William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Welcome the new year in style with French bubbles - à votre santé! Toast the season with bottles of crisp, sparkling Lucien Albrecht Brut Rosé. At my home, we enjoy bubbles year-round. If you only drink Champagne or Prosecco, then it's time to try something different. remuage : the periodic turning or shaking of bottled wine, especially champagne, to move sediment toward the cork. The history of the Albrecht family as winegrower can be traced back to 1425 with Romanu Albrecht, who was settled in the town of Thann. During the fifteenth and sixteenth century in Thann, several generations of Albrecht were elected as Bangard vinegrowers. Lucien Albrecht pioneered Crémant production in 1971 and helped gain an Appellation Contrôlêe for the wine and for Alsace. The wines are vinified in the classic Champagne Method. Tasting Notes Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé Method : 100% Pinot Noir free-run juice. Whole cluster hand picked grapes are softly p...

French sparkling wine is not always Champagne. Though just as good.  "...à votre santé!" As promised, I have more wines to recommend for your seasonal celebratory gatherings. Today I am recommending two sparkling wines from France. They are not Champagne. They are Crémant d'Alsace made by the Albrecht family in Northeastern France. The history of the Albrecht family as winegrower can be traced back to 1425 with Romanu Albrecht, who was settled in the town of Thann. During the fifteenth and sixteenth century in Thann, several generations of Albrecht were elected as Bangard vinegrowers. Lucien Albrecht pioneered Crémant production in 1971 and helped gain an Appellation Contrôlêe for the wine and for Alsace. The wines are vinified in the classic Champagne Method. Toast the season and share the history of Crémant d'Alsace with bottles of crisp, sparkling Lucien Albrecht. Share your appreciation with friends and welcome the new year in style with French bubble...

How is it only a week until Christmas?  This time of year always runs away from me. As you rush to finish your holiday shopping and finalize plans for celebrating the new year, 2016 my friends, I have many different wine recommendations suitable for these special occasions. Case in point. Sparkling wine is the perfect beverage for the holidays. And what goes better with celebrations than bubbles? I have become a big fan of Prosecco. Especially Prosecco made by Valdo Spumanti in Italy. When you pop open a bottle of bubbles, life is good. As I've learned, good bubbles do not have to be expensive. Valdo Prosecco offers one of the best values in sparkling wine and they are widely available. Below I list three sparklers from Valdo Spumanti Srl. I have listed then in order of my preference. These wines are outstanding values, typically priced around $15 retail. Go and celebrate with good cheer and Valdo Prosecco! 1. Valdo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Oro Puro Color : Pretty...

A selection of wonderful wines perfect for summer. During the heat of the day I lean towards crisp white wines and the occasional rose' wine. As the day winds down I prefer a chilled red wine with my grilled steak. I'm here to help you select wines suitable for your summer fun and meals. We've already had a lot of heat in the Columbia Valley, so I've had the opportunity to taste and pair these wines in summer like conditions. These are some of my favorite wines which I have enjoyed over the last few years. They are essential wines, wonderful for building your summer menu and sharing with friends. All of these bottles should retail for less than $20 each and are terrific values. My list includes three white wines, one sparkling rose' and two red wines. I have a full tank of propane and a patio prepped for relaxing, so I'm grilling it up outside all summer! Grab some of these wines and experience an essential summer. Cheers! 6 Essential Summer Wines Tas...

I relish writing about wine, especially when it allows me to meet the people who are behind the bottles of wine on store shelves. A bottle of wine means more to me after I know the history of the people making the wine. Matching a face to the label helps me too. This month, I had the opportunity to learn more about Saget La Perriere and their Loire Valley wines at a luncheon with Arnaud Saget. It was a true treat. The Saget family is among a handful of estates enjoying three centuries of vineyard and wine production. The modern Saget approach brings together crus and terroirs, vintages and cuvees from the Loire Valley in France. They have 890 acres to vine, six estates and long-term contracts with family owned vineyards. They create and blend a range of Loire Valley wines. An approach more closely associated with new world wine production. When you drink Saget La Perriere, you are tasting a more complex expression of the Loire Valley. Of note is that Sage...

There is no better time to embrace the color and flavor of Rosé. Spring always seems to remind me of Rosé. Or is it the other way around? I am feeling the excitement as the countryside turns green, the trees are in bloom and flowers are ready to reach for the sky. These five wonderful Rose's each express some of that jubilation of Spring time renewal. Is not wine also like renewal? “What is the scent of water?"  Renewal. The goodness of God coming down like dew.”  ― Elizabeth Goudge, The Scent of Water These are wines to enjoy with food and friends. Their lovely shades of pink, orange and red hint at their food friendliness. Time to clean the grill and start cooking outside. Bring along some of these rose' wines to pair with your BBQ and Spring celebrations. Tremendous value in all five of these wines. 1. Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace  Brut Rose Color : Pale pink. Nose : Light toast, delicate raspberry. Palate : Soft bubbles, raspberry cream, deli...