William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

#MerlotMe all month long. I'm starting #MerlotMe month with three stunners from Walla Walla, Washington. In 2012 the month of October was declared International Merlot Month . This year, more than 100 Merlot producers from all over the world are joining together to celebrate this lovely wine grape variety. We're using the hashtag #MerlotMe to make it easy to find wine reviews. Since I'm just back from the 2018 Wine Bloggers Conference in Walla Walla, I'm starting my Merlot tastings and reviews with three lovely Walla Walla wines. Blind tastings every month at the Clore Center. Personally, my passion for Merlot was reignited this January. I hosted a Merlot blind tasting at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center , which made me fall in deep like all over again. There's something about Merlot and it's varied styles which pleases and purples. Merlot Statistics Merlot sales are up! (Nielsen) Merlot is one of the top four most purchased red ...

Drink now, thank me later. Have I shared how well I like Lodi wines? Well, yes I have. In 2016, I enjoyed visiting Lodi, California wine country and wrote about the wines I enjoyed and the friendly, passionate people I met in northern California wine country. "There is another California wine country destination worth discovering. It is not over-priced, it is not crowded and it is full of local charm and flavors. This is your opportunity to experience small town California wine country before everyone else."  see:  Lodi, California re-discover wine country and Wines of Lodi, California . Now that spring is transitioning to summer, and the digits are counting upwards, it feels like Rosé wine season to me. This time of year many wineries are releasing their Rosé wines just in time for Mothers Day. Or just because. The Klinker Brick 2017 Bricks and Roses Rosé is my style of Rosé. A blend of Rhone grape varieties, it was dry, crisp, focused, and...

Lodi wines are waiting for you and your table.  "I was struck by the diversity and quality of Lodi wines." As I wrote in my previous post, Lodi, California, Re-Discover Wine Country - Introduction , "It is in that sweet spot for people looking for an affordable, local wine country experience. And for the oenophile, Lodi wines are a treasure." The Lodi wine region grows over 100 different grape varieties. While I expected Zinfandel, I hoped for more, I was not disappointed. Indeed, there was delicate, fragrant Viognier, re-freshing Pinot Grigio, vibrant Albarino, zesty Kerner, and even Garnacha Blanca (White Grenache). And many wonderful reds. I was struck by the diversity and quality of Lodi wines. Clifford Brown at M2 Winery. For several years, I have been discussing wine online with my social media friend Clifford Brown @cliffordbrown3 . It was a pleasure to learn that Cliff would be part of the small group visiting Lodi. When we met on day one,...