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Are you searching for a new Syrah or an interesting Port? Ever wondered about that funky named wine that starts with a G (Gewurztraminer) is all about? We have provided a list of our members' current wines for you to peruse. Just click on the wine varietal you are searching for and you will discover a little about the wine and which of our member wineries make them. The term wine varietal refers to the grape from which the wine is made. By law, the varietal must have at least 75% of that grape. Example: A Columbia Valley bottle of wine labeled Merlot must contain at least 75% Merlot grapes. Blanc de Blanc is a white sparkling wine. Available From: Columbia Crest
Cabernet Franc is a fruitier relation of Cabernet Sauvignon, less herbaceous, lighter color, and less tannin. Its vines bear thinner-skinned, earlier-ripening grapes with lower overall acidity, when compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc is typically somewhat spicy in aroma and often reminiscent of plums and violets, Cabernet Franc is more often used as a secondary component in varietally-blended red wines, such as Bordeaux or Meritage, instead of as a stand-alone varietal bottling. Available From: Buckmaster Cellars, Seth Ryan
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape produces distinctive wines that are tannic and are the most dependable for aging potential. Average aging potential for Cabernet is 5 to 10 years in order to achieve peak flavor. With age, it's distinctive black currant aroma can develop bouquet nuances of cedar, violets, leather, or cigar box and its typically tannic edge may soften and smooth considerably. Up to 18 months of aging in small oak barrels before bottling Cabernet is common in order to achieve more complexity. Cabernet sauvignon berries are small, spherical with black, thick and very tough skin. This toughness makes the grapes fairly resistant to disease and spoilage. . It is usually blended with other varieties to make wines with increased complexity. Available From: Buckmaster Cellars, Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Oakwood Cellars, Sandhill, Seth Ryan, Terra Blanca
Chardonnay ages well in the bottle, though it will not age as long as most red wines. The grape thrives in climates with warm days and cool nights, and develops less acidity than Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay is generally rich, buttery, fruity and dry. Some winemakers put their Chardonnay through malolactic fermentation which reduces crispness and brings out a rich, buttery taste. This usually shortens the life of the wine as far as aging is concerned. Chardonnay takes oak well, and many Chardonnays are fermented and/or aged in oak barrels. When Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels, it may pick up vanilla overtones. The Chardonnay grape is also used in sparkling wines. Available From: Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Seth Ryan, Terra Blanca
Chenin blanc is arguably the most versatile of all wine grape varieties. Crisp, dry table wines, light sparkling wines, long-lived, unctuous, nectar-like dessert wines, and even brandy are all produced in various areas of the wine world, all of Chenin Blanc. No matter the style, a certain floral, honeyed character, along with zesty acidity are the sensory trademarks of well-made Chenin Blanc. Available From: Kiona Vineyards Winery, Terra Blanca
Dolcetto roughly translates from Italian as the "little sweet one". It is bright reddish-purple in color and fades over time. This wine goes well with foods that are naturally high in acidity. Available From: Columbia Crest
Gewürztraminer is one of the most pungent wines on today's market. Even beginners can recognize its aromatic scent. Gewürz actually means "spice" in German so it's no surprise that Gewürztraminers typically taste spicy, usually with hints of peaches or rose petals. Gewürztraminer is quite full-bodied, more so than most any other white wine type. Gewürztraminers range in style from totally dry wines and crisp all the way to sweet dessert-type wines. Dry Gewürztraminers go especially well with spicy hot foods and are also quite good with fish. Gewürztraminers should not be aged as they taste their best when young. In fact, very few wineries barrel-age Gewürztraminers. The dark pink color of gewürztraminer grapes results in wines colored from light to dark golden yellow with a copper tone, depending upon the fruit ripeness. Available From: Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Seth Ryan, Terra Blanca
