Shocking confession time: Sunday was my first ever Taste Washington. And I hit it with a vengeance. When the trade/press gates opened at 12:30, I was there. And I didn’t leave until they were shooing me out with push-brooms at 7. How did I manage to stay so long and be upright? The answer is below:
I did, however, drink the wine at the top of the post. Christophe Hedges poured some of the 1994 Three Vineyards into my glass from a nondescript plastic water pitcher. It was fantastic! Wine. Of. The. Day. I think you can get the current vintage (now called Red Mountain) for less than $25 a bottle; I’d buy a case of it and forget about it for a decade and see what happens. If you get a chance to meet Christophe, don’t pass it up. He’s hilarious, high-energy, and bit of a contrarian. I had loads of fun running around the event with him for a bit. Be sure and ask him about the 100 point wine-rating scale.
Naturally there were winemakers galore, like Brennon Leighton of Efeste:
And Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery, along with proof that he poured a bit of wine:
The Gorman Winery crew (Chris on the right) was sporting a look I think was some kind of Top Gun tribute. And drinking beer. Plus they brought a barrel sample of a new wine coming in September, Behind the Black Curtain:
Buty raided their cellar to bring out two whites from 2006. (The Chardonnay was poured from magnum.) The reds were special exclusive restaurant wines. I am still waiting for them to offer to make an Esquin wine. Ahem.
I ran into some of my favorite winos, Doug and Josh from WINO Magazine, at the Whidbey Island Winery table:
And what’s wine without some cheese? I had probably the strangest cheddar ever, hand-rubbed with coffee and lavender. Yes, lavender. And coffee. Together. You know what? I thought it was great. Behold the Barely Buzzed cheddar:
And after all that wine, enjoyed the palate-saving refreshment of beer from Pike Brewing and a crazy good hard apple cider from Finnriver with a touch of blueberry juice added:
And when it was all over, my chauffeur drove me home in the Official Esquin Taxi, conveniently parked inside:
So what were your highlights of Taste Washington?
Sounds like a really amazing time! Did you meet Caylee at the Gorman Winery table? Oh man, now I’m even more insanely jealous I couldn’t go.
Suryn,
Thanks for reading! I’ve met Caylee before on a few occasions at events. Hope you can make it next year!
Jameson
I like the hip to spit bucket!
Melissa,
The spit bucket is a must. And that way you when you find something you really like, you can drink it. I enjoyed the candor and wit of your blog. Good luck with the half marathon training! –Jameson
Looks like you had a great time. Ill be in Washington later this month tri cities area to do some wine tasting. Thanks
Thank you for reading and have a great time in the Tri Cities tasting wine; let me know if you need any recommendations. –Jameson
Great pictorial! I have to admit that I didn’t spit once, but I did a lot of dumping. After 7.5 hours of tasting, Josh and I were sharp enough to drink two more bottles at home. It was great to see you there.
Now Doug, you’re not just calling the pictorial great because you’re in it? Thanks for reading and commenting. I actually went to the Summit after for some beers; you and Josh are warriors for continuing on with wine! –Jameson
Oh, was that us at the Whidbey table? I didn’t even realize. (Heh-heh-heh…)