milk and whole milk.

The aroma of the wine in the glass. Swirl the wine for about 10 seconds, then put the glass to your nose and breathe deeply. Do this a few times. How many various scents can you distinguish?

The taste of the wine. Take a sip and savor it before you swallow. Does it have a heavy or light texture (again, think of skim vs whole milk). Is it sweet? Fruity? Dry?

The finish of the wine, or aftertaste. How does the wine linger in your mouth after the sip has been swallowed?

Consider a wine’s complexity, character, and potential. Would you enjoy drinking this wine alone, or do you think it would be best served with food? If served with food, what kind of food? Spicy, sweet? Rich and creamy? Meaty?

We look forward to seeing you tasting Washington State Wine this weekend during the Harvest Wine Tour of Olympic Peninsula Wineries. Enjoy the wine and cider you taste. Have fun with the experience. Drink responsibly and pace yourself. Cheers!

A Weekend of Wine Tasting

Olympic Peninsula Wineries invite one and all to the 2011 Harvest Winery Tour, November 11 – 13. This is a wonderful opportunity to taste Washington State wines and ciders created on the Olympic Peninsula. Visit eight wineries over the course of three days, tasting and comparing as you go.

There is an art to wine tasting. Vintners and sommeliers work hard to create flights that will highlight the flavors of different vintages and varietals. An event such as the Harvest Winery Tour allows participants to explore Washington State Wines in depth. It is simply not to be missed.

Vertical wine tastings explore one varietal in depth. During the upcoming Harvest Winery Tour of Olympic Peninsula Wineries, Olympic Cellars will be offering vertical tastings of their Syrah and Cabernet Franc; 2007, 2008, and 2009 vintages will be poured. This is a great opportunity to explore how different elements, such as weather, can effect a vintage.

Horizontal wine tastings explore wines of the same varietal and vintage but from different wineries. Folks participating in our 2011 Harvest Winery Tour may create their own horizontal tastings as they go. Better yet, buy a few bottles along the way, and host a horizontal wine tasting back at home, with friends.

Wine tasting is almost always available at the Washington State Wineries on the Olympic Peninsula. Many of the wines we make are created in relatively small batches and can’t be found on the shelves of every supermarket. We’re thankful for events such as the Harvest Winery Tour, which allow us to pour and share a variety of our wines.

Since this is a harvest festival, there will also be food. Each winery will have appetizers as well as wine. These tasty treats should highlight the wines served.

Please see our 2011 Harvest Wine Tour page for more details.

More Local Cheese to Pair with WA Wine

It’s true. Our Washington State Wineries have found more local cheeses to pair with our wines during the annual Northwest Wine & Cheese Tour on April 16 – 17, 2011.

Past blogs have featured Mystery Bay Farm of Marrowstone Island, Mt.Townsend Creamery of Port Townsend, Golden Glen Creamery and Gothberg Farms, both from Bow, and Wild Harvest Creamery of Chimacum.

Other local cheese makers to be featured at the Northwest Wine & Cheese Tour: (more…)

Celebrate Locally Grown Wine and Cheese

Locally grown. It’s a movement that has been quietly growing for years in this country, especially in the Pacific Northwest. More and more people are shopping at farmers markets and joining CSAs. More and more people are purchasing eggs freshly hatched from local chickens, raw milk, and grass-fed beef. These foods may cost a bit more in dollars, but there is growing consensus that the cost to the environment is less.

Spend the weekend of April 16 - 17, 2011, exploring locally made wine and cheese.

Washington State is blessed with a mild climate, fertile valleys, and abundant grasslands. On the Olympic Peninsula alone, our farmers produce a great variety of fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood, and milk. A trip to the Port Townsend, Sequim, or Port Angeles Farmers Markets reveals not only these fresh foods, but a host of items made from them; fresh jams, baked goods, artisan cheeses, and of course, Washington State wine and cider.

NW Wine and Cheese Tour: April 16 – 17, 2011.

Olympic Peninsula Wineries and Cideries are joining together the weekend of April 16 and 17, 2011, for the NW Wine and Cheese Tour – to celebrate Washington State wines, ciders, and cheeses. Vintners and Cheesemakers are lining up sensational pairings of wine and cheese (it’s a tough job…), and look forward to sharing them with all who attend the NW Wine and Cheese Tour.

We hope you’ll plan to visit the Olympic Peninsula for the NW Wine and Cheese Tour, April 16 – 17, 2011. Advance Tickets for the self-guided tour include a commemorative wine glass and complimentary wine and cheese tastings at all seven participating Washington State wineries. Individual Wine and cheese tastings are also available at all participating wineries and ciders, for a fee of $5.

For additional information or advance tickets, please visit see the NW Wine and Cheese Tour.

Indulge in Wine and Chocolate Because You Can.

Much of the country is paralyzed under umpteen feet of snow. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we should celebrate our ability to travel freely by, well, traveling.

The upcoming Red Wine and Chocolate Festival at our Washington State Wineries is a great incentive to travel to the Olympic Peninsula the weekends of February 12 and 13, and 19, 20, and 21. Picture a towering fountain of flowing chocolate and barrels of delicious Washington State Wine. Why stay at home when you can experience that?

Wine and chocolate may not be inherently romantic, but they can be a lovely addition to a romantic moment. In honor of Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic getaway on the Olympic Peninsula – in Port Angeles, Sequim, or Port Townsend. Visit our Olympic Peninsula Wineries to sample a variety of Washington State Wines and a delicious array of chocolate creations.
(more…)

Chocolate and Wine, Wine and Chocolate

Indulge in pure joy - red wine and chocolate.

