Try Jaillance Brut Rose' for Seattle's June gloom

Living in Seattle most of us are familiar with our June weather, better known as Junuary.  When most of the Northern Hemisphere is warm and sunny we are still experiencing low temperatures and lots of rain.  However, that's no reason to let your choices of wine differ from what you would normally be drinking this time of year.  For this reason I would like to suggest trying Jaillance brut rose' cremant de Bordeaux.  This fun sparkling rose' is light and crisp with a subtle black cherry finish with a touch of fruit on the end but not sweet  Delicious in sunny weather, but also a spot of sun in gloomy forecasts, this wine is easy to drink and interesting enough to be enjoyed on any occasion.

Jaillance- Started in 1950 as a cooperative of wine growers the Jaillance label came into being in 2001.  Jaillance is the second most sold sparkling wine in France, Champagne being the first.

Varietal- Merlot is a very common grape found throughout the world.  It is grown in France, California, Washington, Chile, Argentina, and all over Eastern Europe.  Usually blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc in the Bordeaux region of France this varietal has many, many different ways it can be used.

What to eat with?

Jaillance brut rose' can be enjoyed with cheese, fruit, dessert of any kind, grilled fish or poultry, but is usually opened before a meal or as dessert.

Price range- $16.99-$21.99

Where to find in Seattle?

Wine World
400 NE 45th ST
Seattle, WA 98105

Portalis Wines
5205 Ballard AVE NW
Seattle, WA 98107

What to drink after your meal this summer

Two Hands Winery - This winery is mainly known for high quality Shiraz.  However, their Moscato is also being noticed worldwide.  With a long tradition of producing some of the finest wines in Australia, Two Hands also takes great pride in doing things a bit different than other companies.  Their goal, as stated on their website, is “to make the best possible Shiraz-based wines from prized Shiraz growing regions throughout Australia.”  Now they have continued that philosophy into creating some of the finest Moscato I have ever had the pleasure of drinking.

The Varietal – Moscato was originally grown in Italy but has been planted all over the world, now mainly in Australia and California.  Related to Muscat, Moscato has many of the same characteristics.  Known for its sweetness and grapey flavor, it also has a semi-sparkling quality that makes it ideal for brunch or as an after dinner digestive.

What to eat with – light desserts, such as fruits or cheese, may be too sweet with chocolate or heavily sugared desserts.

Where to Find?

Wine.com - wine.com

Portalis Wines - portaliswines.com

One of my favorite things to do after a fine meal in warmer weather is to have a glass of Moscato.  Light, slightly sweet, almost sparkling, with a nose of tropical fruit, Moscato adds, or can take the place of, dessert.  My favorite this time of year is the Two Hands Brilliant Disguise form Two Hands Vineyards, located in the Barossa Valley in Southern Australia.

Wine for summer BBQ

Light, crisp, easy drinking, white wine is not the only wine you should or could be drinking in the summer months.  During this time of year most of us will be breaking out the grill and barbecuing some hardier fare.  With this type of outdoor experience a hardy red will be the most appropriate spirit to wash down these robust flavors.  This week I will suggest a delicious Malbec from Argentina.

Catena Malbec from the Mendoza region is a red wine that can stand up to the spicy, grilled flavors that most of us think when we are barbecuing.   A big red that packs a punch up front this Malbec has a rich nose with hints of spice and cherry.  It finishes well with plum and raisons without too much tannin.  You will need all of this flavor to complement grilled steak, smoked pork, or jerked chicken.

Malbec varietal- Originally grown in the Bordeaux region of France as a blending grape this varietal has taken on new life in Washington and California but has really come to prosperity in South America.  Unlike Washington, California, and France, Argentina does not blend Malbed with other varietals but lets it stand on its own.

Argentinian wine- Argentina has been producing wine for more than 500 years.  With a large Italian immigration that brought its wine making skills. However, even with this long history, the wine industry in this country really, too many, has a bit of catching up to do.  With this statement, Argentinian wine, Malbec in particular, has been slowly climbing up the ranks in the world market.

Where to find in Seattle?

Metropolitan Markets-http://metropolitan-market.com/home.php?

QFC-http://www.qfc.com/Pages/default.aspx

What to eat with? 

Grilled meats, smoked meats, heavily spiced meat, meat in general.

White Wine for Warming Weather

Oregon Pinot Gris is great for a warm, sunny afternoon. Usually light and crisp, this variatal, when grown in Oregon, produces an easy drinking wine that can be enjoyed during the spring and summer months.

Spindrift Cellars Pinot Gris is one such wine. Located in the Willamette valley, Spindrift cellars is a small, family run, winery that produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Syrah, and Riesling. Spindrift cellars 2011 Pinot Gris has all the characteristics of a great Oregon Pinot Gris.  Light to medium bodied with pineapple, citrus, and honey that ends with a crisp, slightly dry, finish.  This wine can be enjoyed with any type of cheese, fruit, fish, or salad dish.

Pinot Gris:  Grown in France, Italy (where it is known as Pinot Grigio), the United States and Germany.  Grapes range in color from golden to grey.  Can produce wines with high sugars with a sweet taste to dry, crisp wines with little to no sweetness.

Where to find in Seattle?

Pike & Western Wine Shop
http://www.pikeandwestern.com/
Pike & Western Wine Shop
1934 Pike Place
Seattle, WA 98101
Note:  May not be stocked in shop but can order online.

Portalis Wines
http://www.portaliswines.com/
5205 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle WA 98107
206-783-2007

Or order direct from Spindrift Cellars
http://www.spindriftcellars.com/
810 Applegate Street Philomath, OR 97370
(541) 929-6555

Secateurs Red 2010

This full body, easy drinking, wine is one of my personal favorites. Blackberry, plum, and hints of spice add to this complex wine. Made with 70% Shiraz with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Mouve'dre, Grenache and Carignan making up the remainder of the blend. This wine is great with hardy meals but can be enjoyed on its own, very smooth and elegant.  If you like Washington red blends you will love this wine!


Region: Western Cape


Price:  $15-$19


What to eat with: Grilled meats, heavily spiced dishes


Where to get in Seattle: Portalis Wines http://www.portaliswines.com/ - Wine World http://wineworldspirits.com/ - MadWine http://www.madwine.com/

I enjoy wine.  I started enjoying it when I was working in a French restaurant in Los Angeles in the early 90’s.  At the time it seemed so foreign and exotic to me.  The unknown labels, the unpronounceable vineyards, the whole process of tasting were quite intimidating at first.  It was an adventure that I was glad to take.  Ever since then I’ve come to appreciate the many aspects of having a good glass wine.   From a fine dinner to a relaxing evening on the porch, there are so many ways to enjoy it!

  Forward to 2004, I started working at a great wine shop in Seattle that afforded me the opportunity to taste many great wines from around the world.  I hope to introduce some people, who also enjoy the experience of wine, to some varieties from all over world and Pacific Norwest region that can be found in the Seattle area at some of its great wine shops and grocery stores, most at very reasonable prices.