September 2008

Washington has selection of organic wines

If you are looking for an alternative to the wines in your grocery aisle, consider going online and exploring the flavors of Washington wines that didn't make it to the store. One of the options is organic wines. China Bend Vineyard is a winery in the Yakima Valley that uses organically-grown grapes and doesn't contain sulphites.  The bottles themselves are beautifully designed, and moderately priced starting at about $20 a bottle.  You can order from them online. Another option to consider is joining a wine club, where periodically you receive a different wine from a particular winery.  One of my favorites is Stemilt Creek Wines, from Wenatchee.  They offer a variety of award-winning wines. If you are going to go this route, remember that you or an adult over the age of 21 must be present at the time of the delivery.  So, enjoy exploring the local wine options this state has to offer from the convenience of your home.

So many wineries, so little time

In case you hadn't noticed, Washington has a lot of wineries. If you're like me, you want to support your local economy, and what better way to do it than by buying locally-made wine? So how do you chose from the 400+ wineries in the region? Who has the best wines in Washington? If you want to read a comprehensive guide to Washington's best check out the September issue of Seattle Magazine. You'll find reviews and recommendations of what wine pass the test.

Woman-owned wine company helps underprivileged girls

The O Wine company in Woodinville, WA is not only known for their tasty chardonnay but also for their altruistic ventures. The woman-owned company is helping young, underprivileged women achieve their dreams of attending college. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the wine goes toward a scholarship fund. O Wines Chardonnay is a zesty, fruity wine that pairs well with shellfish, crab, salmon and salads. It's full-flavored and refreshing, a good summertime wine. O Wines is available at most grocery stores, and it's inexpensive, retails for about $12.99.