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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.
Washington has quite a fleet of Port wines to warm the body on these cold winter days.
I assembled a few friends for the holidays and 16 Washington Ports. If I had been more diligent, I could have added possibly three to five more.
That's a lot of body warmers, and they came in a variety of flavors from Cabernet Sauvignon to huckleberry. One was even chocolate infused.
Port wines are made by adding brandy, generally to a red wine. And the result is a drink that is sweet and high in alcohol. The alcohol is between 19 percent and 21 percent, compared with 12 percent and 14 percent for regular red wines.
True Port comes only from the Oporto region of Portugal, hence the name. Traditionally, there are three styles of Ports: Ruby, which is fresh and bottled young; Tawny, aged in oak to give it a nuttylike characteristic; and Vintage Port, made from a particular vintage and can show characteristics of ruby and tawny.
Elsewhere in the world, including Washington, Port-style wines have proved very popular, and many of the fruitier reds grown here have excellent adaptability to Port wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Lemberger. Add in Zinfandel, Royalty, Pinot Noir and even huckleberries and you have a flavorful mix of Ports. Some Washington growers have even planted a few rows of Touriga, Sousao and Tinta Cao.
Few of the Washington ports are available on the general market. The best bet is to visit or contact the winery.
Hedges Cellars had the most Port-like qualities because it contains Touriga Nacional, Sousoa and Tinto Cao grapes. Elegant with soft cherries and mint chocolate with a pepper finish, price $50. Call 509-588-3155.
Thurston Wolfe Winery. A blend of Lemberger, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga. It is rich with strong chocolate flavors backed by raspberry components, price $20. Call 509-786-1764.
Hinzerling Winery specializes in Port. Wallace Vintage 1998, sweet thick flavors with lingering berry flavors and aromas of blueberries, price $22. Three Muses, which shows coffee and a warming alcohol but smooth berry presences, price $20. Rainy Day, a tawny port with great nutty characteristics and classic fruit flavors, price $35. Call 509-786-2163.
Horizon's Edge Pinot Noir. Chocolate cherries with a white nougat center comes to mind here, price $16. Call 509-829-6401.
Tefft Cellars. A full-bodied excellent fruity port made from Cabernet Sauvignon with lots of tannins, price $22. Call 509-837-7651.
Wind Rivers Cellars Port of Celilo. Vanilla and chocolate with pleasing sweet cherry flavors, price $25. Call 509-493-2324.
Whidbey's 1998 is probably the most available port, sold in liquor and grocery stores. Made by Stimson Lane, parent company Columbia Crest and Chateau Ste. Michelle, it has rich berry flavor, lots of tannins and a smooth, syrupy finish, price $16. Call 425-488-1133.
Powers Winery. A strong Cabernet Sauvignon influence with nice oak, rich, pleasing flavors of currants and plums, price $18. Call 800-643-9463.
Knippath Cellars is a Spokane winery specializing in different-flavored Ports. The most popular is a chocolate-infused Port called Au Chocolate. Immediate chocolate aromas lead to a rich chocolate and berry finish. A hedonistic portlike dessert wine, price $25. Vanilla bean 2000 vintage has appealing vanilla characteristics, touches of cola and maraschino cherries, price $24. Matrix, a traditional Port with dark, Bing cherry aromas, vanilla and tongue-coating plum flavors, price $19. Call 509-534-5121.
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