Located in south central Washington state and only a few hours from Seattle or Portland, Yakima Valley is a vibrant wine growing region and home to over 100 wineries. About one-third of the state’s wine grapes are grown in the Yakima Valley AVA. As a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association, I had the privilege to sample a Cabernet Frac wine from Dineen Vineyards, while participating in a webinar sponsored by Adam Stewart, Yakima Valley Tourism; Marissa Dineen,
With a winemaking tradition dating back to the 6th century BCE, France is of course one of the world´s most renowned countries for wine, and this is especially true when it comes to its whites, known for their rich flavors, elegance, and complexity; the best of them can be aged for decades and goes through many different stages before finally being bottled for consumption. It possesses an earthy aroma and taste that you won't find in whites from other countries, due to its temperate cl
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Summer is right around the corner, and that means - among other things - rosé, that pink, light, refreshing variation on white wine which icorporates some of the color from red grapes skins but not enough to qualify as a red wine. And actually, it´s no longer just a summery tipple to enjoy on the patio but a year-round favorite among wine lovers of all ages. And for the right reasons: besides being refreshing, rosé is versatile; can be enjoyed with a variety of foods; and is always a
Close your eyes and imagine yourself amidst the sun-drenched foothills of the Andes. The air shimmers with crisp mountain freshness, and a glass of vibrant liquid dances between your fingertips. This is the magic of Torrontés wine, Argentina's hidden gem waiting to waltz across your palate and into your heart. Forget the usual suspects; Torrontés wine offers an exhilarating adventure, a tango of unexpected aromas and refreshing flavors that will leave you wanting more.
But before we emb
California, the land of sunshine, sprawling vineyards, and world-renowned wines, often conjures images of buttery Chardonnays and bold Cabernet Sauvignons. But what if I told you there's a whole other side to the California wine story, waiting to be explored? A side where lesser-known white grape varieties whisper tales of innovation, terroir, and unique flavor profiles? Buckle up California wine lovers, because we're diving into the exciting world of California's "underdog" white grapes!
Why
Step aside, predictable Pinot Noir! Cast aside that Cabernet comfort blanket! Shove Sauvignon Blanc to the side, because here we're throwing a sun-drenched fiesta for the underdog, the chameleon, the globetrotting wanderer of the wine world – Grenache! This ruby-shimmering grape deserves not just a sip, but a full-blown toast, a vibrant ode to its soul that whispers tales of Spanish hills and dusty Rhône valleys. So clear your palate, vino adventurers, and get ready to paint your taste buds with
The Duboeuf family has been producing wine in the south of France for more than four centuries, but it wasn't until 1964 that Georges Duboeuf launched Les Vins Georges Duboeuf.
Duboeuf's perpetual quest for high quality grapes adheres to his ancestors’ traditional methods, rooted in unique terroir and authentic winemaking techniques, rigorous selection, and careful monitoring at bottling time. This translates into exporting locally favorite IGP varietals from the Burgundy regions of Beaujolais an
Chile’s signature grape varietal arrived just before phylloxera hit Europe in the mid 19th century. With the country's new wine region just getting established, a few Carménère cuttings were imported and planted in the valleys of Santiago among Merlot vines. Despite the sparse rainfall and hot days, they immediately flourished in their new climate.
Carménère was at first confused for “Chilean Merlot” until a 1994 DNA analysis revealed its true identity. Further complicating things, Carménère wa
From a country that exports the most star soccer players and sets the bar for lavish Carnival celebrations the world over, it's easy to overlook Brazil as a major wine producer.
Encompassing nearly 2,500 miles along Brazil’s eastern border, six main wine regions contain nearly 24,800 acres of 150 well established wineries as well as 1,100 small farm wineries, each averaging five vineyard acres.
