#PacificNorthwest #wine news and reviews, focused on the producers and wines of the Cascadia bioregion (primarily Washington, Oregon, Idaho & British Columbia).
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Articles by Andy Perdue
There’s nothing quite like an authentic French Chablis, a true original
Editor’s Note: Vintage Pacific NW revisits some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food (by Nancy Leson, Providence Cicero, and chefs Greg Atkinson and Kathy Casey), gardening (by Valerie Easton and Ciscoe Morris), fitness (from former Fit for Life writer Nicole Tsong), architecture (from former NW Living writer Lawrence Kreisman), wine (from local guru Andy Perdue) and more. Originally published Feb.
WSU’s Tri-Cities Wine Science Center changed the landscape in 2015
Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published March 8, 2015 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine IN A QUARTER-CENTURY, we will remember 2015 as among the most important moments in Washington wine history. This is the year when momentum shifts, when focus sharpens, when everything becomes more serious.
Wine issue: Andy Perdue’s 50 celebratory picks for his 50th birthday
Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Oct. 3, 2014 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine A DECADE AGO, when the calendar flipped over to my 40th birthday, I began to think ahead and contemplate the enormity of my 50th. Not necessarily in a “Why have I wasted my life?” sort of way.
A Northwest wine expert’s top picks in case you’re ever stranded
Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published June 15, 2014 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine I’M NOT MUCH of a rum guy, so if I end up stranded on a tropical island, my choice of what to sip while awaiting rescue will be wine.
Tips to store your wine … as long as you can wait
Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Oct. 13, 2013 By Andy Perdue, former Grapevine writer FOR THE 60% of us who drink wine, we don’t keep it around long. In fact, 90% of all wine is consumed within 24 hours. In other words, we age our wine on the way home from the store.
How to use wine-competition results to discover some officially winning bottles
Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Jan. 4, 2015 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine AS I SEE IT, you can unearth new and exciting wines in at least five ways.
Here is what’s behind the shapes and sizes of wine bottles
Nov. 7, 2021 at 7:00 am By Special to The Seattle Times Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Jan. 30, 2015 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine WHEN GAZING at a wall of wine at your favorite wine shop, you might begin to wonder why bottles come in different shapes and whether this is by design.
Here’s a tip for mailing wine: Don’t do it. It’s a job best left to the experts.
Oct. 2, 2021 at 7:00 am By Special to The Seattle Times Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Jan. 20, 2017 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine ACCORDING TO THE Constitution, Prohibition ended in 1933.
Wine lovers should explore Mount Baker foothills
Among my favorite corners of the Pacific Northwest is the Bellingham area, a mere 90 miles north of Seattle. It is the quintessential Northwest, with views of Puget Sound, the west-side forests and the region’s natural beauty. There’s nothing quite as great as getting lost along the roads of the Nooksack Valley on the way to Mount Baker. The drive up Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham is among the classic byways in the Pacific Northwest, as iconic as driving down the coast on Highway 101.
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and open that special bottle of wine tonight.
June 12, 2021 at 7:00 am By Special to The Seattle Times Vintage Pacific NW: We’re revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Feb, 5, 2016 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine YOU KNOW THAT bottle of wine in your collection? The one that’s “too good” to open for just any occasion? We all have one or two — or many more.
Meritage bottlings merit attention
Perhaps no region in the wine world is as well equipped to make quality Meritage-style red blends as Washington state. We are a red-heavy region with a particular affinity for Bordeaux varieties and one of the regions able to grow all the approved grapes. A group of U.S. producers created The Meritage Association in 1988, and its guidelines for bottling a Meritage require any combination of the “noble” Bordeaux varieties.
If you enjoyed a winemaker’s regular bottling, the reserve version might be worth a try
March 6, 2021 at 7:00 am By Special to The Seattle Times Vintage Pacific NW: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Jan. 26, 2018 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine WHAT DO YOU think when you see the word “reserve” on a bottle of wine?
For Valentine’s Day, load up on chocolate and sail into a Port
Feb. 6, 2021 at 7:00 am By Special to The Seattle Times Vintage Pacific NW: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Feb. 7, 2014 By Andy Perdue, former writer of The Grapevine WHEN THE CHOCOLATE comes out this Valentine’s Day, put away the cab, merlot and pinot noir.