Every year in February the Washington State wineries of the Olympic Peninsula dedicate two weekends to chocolate and wine. This comes at the perfect time – when the holidays seem ages in the past and spring seems far off in the future. Our advice: do not despair. Drink wine and eat chocolate.

The Red Wine and Chocolate Festival takes place on February 12 & 13, and February 19 – 21 (President’s Day Weekend); doors open at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.. Each participating Washington State winery will serve perfectly paired wine and chocolate. If you’ve never tried the two together, you simply don’t know how good life can be. (more…)

Bottom Line Duo at Harbinger Winery

The incomparable Bottom Line Duo will play at Harbinger Winery in Port Angeles on Saturday December 4, 2010. Enjoy eclectic holiday music, eat local food, and drink our Washington State wines between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

The Bottom Line Duo. Photo by Michael Good Photography.

All inclusive cost: $35/person or $25/person for wine club members. Only 50 seats are available. Contact Harbinger Winery at (360) 452-4262 or email info@harbingerwinery.com.

Celebrate the Harvest at Olympic Peninsula Wineries

Celebrate the fall harvest with Washington State Wines.

Pull your favorite wine glass out of the cupboard and bring it with you to the 2010 Harvest Olympic Peninsula Winery Tour. Celebrate the fall harvest with Washington State Wines and Ciders and a sampling of fresh, delicious, food. Participants will be able to sample new releases and try old favorites.

For an added bit of fun, we’re adding a scavenger hunt this year. At each of the seven participating Washington State wineries and ciders you’ll be given a clue – find the item it describes and get a sticker on your card. If you find all the items and have the stickers to prove it, you’ll have a chance at wining a culinary gift basket.

Below are a few Harvest Festival details for each Olympic Peninsula winery / cidery.

(more…)

Tour the Olympic Peninsula Wine Harvest

Bring your own glass to the 2010 Harvest Wine Tour of Washington State Wineries on the Olympic Peninsula.

The amazing taste of fall.

Our Harvest Wine Tour takes place November 13 and 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all seven member wineries. This is a great excuse to head to the Blue Hole in Sequim, which will probably be in high demand come mid November. Olympic Cellars on the road to Port Angeles, and Camaraderie Cellars and Black Diamond Winery in Port Angeles will serve an assortment of autumnal appetizers alongside their wines.

The Olympic Rain Shadow stretches to scenic Port Townsend, where Sorenson Cellars and FairWinds Winery will serve their finest Washington State Wines and FinnRiver Farm and Cidery will amaze you with their delicious hard cider. Tasty treats will accompany the wines.

For extra fun, each winery will host a scavenger hunt for wine-related items during the weekend.

This is a self-guided tour: start in Port Angeles and work your way to Chimacum, start in Port Townsend and work your way back, or criss-cross the peninsula. Your itinerary is up to you. Our wineries supply outstanding Washington State wines and ciders, food, and fun.

Tickets for this self guided tour are available in advance or at the door on a first come basis for $25.00 and entitle you to complimentary wine tastings and appetizers at each winery during the weekend. A tasting fee of $5.00 per person per winery will apply to non ticketed visitors.

For additional information and tickets, please visit our Harvest Wine Tour page.

Olympic Peninsula Wine Tour

The Harvest Wine Tour highlights seven Washington State Wineries on the Olympic Peninsula. Our version of a fall harvest festival takes place November 13 and 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A self guided tour, the Harvest Wine Tour encourages people to visit all seven participating Washington State Wineries: Harbinger Winery, Camaraderie Cellars and Black Diamond Winery in Port Angeles, Olympic Cellars in Sequim, Sorenson Cellars and FairWinds Winery in Port Townsend, and FinnRiver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum.

Tickets ($25) are available for purchase in advance, or at the door (on a first come basis). They include entrance and tastings at all seven wineries, a special commemorative wine glass, and samples of tasty local cuisine at each winery. Oenophiles who have their passports stamped at all seven participating wineries will be eligible for gift basket drawing.

The Harvest Wine Tour is a great excuse to get out of the city and visit the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. It’s fun to visit small wineries, each of which has its own distinct personality. Meet the wine makers and learn about the wine first hand while tasting it.

The Days of Crab and Wine

Do you like to cook?

Do you like to eat Dungeness Crab?

Do you like Washington wine?

If your answer to the above questions is “yes”, then you’ll love the upcoming Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival and Wine Tour, October 9 and 10, 2010.

In addition to an on-going crab feed, cooking demonstrations will help spectators make the most of their crab, and wine tastings will help you learn which Washington wines work best with Dungeness Crab. It is guaranteed to be an exciting weekend, all around. See you there.

Bring home a bottle of Washington Wine from the Olympic Peninsula to enjoy with your crab cakes.

Olympic Peninsula Wine and Lavender

The Sequim Lavender Festival is just days away, and the Olympic Peninsula Wine and Lavender Tour is in progress. Showers today should freshen the farms so the lavender will look its best come Friday July 16, when the Lavender Festival begins. By then, skies will be blue and fields of lavender will dazzle the eyes with green, purple and blue.

But if you just can’t wait until this weekend, don’t. It is summer, after all, the best time to take a few days off work and treat yourself to a little rest and relaxation. Seven Washington wineries on the Olympic Peninsula are pouring hand-crafted wines and ciders as I write; why aren’t you enjoying a taste of it?

Immerse yourself in beautiful lavender fields during the 2010 Sequim Lavender Festival.

(more…)