Ice wine is a rich sweet dessert wine that can be made from white grapes that have been left on the vine to freeze. They are picked frozen, and pressed before they thaw. Much of the water in the grapes is still frozen, so the resulting juice is intensely flavored and high in sugar and acid. Available From: Kiona Vineyards Winery, Terra Blanca
Lemberger is a traditional red grape of Austria. In its native Austria, it is known as Blaufrankisch. It is grown in a number of other areas around the world, as it creates a gentle, easy to drink red wine. Lemberger grapes grown in Washington State tend to yield a soft dark, fruity wine, enjoyable a year or two after bottling. Available From: Kiona Vineyards Winery, Oakwood Cellars
Lemberger Blanc is made from Lemberger grapes that are pressed lightly and have minimal skin contact during fermentation. Unique to this Oakwood Cellars, you'll find this fruity, semi-sweet wine to be delicious with an array of fine foods, from cheeses to pork, or even spicy foods or dessert. Available From: Oakwood Cellars
One of the traditional "Bordeaux varietals," Malbec has characteristics that fall between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is full-bodied and has very deep color, ample tannin, and a often a plum-like flavor. Malbec used to be mainly used for blending with Bordeaux varietals, but is now more commonly seen as a single varietal wine. Available From: Terra Blanca
While most proprietary wine names are found on only one brand, the proprietary designation Meritage (rhymes with heritage) is a registered trademark, owned by an association of wineries that has set the rules for grape variety composition and usage. Meritage has evolved from a trademark into a class designation of American wine and may someday even extend to other countries. A red Meritage must be a blend of two or more of the following varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot, and Carmenère. For either red or white, no single variety listed may make up more than 90 percent of the blend. The Associates also strongly suggest that any wine labeled Meritage also be that brand's most expensive wine. Available From: , Columbia Crest, Seth Ryan
Merlots offer the simple and easy to drink for wines beginners and full-bodied rich wines for those with a sharply honed palette for wine. Merlots are a close relative of Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlots are typically a bit more berryish, with less acidity and a less intense flavor, and often less tannic (astringent) and more lush. But they are still full-bodied. Merlots are usually deep in color and have a fairly high alcohol content level. Its flavors are typically those of cherry, plum and even chocolate. Merlot aromas are often fruity and herbal. Merlots are frequently blended into Cabernets to produce a more complex wine. Earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon to mature in bottle, Merlot is held in higher esteem by wine drinkers than by wine collectors. Available From: Buckmaster Cellars, Columbia Crest, Goose Ridge, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Oakwood Cellars,, Sandhill, Seth Ryan, Terra Blanca
There are four varieties of the muscat grape, including Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Hamburg, and Muscat Ottonel. The the most widely planted and most representative of the family character is Muscat Blanc (referred to as Muscat Canelli). Each muscat produces, with subtle variation, wines with the distinct, intense, aromatic, sweet, and easily-recognized scent of muscat and actually taste like the grapes. Muscat is one of the few varieties that is critical to hand harvest. Available From: Columbia Crest
Pinot Gris (also called Pinot Grigio) is a pleasant and tasty grape that can be made into either slightly sweet or dry wine; both are good. Pinot Gris is much less perfumed than the related Gewürztraminer, but it makes up for lack of aroma with full flavors such as rich peach and pear, light lemon-citrus, and an exciting spicy quality and acidity in the mouth. Depending upon ripeness at harvest and winemaking technique, Pinot Gris can be tangy and light, or quite rich and full bodied. Made in an appropriate style, it is one dry white wine that may even age well. Sometimes it is used to add richness and to lighten, when blended with Pinot Noir. Available From: Buckmaster Cellars, Sandhill
Wines that are a blend of multiple red grapes are often referred to as Red Blend, Red Table Wine, or other proprietary names (such as ONYX, Vireo). Blending usually occurs after fermentation and the wine varietals can be aged together or separate. Many of these wines are referred to as NV, or non-vintage, because they combine varietals from different harvest years. Available From: Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Oakwood Cellars, Sandhill, Terra Blanca