Platinum judging reveals trends, rising stars
This fall, Wine Press Northwest’s annual Platinum Judging officially moved into its third decade, and when we started this “best of the best” competition, the thought was simply to create a top 100 list. Eric Degerman and I were thrilled to be invited to judge all sorts of wine events along the West Coast and were looking for ways to make the most of our experiences — especially as a way to sort through the exponentially increasing number of gold-medal wines from the Northwest.
To discover (and express) what you really like in a wine, learn the lingo of a taster
Sep. 26, 2020 at 7:00 am Updated Sep. 26, 2020 at 12:47 pm By Former Pacific NW magazine The Grapevine writer Vintage Pacific NW: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Nov.
To discover (and express) what you really like in a wine, learn the lingo of a taster
Sep. 26, 2020 at 7:00 am By Former Pacific NW magazine The Grapevine writer Vintage Pacific NW: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite stories from some of our favorite former magazine contributors. Check back each week for timeless classics focusing on food, fitness, gardening and more. Originally published Nov.
The rich history of the Puget Sound region
Through the years, I have loved traveling the backroads of the Puget Sound appellation, an American Viticultural Area dripping with Washington state wine history. I admire those who carved out a viticulture opportunity, using grape varieties that fit the climate and cuisine of the region. The interaction of these ideas has helped to forge concepts that benefit those who are willing to explore that history and embrace it. It adds to the richness of the wine culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Ace winemaker Palencia, Mariners great Edgar Martinez team up
Edgar Martinez teamed up with renowned winemaker Victor Palencia to craft this 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon in a commemorative magnum bottle. Photo courtesy of Edgar Martinez Spring without baseball is wrong on so many levels. I understand why it has to be this way, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. You see, I was raised on baseball. It was practically a religion around my house. My dad, Ed Perdue, was the sports editor of the daily newspaper in Washington’s Kitsap County.
Westport Winery transforms storied grapes into hand sanitizer
ABERDEEN — Kim Roberts and her family at Westport Winery Garden Resort rank among the most innovative, eclectic and acclaimed wineries in the Pacific Northwest. Last week, their young Ocean’s Daughter Distillery project pivoted into a position of producing hand sanitizer for regional law enforcement and first responders working amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Idaho wine country is a true gem
Idaho: A wide-open place with lots of potential for great wines. Wines that are based on acidity rather than tannins, that are graceful and ageable, and that inspire conversation at parties. I lived in Idaho for a year after college, working as an editor at the newspaper in Twin Falls (30 minutes from fabulous Jackpot, Nev. — home to Cactus Pete’s Casino, open all night).
The secret sauce behind some of the Northwest’s top red blends
Search Tip: Use quotes to find results containing your phrase, exactly, e.g., "HeraldNet.com". Syrah was first planted in Washington by Mike Sauer at Red Willow Vineyard in the western edge of the Yakima Valley near the foothills of Mount Adams. (Richard Duval Images) Hops and Sips Syrah, which originated in the Rhone Valley of France, helps produce some of the most approachable wines.
Northwest Wine: You don’t have to go far for great Canadian wine
Search Tip: Use quotes to find results containing your phrase, exactly, e.g., "HeraldNet.com". Top British Columbia producers include Gehringer Brothers, Hester Creek, Tinhorn Creek and Vanessa Vineyard. For those wine lovers who have survived the experience at your local DMV and received Washington state’s hard-earned enhanced driver’s license, you now can leave behind the passport and still enjoy a delicious drive into British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
Making the case for sweet wines, and not just for dessert
Search Tip: Use quotes to find results containing your phrase, exactly, e.g., "HeraldNet.com". They’ve traditionally been stigmatized by the wine industry — even though people like them. As much as some hate to admit it, Americans like sweet wines. It helps explain why some of the most popular red table wines sold in the U.S. carry a fair bit of residual sugar.
Northwest Wine: Tri-City winery offers special GSM vertical
Clusters of Grenache ripen during the 2019 vintage at Boushey Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley. Courtesy Richard Duval Images One of the most fun things a wine lover can do is a vertical tasting. That means tasting the same wine – same winery, wine varietal and vineyard designation – from multiple years. It’s fascinating to experience the differences in vintages, including how a wine ages and how weather can play a factor in a wine’s development. There are several ways to build a vertical.
Northwest Wine: 7 regional offerings make Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2019
Charles Smith continues to earn acclaim for his work across several brands and a wide range of price points, including a spot on the Wine Spectator 2019 Top 100 list for a $17 bottle of Cab. Courtesy Richard Duval Images The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales.
