A growing number of us are stuck between wanting to feed our economy, i.e. spending, and trying to save as much as we can in fear of getting that fateful instruction to visit the office of the Evil H.R. Director.
In this issue, you will read how this recession - do you belive it now, Phil Gramm? - is affecting our Northwest wine industry.
Funny, but many Americans might now better understand the infamous quote uttered by former basketball great Patrick Ewing during the NBA work stoppage.
"I make a lot of money, but I spend a lot of money, too."
That's putting his Georgetown education to work on economic theory. I prefer that my trickle-down economics stem from the tipping of a green hock bottle.
1. Eschew the chains. The past 12 months have seen a number of fine locally owned restaurants in the Pacific Northwest shutter their doors.
Several of them were friends of Wine Press Northwest so it angers me when I see patrons wander into chain restaurants, merely following the herd. How many of the large chains become active parts of our communities or are committed to Northwest wines?
Fewer folks are dining out, and their reasons are understandable. However, for the month of March - and again in November - folks in the Seattle area have an easier time of dining out.
There are 30 of the region's better restaurants offering a three-course dinner for just $30 on Sunday through Thursday. Some are doing lunch for $15.
The name of the program, get this, is "Dine Around Seattle." It's entering its eighth year and a number of friends of the Washington wine industry helped get it off the ground.
It doesn't include beverages, but it leaves you more money to spend on a glass or bottle of Northwest wine.
During the years, I've spotlighted several of these restaurants in Wine Press Northwest's annual wine list competition, including Barking Frog, Dahlia Lounge, Earth & Ocean, Flying Fish, Steelhead Diner and 0/8 Seafood Grill.
For the entire 30/30 list, go to dinearoundseattle.org.
2. A Gorgeous snapshot. One of the best regions in the Northwest for wine touring is the Columbia Gorge, which spans both sides of the Columbia River. And this year, the winery group created a event for the last weekend in March.
It's called, "A Passport to A World of Wine in 40 Miles." It runs March 27-29 and gives ticket holders the opportunity to get in on reserve tastings, new releases, discounts and other stuff. A passport costs $15. Call 866-413-9463, or go to columbiagorgewine.com.
Sadly, the Columbia Gorge Hotel is no longer a lodging option after its owners closed it down this winter.
3. Get some Face time. I've joined Facebook. A buddy of mine from our days at the University of Washington Daily warned me about "friending" former high school classmate who are mainly "friend whores."
With that in mind, I've restricted my "friends" to real friends and friends in the Northwest wine industry.
Honestly, I've found it to be fun, rewarding and informative. One of my favorite things to do is post, for example, "Eric is enjoying a glass of Wild Goose Vineyards 2007 Pinot Gris. To quote Andy Perdue, 'Damn, that's good!' "
It's interesting to see what other winesters, Walla Walla chef Andrae Bopp, for example, are drinking. Seems he's stuck on Dusted Valley and Sleight of Hand, so he's got good taste.
If you find me, University of Oregon fans will recognize where my profile photo was taken.
4. Spring break in the Willamette Valley. More families are staying closer to home during spring break, and several wineries in Oregon are catering to them.
In fact, seven wineries will offer "kid-friendly activities" in conjunction with the 150 Days of Wine in the Willamette Valley.
The weekend of March 28-29 is a part of the spring break for many schools. So ArborBrook, Daedalus, Eyrie, Natalie's Estate, Panther Creek, Stoller and Vista Hills will provide an assortment of scavenger hunts, drawings and tractor rides. For more information, go to vistahillsvineyard.com or call 503-864-3200.
Memo to parents - show your kids that it's hip to spit.
5. A semi-shameless plug. For the seventh straight year, the Yakima Enological Society will be playing host to its Platinum Dinner - a food and wine pairing evening with a special twist at Yakima Country Club.
The 17 wines to be served at the April 11 event were selected from the top winners at Wine Press Northwest's 2008 Platinum Judging. The YES folks got their hands on seven of the Double Platinum wines and 10 of the Platinums. Hank Sauer, master facilitator of Wine Press Northwest, will be back as the master of ceremonies. Seating capacity is 144, and the event sells out faster than you can say CedarCreek Estate Winery 2007 Ehrenfelser. Cost is $140. Call 509-949-3697 or go to yakimawine.org/events.html.
6. Go fly a kite. It's against the law to go drinking and driving, but I don't think there's a blue law against drinking red wine and flying a kite.
Columbia Crest in Paterson, Wash., holds it annual kite festival on April 19. Kite enthusiasts can bring their kites and fly them with experts from around the Columbia Basin. Prizes will be awarded in several categories.
There's no cost to participate, and Columbia Crest wines are among the best bargains in America. Call 888-309-9463 or go to columbia-crest.com.
7. A primer to the OK Festival. Here's something new on my radar. Quails' Gate in Kelowna, British Columbia, puts on Sunday wine workshops at the winery with Jon Randle, the staff sommelier and wine educator.
These blind tastings compare regional wines with those from around the world. Each workshop focuses on a grape variety or viticultural region, and he's got two on the docket this spring - Aromatic Whites on April 12, and Que Syrah, Syrah on April 26.
Three days later, the 10-day Okanagan Spring Wine Festival begins.
Cost is $40 per person per class for the 2 1/2 hour class, and they are limited to 20. If the classes are as classy as Grant Stanley's wines or the Old Vines Restaurant, that's saying a lot. Read more at quailsgate.com.
8. Another one for the kids. On May 8, the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend, Ore., is the site for the 17th annual Deschutes Children's Foundation's Art and Wine Auction.
This event generates most of the operating funds for the group that serves children and families of Deschutes County.
Participating wineries include ArborBrook, Chehalem, Mount Hood, Sokol Blosser, Volcano and Youngberg Hill. Live music will be provided by Todd Haaby and Sola Via. The signature artist is Jacqueline Newbold. Cost is $99. Go to deschuteschildrensfoundation.org.
9. Bringing wine to Ellensburg. The Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce and Central Washington University's World Wine Program are popping the cork May 9 on the inaugural Ellensburg Wine Festival.
More than two dozen wineries, most from the central part of the state, have committed to pour at this event. Wineries will have tasting stations set up inside downtown businesses within walking distance of each other. Live music will be provided at several sites, and The Deli at the Valley Cafe is among the pouring sites. A ticket is $30, which includes a wine glass and 10 tasting scrips. Call 509-925-2002 or go to ellensburg-chamber.com.
10. Idaho's version of Taste Washington. There's a new buzz in the Idaho wine industry. Part of the reason is that last year the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission hired Moya Shatz as its executive director.
A product of the Washington Wine Commission, it's no coincidence that she's launching Savor Idaho, an event featuring Idaho wineries and Idaho restaurants. (Hmm, sounds like Taste Washington.)
All products featured at Savor Idaho will be from the Gem State, and it's being held at the Idaho Botanical Gardens in Boise.
The only downside for me is the event is June 21, which is Father's Day and the same day at Taste Washington Spokane. My apologies to our North Idaho bureau chief, but I won't be at The Davenport this year with you. I don't want to miss the first Savor Idaho.
Cost is $40. Call 208-455-8354 or go to idahowines.org. Hope to see you there.
What is your favorite thing to do in Northwest wine country? Send your ideas to edegerman@winepressnw.com.
Have an item to post on our free online Wine Events calendar? Go to winepressnw.com/events and follow the directions.
Print
E-Mail
