Monday, February 27, 2012 @ 3:11pm

Washington wine month deals & discounts all in one place

Washington Wine Month starts this Thursday.

And the state's Wine Commission is launching a new website to help you discover tastings, events, and discounts.

www.washingtonwinemonth.com is all about promotion.

Here are some examples from the commssion's news release:

– Rover’s Restaurant will offer 50 percent off all Washington Wines in March, Sunday through Thursday. **Rover's is owned by 97.3 KIRO FM's "Seattle Kitchen" radio show co-host Thierry Rautureau. More information on his show is HERE.

– The Wine Alley in Renton will provide Friday & Saturday tastings, as well as 10 percent off on all tasting wines. Featured wineries include Wind River Cellars, Jones of Washington Winery, Kiona Cellars and JM Cellars.

– Long Shadows Vintners Winemaker Dinner at Russell’s, Wednesday, March 14. Experience a five course meal by Chef Russell Lowell carefully prepared to complement five Long Shadows wines.

– 10% off Bottle Purchases at many Washington wineries including Basalt Cellars, Glencorrie Winery, Michael Florentino Cellars, Wind Rose Cellars.

– Behind the Bottle Dinners at RN74 throughout March. Experience a Five-Course Tasting Menu with Andrew Will wines on February 27, Pepper Bridge Winery on March 13, or Reynvaan Family Vineyards on March 26.

Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 3:15pm

Drink up, EU & Canada: US wine exports soar

Looks like the rest of the world is buyin' more American-made wine.

Great business for Washington wine makers.

Overall U.S. wine exports rose 22% lsat year to $1.4 billion.

The Wine Institute says by value, the European Union was the largest market for U.S. wine. It grew 10 percent last year to $478 million.

Canada was the number two buyer of American wine (reaching into Washington state, yay) up 23% to $379 million.

At number three, Hong Kong, up 39% to $163 million.

California's wine producers have been pushing into China and Japan in a big way.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 3:11pm

Leaked: One show on the Chateau Ste. Michelle 2012 concert lineup

The reunited Beach Boys are planning a July appearance at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville.

The Seattle Times says that the band is celebrating 50 YEARS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS.

Wow. Why not celebrate with a little Washington wine?

The concert is set for Friday, July 13.

The Seattle Times says ticket prices start at $69.50 and go up to $125.

They go on sale at 10am on Saturday, Feb. 25 through Ticketmaster.

The rest of the lineup will be announced later this year. From the winery website:

We release our annual winery concert series schedule in late spring each year. Join our mailing list now and be the first to receive details on this summer’s line-up.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 2:56pm

Florida Today: Washington reds are among the finest to be found

Look what "Florida Today" says about our Washington red wines:

"Looking for a great cabernet at a fair price? Washington state reds have made remarkable inroads during the last decade and now number among the finest to be found."

As our state's producers are working to get Washington wines in more stores and restaurants in other parts of the country, they can use all the good press they can get.

And honestly, it's warranted. Having moved to Seattle from New York City, I don't remember ever finding a Washington red on a restuarant menu there or having one recommended by a sommelier.

Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 4:11pm

Portland's biggest night of wine approaches

It's not one night of wine in Portland, Or., it's a WEEK of wine.

And some big money for charity, too.

The party starts with a Walla Walla wine tasting on February 27th at Portland's Pure Space, followed by a series of winemaker dinners at Portland restaurants.

The Ambassadors Dinner is set for Friday, March 2nd at the Portland Art Museum, and wine week finishes off with the Classic Wines Auction 2012, on Saturday, March 3rd.

Check out the big bucks that flowed at last year's auction from the press release:

"The top auction package – a dinner at Domaine Serene winery in Oregon’s Dundee Hills for 20 couples and featuring two James Beard Award-winning chefs – sold for $60,000. The top wine lot – 38 bottles of precious Bordeaux wines – had a winning bid of $10,000. Sponsor Kuni Automotive’s offering of a choice of a fully-loaded 2011 BMW or Lexus sedan fetched $45,000."

750 people are expected this year at the Oregon Convention Center for a food and wine reception, a five-course dinner, and a silent and live auction.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 @ 3:54pm

Guaranteed 2nd date: Seattle Wine & Food Experience tix for Valentine's Day

What could be better than a Valentine's Day gift that ensures a second date?

Give tickets to the bigger than ever Seattle Wine and Food Experience in the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, Sunday, Feb. 26, from noon to 5 p.m.

Yes, Washington wines will be featured, but you'll also taste wines from Oregon, Idaho, California and around the world.

Twenty-two regional chefs will feed you, and Taylor Shellfish’s oyster bar will serve goodies matched with sparkling wines.

Some of the Washington wines that will be there:

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Covey Run, Hogue Cellars, Three Rivers Winery, Waterbrook Winery.

Food to look forward to:

The Capital Grille, Coho Cafe, LOLA, Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, Trellis Restaurant, Wild Ginger.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 @ 4:52pm

Blending business with pleasure: Washington Wine Grape Growers meet

The convention is on in Kennewick, and there's lots of optimism since the Washington wine industry has enjoyed growth even through the worst recession since the depression.

So let's party!

Growers and wine producers gather to talk about where the industry is headed, to attend workshops designed to help people better run their businesses, and to check out suppliers for everything from "bad weather" insurance to barrels to winery software.

The industry awards lunch is this Friday.

We'll talk about the winners next week. Meantime, more information on the trade show is HERE.

Monday, February 6, 2012 @ 3:34pm

Is wine a good Valentine's Day gift?

Valentine's Day is a week away (Tuesday, February 14).

As I sprung for a half-case of wine for my husband for the holiday - to show him how much I adore him - I thought, "Is wine really an appropriate Valentine's gift?"

Is it romantic?

A random sampling of 97.3 KIRO FM staffers finds; "no." Unless, said a few people, "it comes with some awesome chocolate," or "it leads to some serious fun in the bedroom," said another co-worker.

Others don't like wine as a Valentine's gift unless it comes WITH dinner at a really nice restaurant, WITH a delicious home-made romantic meal at the house.

Still, I couldn't help but notice how many wines are marketed as "romantic gifts" during the Valentine's Day run-up, especially when sold with chocolate:

- The Veuve Clicquot/Godiva Chocolate gift set. ($80, wine.com)

- The Dom Perignon & Godiva Truffles "Champagne Romance" gift set. ($190, wine.com)

Or check out the Gayot.com "top 10 wines for Valentine's Day" list which includes "Chocolate Block, "one of South Africa's best-selling wines, it is a surprising blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Viognier." About $30.

Last year Time/CNN released an easy-to-follow guide to pairing wine with chocolate, you can find that piece HERE.

More on wine-related Valentine's Day dinners later this week.