Summer Sips

Your palate may want to lighten up on a hot Summer night. 

Here's the start of Summer Sips, which are all local and ready to enjoy at any one of our regional lakes or just at home in your very own backyard. 

(As the Summer continues we'll add to this list)

Perfect Pinot Gris (Latah Creek Wine Cellars) A pioneer of the Washington wine industry, who continues to blaze new trails, Latah Creek releases their first ever Pinot Gris. We are not surprised, its perfect. This vividly crisp and refreshing 2008 Pinot Gris is a no-fail pairing with most foods, but in fact needs no accompaniment at all. Sweet honey and violet notes and the slightest trace of smoke intoxicate the bouquet, while lingering fruits such as pineapple and melon have you thinking you now know what a tropical garden might taste like. Expect a smooth, silky texture that lingers as you long for your next sip of summer. A lovely wine indeed. ($11)

Luscious Sauvignon Blanc (Arbor Crest) No time in oak makes this a precise Sauvignon Blanc solely from the Bacchus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley. The mature vines allow the grapes to yield polished flavors that are fresh, lively and simply delightful. The bouquet itself from this 2007 Sauvignon Blanc is so inviting you'll anticipate the first sip and then you'll instantly appreciate why this particular wine collects so many accolades. Arbor Crest Cliff House grounds may be the perfect place for a picnic. Their Sauvignon Blanc is what you sould chose to pair with a summer picnic ($11)

Remarkable Riesling (Barrister) Surprise Surprise! I know, you don't think whites when you think Barrister, as this winery has made a well-respected name for themselves on their amazing Reds. However, the 2009 Riesling is no token-white wine. Its remarkable. This single-vineyard dry Riesling is from 30-year-old vines at the Koinonia Vineyard near Sunnyside, WA. Ahh, Summertime, and the sipping is easy when it comes to this riesling. ($17)

Just-Right Rose (Liberty Lake Wine Cellars) The 2009 Vintage, Red Mountain Quixotic Farm Rose' is bursting with strawberries and tastes like a sunny day in the country. The release of this Rose' of Merlot assures us why every things coming up Rose' in the Washington wine trends. Easy pairing for everything from a backyard BBQ to elegant cuisine.($15) This Rose' is now an endangered vino...only 3 cases left.

Stunning Sauvingnon Blanc (Robert Karl) The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Andrew’s McKinley Springs Vineyard. This wine is crisp with vibrant lemon zest, gorgeous gooseberry, and citrusy finish with crisp lively acidity. There are two sides to this Sauv Banc; It sips like a crisp summer day, bright and sunny, yet still cozy, plush and so smooth ($15)
(Notable wine: Robert Karl produced a 2009 brilliant Rose' of Cabernet Franc which promptly sold out.)

Voila' Viognier! This is the sexy new white grape that has strictly red drinkers reconsidering. Fortunately, we have 3 distinctly different yet delicious ones to choose from;

(Barili Cellar) 2009 Viognier is Barili's sophomore effort of this drinking on the deck style wine. With grapes from Seth Ryan Estate Vineyards on Red Mountain. We recommended this one to be served slightly chilled. The 2009 Viognier will be greet you with pineapple, melon and citrus. Crisp and fruity, like a chilled fruit salad in a glass. ($19)

(Overbluff) 2009 Vixen is 100% Viognier crafted from two of Walla Walla Valley's premier vineyards. Overbluff debuted their wines as recently as Spring 2010 and claimed a victory with this Viognier. Pear, pineapple, and Mango envelop the palate giving way to passion fruit in a long and lingering finish that will have you planning your next rendezvous with this plush wine. ($19)

(Townshend) 2008 Townshend Viognier boasts peaches with the floral perfume of lily and gardenia and essence of baked apples ever so lightly sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg. This viognier is creamy like vanilla ice cream.  ($13.95)

More to come, as the Summer continues...
 
(photocredit: summer wine, fr property and germanlight)

Comments

April Yap said…
Hi Laurie,

The monarch series red label is a wonderfl feature. I hope the taste is as good as the label. I hope I can try these selections.

BTW, I wanted to ask you a question about your blog but I couldn't find a contact form. Let me know if I can email you!

April
July 30, 2010 at 4:22 AM
Unknown said…
April,

Latah Creek tasting room is open Daily 9-5 (13030 East Indiana, Spokane Valley). I know the original release is close to sell out but they are bottling different reds soon. There is a print available of the art.

I can be reached at sipofspokane@gmail.com

Cheers and thanks for reading SIP!
July 30, 2010 at 9:01 AM
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