William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Italian inspired Washington red wines.  Wind Rose Cellars focuses on making wine from Italian varieties. Their wines tend to be more crisp and fruit forward by design. The following tasting notes are for the  Wind Rose Cellars  Sangiovese, Primitivo and Dolcetto. It should be no surprise that these wines made me think instantly of food, family and friends. Located in Sequim Washington,  Wind Rose Cellars  selects grapes based on flavor development and balance more than on brix. Sequim is on the west side of Washington at the top of the Olympic Peninsula. Grapes are sourced from Wahluke Slope AVA, Red Mountain AVA and Horse Heaven Hills AVA in eastern Washington.  SANGIOVESE -  Sangiovese derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove" . It is most famous as the only component of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino and the main component of the blend Chianti, Carmignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Mo...

Guest Post by Juli Crompe. It has been a while since a great, not-to-miss Washington wine event has crossed my path, but the Exotic Wine Festival is not only a unique wine experience, but an amazing experience in general. And the best part? It hasn't happened yet, so you can join us! Celebrate Washington wine month in a big way...tasting rare varietals from our fine state. The 4th Annual Exotic Wine Festival is a collaboration between Wine World and Seattle Uncorked that benefits Teatro ZinZanni, a Seattle non-profit circus, dinner theater, described as the "hottest ticket in town". Why am I so interested in this wine event? For a few reasons, but mainly because you're exposed to varietals AND wineries which you wouldn't often get to experience without a lot of effort, all in one of the most unique settings. At this event, you'll have the opportunity to try many varietals you may have never heard of, or never tasted such as Mourvedre, Cinsault, Malbec, ...

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...

Finally, the Spring allergies have given me a break. I've not posted since March because I could not appreciate any of the red wines while the Columbia Valley was in bloom, and I do love Washington red wines. Once Spring begins, the desert rejoices - Sagebrush (persia tridentata is my favorite - part of the rose family) bloom with aromatic yellow flowers, Phlox, Lupins, Tumble Mustard can be found everywhere and of course all of the domesticated plants/trees are blooming too, including the Cottonwood trees and Russian olive trees. I have not narrowed down the culprit(s), but they are out there. Once Spring arrives in the Columbia Valley, my ability to appreciate red wines evaporates. All I can sense is tart and bitter. Not good descriptors for red wine. And yes, I am still biased to the red wines. I can still appreciate the white wines when my smeller is off, and I sure did drink more whites than reds this spring. The dry Rosé wines were especially good. My two picks this time of y...