Now the fifth largest in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the fastest growing markets in the world, B
Garofoli Winery, one of the oldest family-owned winemakers in Italy's Marche region, dates back to 1871 and still specializes in 100-percent single vineyard Verdicchio, a drier white varietal ranging from still to sparkling renowned for distinctive purity and verve. Way before the Garofolis took over, the winery's origins are rooted in the Middle Ages catering to local pilgrims streaming into the nearby Basilica della Santa Casa. The Bascilica still remains Europe's most visited pilgrimage chur
A region within the province of Brescia in northern Italy's Lombardy region, Franciacorta is renowned for panoramic village views, castles, and rolling hills that naturally inspire artistic expression and overall joie de vivre.
For 16 days in 2016 during the months of June and July, over one million visitors "walked across water" on a pop up art installation on Lake Iseo called Christo Floating Piers. A 1.9-mile modular floating dock system constructed of 220,000 high-density polyethylene cubes c
Southwest France is defined by a wide range of geographical distinctions yielding diverse landscapes ranging from river plains, gently sloping hillsides, mountain foothills to sandy heaths each with their own unique microclimates producing a total of 300 grape varieties, 120 of which are native to the area.
Throughout much of Europe, the wine trade had its origins in 1189 when Santiago de Compostela was consecrated as a holy town by Pope Alexander III, encouraging waves of pilgrims over the ensui
The act of drinking wines is to literally taste specific locations across the globe. I never cease to be amazed by how wines provide such an in depth lens into a particular country and culture. By far the best way to experience them is to of course travel where they're produced and visit the vineyards in person. But lack of time and/or money sometimes make this impossible. For those times, plan for some armchair traveling by tasting some reasonably priced and increasingly available local varieta
Downtown Eugene, Oregon is decidedly more laid back and outdoorsy than much larger and more renowned Portland to the north. The University of Oregon's extensive in-town footprint and streets packed with local non-chain shopping make it a pedestrian haven. Strolling here especially on weekends during the warmer months envelops you in the city's music scene like a sax player belting out tunes under a cavernous overpass enhancing the acoustics and gritty blues guitarists busking on street corners.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as France's third largest wine-producing region, The Loire Valley's Touraine appellation is defined by rivers, castles, châteaux, and vineyards as far as the eye can see. No wonder it was the preferred residence of French royalty for centuries. The Touraine also has a uniquely ideal terroir making it France's leading region for white wines and second for sparkling and rose. Vineyards are concentrated around the city of Tours bordering the Loire River, stretc
The Valpolicella in Italy's Verona province is renowned for ancient palaces, fabled villas, architectural jewels like the Stelle Hypogeum Church, and Valpolicella wines that inspired Ernest Hemingway to write Across the River and Into the Trees. Preserving the region's longstanding collaborative wine making traditions, Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella (Valpolicella Wine Board) was founded in 1924 and now brings together over 80% percent of the grape growers, winemakers, and bottlers that pro
A vast valley protected between two mountain ranges, northern Spain's La Rioja features terrain, wind conditions, and soil that differs from one village to the next. The River Ebro flows through it all from west to east flanked by the Cantabria Mountains to the north and the La Demanda Range to the south.
Vivanco Family Vineyards, a fourth-generation estate established 100 years ago by great grandfather Pedro Vivanco González, remains a small operation in La Rioja's Alberite. It wasn't until th
A small city at the lower end of northern California, Paso Robles dates back to the Spanish mission era of the 18th century, and wine making may have here as early as 1797, but it wasn’t until six wineries were established throughout the 1940s that the region began developing a reputation for premium California wine.
Fast forward to today where some reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, "out Bordeaux" France's Bordeaux and rival certain internationally recognized wine regions north of San Fra
Furmint is Hungary’s answer to other less mainstream white wines gaining prominence lately, such as Austria’s Grüner Veltliner. Most widely grown in the Tokaj-Hegyalja Wine Region, this white grape variety's name is derived from the word froment (wheat-gold color). Although traditionally used in dessert wines, Furmint is figuring more prominently in a growing array of single-varietal dries.
A great standard bearer of this trend is Patricius Winery, run by Dezso Kékessy and daughter Katinka Kékess
