Columbia Valley

Reviews July 12, 2012

Barnard Griffin Syrah Port, Columbia Valley, Washington State.

Grapes 100% Syrah   Facts I’ve had this bottle laying around my office for a few months now, and I finally decided (late last night) that it should probably get a review. Normally I wouldn’t review a “cold weather wine” such as the Barnard Griffin Syrah Port in the middle of summer, but I’ve always been of the opinion that fortified wines don’t get the recognition they deserve. Instead, they unfortunately seem to get pigeonholed…

Read More
Pairings April 15, 2012

Thai Tuna Burgers with Ginger-Lemon Mayo Paired with Waterbrook Sauvignon Blanc.

Just a heads-up, this isn’t exactly the easiest and quickest pairing I’ve ever done, but the outcome was certainly worth the extra time spent on prep. It’s quite convenient that I have small fish monger a mile down the road from me, and if you aren’t able to get your hands on good quality “sushi grade” tuna, I probably wouldn’t attempt this recipe. This quality is vital, as we’re only going to be grilling the…

Read More
Reviews April 5, 2012

Waterbrook Sangiovese Rose, Columbia Valley, Washington State.

  Grapes 100% Sangiovese   Facts Ok kids, so since the weather has started warming up (at least here in Florida), we can start to break-out some rosé reviews! Rosés really are quintessential “patio wines”, but some guys have a problem drinking it (for the same reason they that have a problem wearing pink) i.e. they think it threatens their masculinity. Therefore, it’s my hope in this review to kill two birds with one stone,…

Read More
Reviews March 1, 2012

Kung Fu Girl Riesling by Charles Smith Wines, Columbia Valley, Washington State.

Grape 100% Riesling   Facts I’ve been slowly working my way through the Charles Smith portfolio of wines for the last few years – with the only hindrance to my progress being their limited-availability. It’s quite a wonder why more restaurants/retailers don’t carry this line. I would challenge anyone to find a better value coming out of Washington State right now. It certainly beats the generic-tasting-juice that some of the “big boys” are churning out!…

Read More
Reviews August 29, 2011

Hogue Genesis Columbia Valley Riesling 2008

  Grape 100% Riesling   Facts Let’s get this out of the way before we start! Riesling, by most standards, is considered a sweet and almost dessert-style wine. Quite often begin shunned by most “serious” wine drinkers, with ridiculous rhetoric like “sugar water” and “soda pop”! But let me tell you a quick story that hopefully might cause you to think about Riesling in a different light! Many moons ago (2006), after I sat my…

Read More
Reviews March 9, 2011

Hedges C.M.S, Columbia Valley – Washington State, 2008

  Grapes 48% Merlot, 46% Cabernet, 6% Syrah   Facts The name C.M.S. comes from the blend of grapes they use i.e. Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah. This makes sense considering they are the leading the grapes in the Columbia Valley region. The Hedges estate also make a white blend of Chardonnay, Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc. The CMS has been made since 1987, and is recognized as one of the big value-driven wines coming out of Washington State.

Read More