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The way things are going in Washington these days, the above headline needs a bit more information - because it seems like a Walla Walla winery is opening a second tasting room in Woodinville about every other week.
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Northwest wineries fared well at the 2010 Grand Harvest Awards, an international wine competition staged by Vineyard & Winery Management magazine.
When families gather around the Thanksgiving table, it's one time of the year when less expensive wines can do quite nicely.
And when those less expensive wines don't scrimp on quality, that's all the better.
That's the case with Chateau Ste. Michelle's new lineup of Stimson Estate Cellars wines, which come in 1.5-liter bottles and sell for $10 to $12.
A large bottle of Stimson Estate Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Chardonnay is plenty to serve six adults at a Thanksgiving dinner. Two bottles, and you can serve a table of 12 for about the cost of the turkey and pumpkin pies.
With all the flavors in a Thanksgiving meal, from turkey breasts to molded jello salad, almost any wine will do to observe the festive occasion.
There's no need to break out a $50 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or a $28 vineyard-designated Chardonnay that will match well with only part of the meal.
Try a blended red or white or mix in a rose from one of those 1.5-liter bottles.
Each of these wines was tasted double-blind by Wine Press Northwest magazine's tasting panel earlier this fall, and each gained an "outstanding" rating - meaning panel members agreed unanimously on their high quality.
It's great to be in the wine-tasting business when inexpensive wine rates so high and tastes so good.
Ted Baseler, chief executive officer of Stimson Lane Vineyards, parent company to Chateau Ste. Michelle, says the new line gives Washington a presence in the growing 1.5-liter market.
"Because of new vineyards in Washington state, we have an ideal opportunity to provide consumers with a quality, affordable table wine for everyday use," he said.
That's all the better for consumers, because the grapes in Northwest wines generally are far superior to anything found in a California or European jug wine.
The Stimson Estate Cellars wine are available at supermarkets, liquor stores and wine shops.
There also is a good selection of regular-size bottles of less expensive Pacific Northwest Riesling, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and blended reds. And don't forget such sparkling wines as Domaine Ste. Michelle and Ste. Chapelle, which have several wines in the less than $10 range.
Here are the Wine Press Northwest panel's comments on the three Stimson wines:
Stimson Estate Cellars 2000 Merlot, Washington - Absolutely stunning for the price. Lush, smoky oak and blackberry aromas along with chocolate-covered cherries. Sweet tannins with a smooth milk chocolate finish. A perfect bottle for a dinner of eight.
Stimson Estate Cellars 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon - A juicy fruit-brimming wine with delicious jammy flavors, including wonderful black cherries and licorice. Big vanilla beginning and an opulent, succulent finish. Try this with turkey and gravy and a bit of cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving in wine country
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New releases
These wines were tasted by Wine Press Northwest magazine's tasting panel. The tasters do not know either the winery or the type of wine when reviewing. A wine must receive a unanimous vote to gain an outstanding rating.
Ste. Chapelle 2001 Dry Riesling, Winemakers Series, Idaho, $5.99 - A best buy with enticing floral aromas and an abundance of tropical fruit and tree fruit flavors. It finished a bit thin.
Covey Run 2000 Chenin Blanc, Washington, $7 - An appealing cocktail wine with some apple aromas and a nice grapy flavor, pleasing sweetness and enough acid to keep the 3.2 percent residual sugar under control.
Moonlight Cellars nonvintage sparkling wine, $20 - Allan Pangborn, a former sparkling winemaker at Domaine Ste. Michelle and in California, has come out with his own sparkling wine made from chardonnay. It will be released this holiday season and has a lot of charm with great lasting bubbles, refreshing zing in the mouth and flavors of apples and berries with a touch of nuttiness at the end.
Columbia Winery 1999 Chardonnay, Wyckoff Vineyards, Yakima Valley, $19 - Light jasmine aromas along with lemon peel and pear flavors highlight this flavorful fruity chardonnay.
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