William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Which wine closure system do you think will dominate the wine industry? Do you like natural cork or do you think screwcaps are the way to go? What is your opinion on synthetic cork? If you are like me, you've had this discussion many times. The issue of closure is not as simple as you may think. With a variety of options for closing a bottle of wine, it is natural to have biased opinions about which technology is best. This is no simple topic to discuss. Much chemistry is involved and I'm no chemist. We'll take a look at the type of closures currently in use and I'll express some biased opinions about them. Real Cork: We're talking oak cork here, fresh, woody, clean, renewable, wonderful cork. Natural cork is the traditional method for closing a bottle of wine. It protects and seals and even allows some air and moisture to pass. Natural cork is something I've grown fond of. I enjoy the ritual of opening a bottle of wine, especially when I have specta...

Here's a date now on my calendar, Saturday, October 6, 2007 Savor the Art, Wine and Art Auction This event combines Art ("Art") and Wine ("Wine"). Two of my favorite subjects. Savor the Art 2007 will be at Terra Blanca Winery in Benton City. Guests will be greeted with a souvenir wine glass and a taste of wonderful wine. A "Broadway" style welcome will great guests for an elegant exhibition unique to Eastern Washington. Chef Frank Magana will provide gourmet appetizers focusing on the bounty of the area. In a unique silent auction and limited live auction, pairings of wine, wine country experiences and art will be featured as guests sip and sample. More entertainment precedes the live auction. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased here, www.wineyakimavalley.org/events/eventsD.asp?evid=284 . Join me on October 6, 2007 from 7:00 - 9:30pm at Terra Blanca Winery, 34715 N. Demoss Rd. Benton City, WA. Following is a list of winery and artist partne...

Just a quick note that I'm still here. Several posts to create when time permits. Veraison - Vineyard Club Seminars Véraison is a French term, but has been adopted into English. The official definition of véraison is "change of color of the grape berries." Véraison signifies the change from berry growth to berry ripening in grapevines. Last month was "veraison" at Two Mountain Winery in Zillah. We did cluster thinning of "our" row of vines. We each have a section of Syrah and Riesling to manage. Afterwards we enjoyed some lovely wines back at the winery as well as some delicious spring rolls. Lucky us, Matt even shared some unreleased, pulled from the barrel 2005 Syrah... Absolutely delicious. I'm looking forward to the 2005 release - put it on your list. I have some topics to share after I wrap up a couple of other projects. Cheers!

Write that name down and remember it - Anna Schafer. How many of you know that earlier this year the 500th winery was bonded in Washington State? Some 200 wineries opened their doors in the last three years alone. As passionate as I am about wine, Washington wine, I am a creature of habit. Yes, I do tend to drink the wines I know. Well, guess what? This weekend I was bumped off my comfortable log in Yakima , Washington . Saturday I poured at the 2007 Washington Wine Country Grand Gala in Yakima , Washington . A truly deluxe fundraiser for Washington Wine Country. I was unexpectedly paired with Anna Schafer. Anna Schafer is the co-winemaker for her family owned àMaurice Cellars in Walla Walla , Washington . She my friends is the future of Washington wine. Did you write down her name? You should. Pouring with Anna Schafer I was fortunate to enjoy an hour in the company of an intelligent, serious and passionate Washington winemaker. She's engaging, knowledgeable and managed ...

This is my first time participating on Wine Blogging Wednesday, a big thank you to Catie our host at http://www.wildwallawallawinewoman.blogspot.com/ . Those of you who know me or have read my previous posts, know that I am partial to Barnard Griffin Wines located in Richland , Washington. I started enjoying Barnard Griffin wines in 1997 when they first opened their tasting room. It is also a coincidence that I recently moved closer to the winery, now just 3 minutes away - how convenient. The winemaker at Barnard Griffin is Rob Griffin. He started making wine in Washington 30 years ago for Preston Cellars. He was also the winemaker for the Hogue winery until about 1991. Rob has made his own Barnard Griffin label since 1983. Every year he receives numerous accolades for his wines. His 2004 Merlot with the tulip label has received a total of 11 tasting event awards! But this posting is not about Merlot . The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a delicious Cabernet, especially easy to enjoy at...

A Gorgeous Red Table Wine The first thing you’ll notice about this bottle is the screw-cap. Not to worry, the screw cap is just a closure for this tasty bottle of wine. On first opening, you may think you have a pleasant but unassuming bottle of wine. Color is good, but the nose and body seem to be lacking. Once again, not to worry, pour a little into your glass, leave the screw-cap off and set the bottle aside for 2 hours or so. This would be a good time to start prepping for dinner. By the time dinner is ready, this wine should be ready to enjoy. Oh yes, you will be greeted by a completely different wine two or three hours later. Subduction Red deserves to be decanted or at least let it breathe for 2 hours or so as I suggest. This is a luscious wine full of flavor and a wonderful mouth feel. So, what’s in the bottle? There is 45% Syrah, 41% Grenache, 12% Mouvedre and 2% Cinsault – 700 cases were bottled. This wine is on my “Drink me now!” list. Highly recommended – just remembe...

Summer Thinning Two Mountain Winery in Zillah, Washington, http://www.twomountainwinery.com/ is once again offering seminars on growing and managing grape vines. This Saturday I spent almost two hours thinning Riesling and Syrah vines with about 20 other students. Matt Rawn was our instructor. He discussed the importance of controlling vine vigor by thinning vines and leaves. Air flow is necessary to reduce the chance of mold/mildew, and excess vines and leaves need to be removed to focus the energy into the grapes. The vineyard we “worked” in is planted on rocky soil in Zillah, Washington, part of the Rattlesnake Hills appellation. The vineyard is in a scenic location, mountains are visible above the vineyards, birds sing in the background, and this weekend we were lucky to have a pleasant, slightly overcast morning to work in – we missed the 100 degree heat of the previous week, and the few rain drops which fell Saturday did not bother us. Matt seemed to like the work I did th...