Northwest Wine: 7 regional offerings make Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2019
Charles Smith continues to earn acclaim for his work across several brands and a wide range of price points, including a spot on the Wine Spectator 2019 Top 100 list for a $17 bottle of Cab. Courtesy Richard Duval Images The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales.
Northwest Wine: 7 regional offerings make Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2019
The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales. Most influential is Wine Spectator magazine, which conducts blind tastings at its offices in New York and California’s Napa Valley.
Washington wine industry looks to add 7 AVAs
The map of Washington wine country is about to look a lot different. There are seven proposed American Viticultural Areas in the pipeline awaiting approval by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Washington is home to 14 AVAs — two of them across the state’s southeast border with Oregon and a third with Idaho.
Northwest Wine: Spanish white Albariño thrives in Pacific Northwest
Coyote Canyon Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills south of Prosser, Wash., has pioneered the production of Albariño in Washington state. (Richard Duval Images) Courtesy Richard Duval Images In the early days of the Washington wine industry, wine experts in California believed the Evergreen State was too far north to make serious red wines. Indeed, the state’s early fame came with white wines, particularly Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Many regional reasons to say yay to Northwest chardonnay
Search Tip: Use quotes to find results containing your phrase, exactly, e.g., "HeraldNet.com". Chardonnay was introduced to the Washington wine industry landscape in 1965, when the first commercial plantings were established near Sunnyside. (Richard Duval Images) Wineries are making more food-friendly versions of the white Burgundy wine than ever before.
New AVAs help define Washington wine
I recall a discussion I had years ago with another wine writer after the Snipes Mountain American Viticultural Area was approved in 2009. He said it was silly for Washington state to have another appellation. As I explored and learned about Snipes Mountain, the more I realized it was a pretty cool place with an amazing history that was important to weaving the tale of Washington wine.
Winemaker’s career is golden after 40 years in Washington
Search Tip: Use quotes to find results containing your phrase, exactly, e.g., "HeraldNet.com". Woodinville’s Brian Carter embarks on his 40th year as a Washington winemaker in 2020. (Richard Duval Images) Four of Brian Carter Cellars’ gold-medal wines won awards at the 2019 Platinum Judging. This year marks Brian Carter’s 40th anniversary as a Washington winemaker, and according to the latest Platinum Judging, the Woodinville producer is making some of the best wines of his storied career.
Reustle-Prayer Rock wines continue to rock it in South Oregon
Pound-for-pound, accountant-turned-winemaker Stephen Reustle must rank among the Pacific Northwest’s most talented vintners as international wine competitions continue to reward the Southern Oregon winegrower. In October, Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards earned eight Platinum awards at Wine Press Northwest magazine’s 20th annual judging of gold-medal wines. Reustle’s story is unique. While he grew up on the East Coast in the home of an avid beer drinker, he did not follow in his father’s footsteps.
Maryhill Winery earns a record 15 awards in Platinum contest
Craig and Vicki Leuthold will look back upon 2019 as an especially exciting time for their Maryhill Winery, a year-long 20th anniversary celebration sparked by the opening of tasting rooms in Vancouver and Woodinville. And just before Christmas, Wine Press Northwest magazine released the results of its 20th Platinum Judging, which saw their winemaker, Richard Batchelor, earn a record 15 Platinum medals.
Northwest Wine: 7 regional offerings make Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2019
The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales. Most influential is Wine Spectator magazine, which conducts blind tastings at its offices in New York and California’s Napa Valley.
This year’s No. 1 wine in the Northwest is a Red Mountain cab
In a deliciously thoughtful exercise that spanned a record 749 entries and three days, Wine Press Northwest magazine staged its 20th Platinum Judging in October. Since 2000, the publication of the Tri-City Herald in the heart of Washington wine country has invited producers from throughout the Pacific Northwest — which includes Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho — to enter their gold-medal winning wines into the contest.
Northwest Wine: Spanish white albariño thrives in Pacific Northwest
In the early days of the Washington wine industry, wine experts in California believed the Evergreen State was too far north to make serious red wines. Indeed, the state’s early fame came with white wines, particularly riesling and gewürztraminer. Until recently, Washington winemakers and grape growers didn’t give much thought to albariño, a racy white grape from Europe’s Iberian Peninsula.