Because of both its cellar longevity and its ability to maintain varietal identity while reflecting the individuality of its terroir, Riesling may be the best of all the white wine grapes. A Riesling can be produced in both dry and sweet variations. If you’re looking for a crisp, refreshing and versatile wine, then you have found your match in today’s assortment of Rieslings. Riesling is sometimes referred to as White, Rhine, or Johannisberg, but all are made with the same grape. Aromas lean towards the fruity-side with apple, peach and pear standing at the forefront mixed with delicate floral undertones. Rieslings also tend to pick up flavoring from the mineral content in the soils they are grown in, making it common for hints of slate or stone to make their way into the aroma and flavor of Riesling wines. Available From: Buckmaster Cellars, Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Oakwood Cellars, Seth Ryan, Terra Blanca
Roses are made from red wine grapes, and during fermentation have minimal skin contact so they don't pick up too much color from the grape skins. They are pink in color, thus the name. Roses are rarely super complex and do not age. Roses are generally tart and fruity, Available From: Seth Ryan
Sauvignon Blanc is probably the most versatile type of wine on the market as it goes well with almost any type of food. Especially, pungent flavors like bell peppers, raw garlic and smoked cheeses. Sauvignon Blanc has a distinctively sharp herbal, almost grassy aroma. As with most wines, its flavors vary depending on a number of different factors but its dominating flavors range from green apples, pears and gooseberries through to tropical fruits like melons and mangos. Sauvignon Blanc can be drunk right away or aged for several years. It responds well to being aged in oak barrels or a lack thereof. Quality unoaked Sauvignon Blancs will display smoky qualities. . Available From: Columbia Crest
Semillon is the soft and subtle wine. This makes it a good wine to blend with other wines and it is very often blended with some amazing results. Semillon is often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, and it is one of the very few wines that can be blended well with Chardonnay. Semillon is primarily a sweet wine, but there are dry Semillons on the market as well. Sweet Semillons typically taste of pears or figs while Dry Semillons tend to taste more like raisins. Semillon does not usually have a strong aroma. This is especially true if the wine has not been aged for very long. It ages very well. Semillon is a good wine to buy and store for about 5 years. Available From: Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Terra Blanca
Shiraz and Syrah are the same grape. Syrah is the French name and Shiraz is the Australian name. Available From: Columbia Crest
Syrah forms intense wines, with deep violet, nearly black color, chewy texture and richness, and often alcoholic strength, with aromas that tend to be more spicy than fruity. Syrah is a rich, full-bodied, complex, spicy, long-lived wine. Syrah can be successfully blended with many other wine grapes (often to give them more backbone and structure); it also can be made in a variety of styles ranging from soft and medium-bodied with some berry characteristics to deeply colored, powerful wines tasting of roasted peppers, black cherry and smoke. Available From: Columbia Crest, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Oakwood Cellars, Terra Blanca
Viognier is its potentially powerful, rich, and complex sweet aroma. It is usually made in a dry style and appeals more to the typical Chardonnay drinker. The distinctive Viognier perfume stands out even when blended with a large portion of other grapes. The fruit usually has very deep color, but is somewhat low in acidity. Many wineries are using it as a blender, producing wines such as Viognier-Chardonnays and Viognier-Chenin Blancs. Available From: Columbia Crest, Terra Blanca
Zinfandel grapes are almost as versatile as Chardonnay grapes in the number of different styles of wine which are made from them. Zinfandels are versatile but usually taste of berries; raspberries, blackberries or cranberries. The grapes are often blended to make very cheap wines, so look for a Zinfandel varietal, a wine made from only one type of grape. Zinfandels are a wine which is probably best enjoyed young, within three to five years. If they are bottle aged more than this, the fruity taste drops drastically. Available From: Columbia Crest
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RED WHITE ROSE SPARKLING |
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