Tasawik Tasting Tuesday

Winemaker Erik Dahle of Tasawik Vineyards, hosted a wine tasting at wonderful Monterosso's Italian Restaurant in Richland yesterday. During dinner, Erik poured 2005 Merlot, 2007 Sangiovese and 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Erik and I have been Facebook friends for over a year and this was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to sample his wines.

I loved his ’05 Cabernet Sauvignon and my wife really liked the Tasawik Sangiovese. Typically, she let's me drink from her glass too, last night, she would not let me touch her glass to steal a sip. Tasawik Vineyards is located in Prosser, Washington in the Vintners Village.

At dinner, I enjoyed the Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, while my wife raved about the Shrimp Fettuccini. She said it was the best she’s had in many years. And she thanked me for a wonderful dinner.

Wines of Italy Tasting

If you missed yesterdays dinner, then don’t miss the “Wines of Italy Tasting with Appetizers” at Monterosso's on Sunday, July 11th with a 3:00 or 6:00 seating. You’ll enjoy 7 hand-crafted Italian wines (bottles for sale after dinner) matched with appetizers, cost is $29.95 per person, call for reservations: 509-946-4525.

Monterosso’s Restaurant is an independently owned and operated restaurant, located in a train car across from Atomic Ale Brewpub in Richland, Washington. Oh yes, we’re going back for more.

Cheers!

Review: Sho Chiku Bai, Unfiltered Sake

Last month in Seattle, I purchased a bottle of Nigori sake at Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been visiting Uwajimaya for almost 40 years. When I was much younger, I’d buy model ship and plane kits, Japanese comic books (manga) and I never left without at least one steaming Humbow in hand. Today I buy the manga for my son; while I still enjoy the tasty steamed Humbows, now I never leave without at least one bottle of Sake in hand. Uwajimaya has a terrific selection of imported sake. This most recent visit, I left with a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake. Nigori sake is generally the sweetest of all sakes, with a fruity nose and a mild flavor, making a great drink to complement spicy foods or as a dessert wine. Typical sake is usually filtered to remove grain solids left behind after the fermentation process; however Nigori sake remains unfiltered, resulting in a cloudier beverage. Before serving, the bottle must

A Special Oregon Pinot Noir with Eastern North Carolina Inspired Ribs #OTBN #winePW 10

Open That Bottle Night - A great excuse for a Wine Pairing Weekend. February 28th was Open That Bottle Night - I selected a bottle of wine I helped blend using barrel samples of Pinot Noir from R. Stuart winery in McMinville, Oregon. I was saving this bottle for a special occasion and knew it was likely time to open and drink. I hoped it had improved. "Blending wine is no task for mere mortals." - William Pollard Jr. Our Wine Pairing Weekend group decided Open That Bottle Night would be an appropriate occasion to pair our selected bottle of wine with something special as well. After some consideration, I decided North Carolina ribs would likely pair well with my special bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir. For this post I'll review the wine first, then provide the recipe, and wrap up with the results of this wine + food pairing. *Note: What is Open That Bottle Night? Wife and Husband columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher invented Open That Bottle

Spirit Review: Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin' @OleSmoky

Today I have crossed the line from wine to spirits. At 100 proof the Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine is definitely turning up the volume (ABV 50%). "Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly...The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey." Source Wikipedia My family is no stranger to Moonshine. That is, my great-grandfather and grandfather were not strangers. Evidently the family occasionally produced their own spirits on their Oregon ranch. My grandfather told me about his younger brother getting into his dads stash with predictable results. Grandmother also told me stories about midnight runs and secretive deliveries d

William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

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