Great Northwest Wine: Spanish white albariño thrives in the Pacific Northwest
By Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman Great Northwest Wine In the early days of the Washington wine industry, wine experts in California believed that the Evergreen State was too far north to make serious red wines. Indeed, the state’s early fame came with white wines, particularly riesling and gewürztraminer. Until recently, Washington winemakers and grape growers didn’t give much thought to albariño, a racy white grape from Europe’s Iberian Peninsula.
New AVAs help define Washington wine
I recall a discussion I had years ago with another wine writer after the Snipes Mountain American Viticultural Area was approved in 2009. He said it was silly for Washington state to have another appellation. As I explored and learned about Snipes Mountain, the more I realized it was a pretty cool place with an amazing history that was important to weaving the tale of Washington wine.
Spanish white grape albarino thrives in Pacific Northwest
In the early days of the Washington wine industry, wine experts in California believed the Evergreen State was too far north to make serious red wines. Indeed, the state’s early fame came with white wines, particularly riesling and gewurztraminer. Until recently, Washington winemakers and grape growers didn’t give much thought to albarino, a racy white grape from Europe’s Iberian Peninsula.
Northwest Wine: Spanish white Albariño thrives in Pacific Northwest
Coyote Canyon Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills south of Prosser, Wash., has pioneered the production of Albariño in Washington state. Courtesy Richard Duval Images In the early days of the Washington wine industry, wine experts in California believed the Evergreen State was too far north to make serious red wines. Indeed, the state’s early fame came with white wines, particularly Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Great Northwest Wine: Seven regional offerings make Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for 2019
By Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman Great Northwest Wine The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales. Most influential is Wine Spectator magazine, which conducts blind tastings at its offices in New York and California’s Napa Valley.
7 Northwest wine offerings make the Wine Spectator Top 100
The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales. Most influential is Wine Spectator magazine, which conducts blind tastings at its offices in New York and California’s Napa Valley.
Northwest Wine: 7 regional offerings make Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2019
The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales. Most influential is Wine Spectator magazine, which conducts blind tastings at its offices in New York and California’s Napa Valley.
Northwest Wine: 7 regional offerings make Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2019
Charles Smith continues to earn acclaim for his work across several brands and a wide range of price points, including a spot on the Wine Spectator 2019 Top 100 list for a $17 bottle of Cab. Courtesy Richard Duval Images The holiday season is when magazines, newspapers and critics publish their lists of top wines released throughout the year. These rankings generate a fair bit of buzz and, according to wineries and retailers, significant sales.
Great Northwest Wine: Toast with bubbly every day and not just holidays
By Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue Great Northwest Wine For New Year’s Eve, when we celebrate the year we are wrapping up, as well as the year yet to come, the obvious choice is sparkling wine. If you opt to go French, many of those are legally known as Champagne because of the region from which they are produced about 75 miles east of Paris, France. Others from France often are called crémant. These can be as delicious and far less pricey, but that’s another story.
This Tri-City winery offers special GSM vertical tastings
One of the most fun things a wine lover can do is a vertical tasting. That means tasting the same wine — same winery, wine varietal and vineyard designation — from multiple years. It’s fascinating to experience the differences in vintages, including how a wine ages and how weather can play a factor in a wine’s development. There are several ways to build a vertical.
Northwest Wine: Tri-City winery offers special GSM vertical
Clusters of Grenache ripen during the 2019 vintage at Boushey Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley. Courtesy Richard Duval Images One of the most fun things a wine lover can do is a vertical tasting. That means tasting the same wine – same winery, wine varietal and vineyard designation – from multiple years. It’s fascinating to experience the differences in vintages, including how a wine ages and how weather can play a factor in a wine’s development. There are several ways to build a vertical.
Great Northwest Wine: A red-and-white wine shopping list for Christmastime fare
By Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman Great Northwest Wine With Christmas approaching, it’s time to think about the wines to enjoy with the feast. There are at least two approaches to the meal depending on what it looks like. For Christmas with turkey, uncork high-acid wines such as pinot noir and chardonnay. If you opt for prime rib, tri tip, lamb or duck confit, bold reds are more appropriate. It’s always a good idea to present an array of wines across your dining table to provide choices.
Northwest Wine: Toast all holidays, each day with bubbles
For New Year’s Eve, we celebrate the year we are wrapping up, as well as the year yet to come. The obvious choice is sparkling wine. If you opt to go French, many of those are legally known as Champagne because of the region — about 75 miles to the east of Paris — they are produced in. Others from France often are called crémant. These can be as delicious and far less pricey, but that’s another story.
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