Many of you know how much I love Washington State wine and the lengths that I go to, to share all this lovely product with you. So, it should not come as a shock to you when I make a somewhat controversial statement and put out there that, in my book, Washington State does not rank number two in the U.S., behind California, but number one.
Washington is a state that is world-renowned for its bold innovation as the home of such companies as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks and Amazon. That same spirit is evident within our wine industry. Washington’s rapid progress is due to its collection of innovative and competitive winemakers, winemakers who have created lovely wines, surpassing the quality of California product.
The state has not stayed stagnant with a mentality of “we have something that isn’t broke so let’s not fix it.” We have taken the lovely varietals that grow so abundantly here and used them to make both outrageously yummy blends and gorgeous single varietals — and the world is noticing. Washington wines are consistently ranking on the Wine Enthusiast lists and our wines are regularly walking away with golds and double golds in national and international competitions.
Washington has more than 900 wineries, and that number is growing on a yearly basis. Due to that growth, state winemakers have become increasingly competitive with a desire to produce wine that is different and stands out from the crowd, wines that bring quality and value to the pallet.
Our dedicated winemakers take great care in choosing the grapes for their lovely creations. Jean Claude Beck, winemaker for Woodhouse Wine Estates, is so very passionate about what he produces, he said, “I do not make European blends, I do not make French wine — I make Washington State wines!”
Beck, like many Washington winemakers, handpicks his grapes, tastes the grapes at different stages of growth, tests the soil that the grapes are grown in, and is very interactive with the growers of his grapes.
I have had the privilege of being able to spend time with a vintner/winemaker and he showed me how to look for the quality in the soil, the granularity, the taste, and what type of grape should be planted in which particular soil.
What is the result of all this passionate nurturing? Innovative, lovely rosès that are no longer your grandmother’s sweet grape juice, but juices that are being fermented from varietals like Malbec, Cabernet, Grenache and Syrah.
Winemaker Larry Lindvig from Carnation has produced a single varietal from the Tannat grape and it is among my favorite wines in the state. Who would’ve thought you could take a little blueberry-type blending grape and make a beautiful single varietal that tastes heavenly?
I love that we see retro grapes like Chenin Blanc re-emerging in popularity. Scott Greenburg owner/winemaker of Convergence Zone in North Bend, makes a beautiful Chenin Blanc.
Washington is well-known for our creative, European-influenced blends. In one of my many discussions with William Grassie, owner and winemaker for Wm. Grassie Wine Estates, I had asked him what he thought the next up-and-coming varietal will be, or perhaps a returning varietal? I thought that maybe he would mention the Merlot grape, but instead we discussed the rise in popularity of specially crafted blends.
Yes, I believe that Washington State wine is number one for the quality, taste and passion that is evident in every glass. It is only fitting that we have the world-class wines to match our world-class spirit of innovation.
Cheers!
Kimberlea Miller is a wine columnist and co-owner of Wildflower Wine Shop in North Bend.
