KENNEWICK — Smart buyers will find spring bargains at many wineries east of the Cascades because it's just about time to release a set of new wines at annual spring barrel tastings and other spring events.
Whether it's a discount by the case or the bottle, you can save $3 to $12.50 on the wines listed below, which include something for almost every palate:
Tri-City area
Goose Ridge 2007 Columbia Valley estate Riesling, $8 -- Usually $14, this wine offers lemon and honeysuckle aromas leading to crisp pear and apple flavors. Buy a case and get it for $5 a bottle.
Columbia Crest 2007 rosé, $5 -- Normally $8, it's a perfect Easter ham wine with refreshing acidity and strawberry flavors.
Yakima Valley
Desert Wind 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $8 -- Normally $15, this one's crisp, dry and fruity, with citrus flavors, including lemons. It's great with seafood.
Snoqualmie 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $12.99 -- A vintage Cab that's normally $15.99, it's full bodied and fruity with hints of chocolate.
Walla Walla Valley
Waterbrook 2007 Sangiovese rosé, Columbia Valley, $8.40 -- Another Easter wine, it's usually $12 and it's just right for ham at any price. Charming light pink color, ruby grapefruit aromas with a cranberry finish.
Canoe Ridge 2006 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $12.50 -- Normally $25, this steak-friendly red shows loads of pretty fruit -- crushed berries, cherries and a touch of lavender perfume. It's medium bodied with essences of cherries, raspberries, chocolate and black pepper backed by spice and flint notes with a dry and long finish.
Chelan-Wenatchee
Vin Du Lac 2007 late harvest Riesling, Chelan County, $14.99 -- This sweet thing, produced by Wine Press Northwest's winery of the year, was $19.99. It's a flavorful, aromatic and slightly sweet blend of 85 percent Riesling and 15 percent Gewürztraminer.
Spokane area
Arbor Crest 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $5 -- Normally $11, it's a smooth, tasty white with pineapple and spices. Delicious with grilled seafood, summer salads and perfect for picnics.
Columbia Gorge
Phelps Creek 2007 Celilo rosé, Columbia Gorge, $12 -- A perfect picnic sipper from a Hood River winery, this Merlot rosé one has lovely components of cherries, spice and acids. It's usually $15.
*Bob Woehler has been writing about Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.
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