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For those of you just beginning to discover Washington State as a wine growing region and wine tasting destination hot spot—or if you’re new to wine in general—prepare yourself to be hooked on Washington wine! In fact, you can taste all of Washington right here in this microcosm known as Woodinville Wine Country, just 30 minutes from Seattle.

By: Shelly Fitzgerald

Setting the Stage for a Burgeoning Wine IndustryIn the early 1990s Washington emerged as one of the great growing

regions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This was in large contrast

to just a few years earlier when most Washington growers were

focused on Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, and other white varietals.

With the overwhelming success of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot,

referred to as noble grape varietals, a foundation was laid for two

more grape varietals to make a splash: Syrah and Riesling. More than

40 varieties are now grown in Washington, which creates a rich and

diverse experience for wine lovers.

By the late 2000s, Washington established itself with a reputation

for premium wine at affordable prices. Strong quality and fair prices

opened the doors for more people to experience and try the wines of

Washington, without the inhibitions of breaking the bank.

The Cascade Mountain range separates the eastern and western

portion of the state and creates a rain shadow effect that holds the rain

on the west side, dropping a mere 6-10 inches on the eastern portion

and creating a continental climate. Together, the limited rainfall, Basalt

Volcanic bedrock, and nutrient poor top soil created a region meant for

grape growing. It’s an area that is often described as having new world

fruit with old world acidity and structure.

Enter Woodinville Wine CountryAlthough the vineyards are situated in

eastern Washington, the majority of

the population is located in western

Washington, creating a need for a

destination area to showcase these

wines. This selected destination took

form in the town of Woodinville,

Washington, a 30 minute drive from

the heart of Seattle. It all started when

Chateau Ste. Michelle decided to locate

here in 1976, and it’s now home to more

than 100 working wineries and tasting

rooms.

One question I am often asked is: “what

are the steps for wine tasting?” It seems

simple, but there really is something

to this question. We all know how to

drink, but tasting is something different

altogether. Here’s a quick how-to guide

to help get you started.

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Shelly's Tips for Tasting Like a Pro:

Visually look for clues in the wine, such as determining a wine’s age. White wine gets darker with age, while reds lighten and become brickish or orange. As red wine ages, it drops tannin which can also cause a loss of color.

The growing climate of the grapes also makes an impact on color. Cooler climates produce lighter colored wines, while warmer climates give more color extraction, creating darker wines.

The type of grape variety will also determine how much color can be extracted from its skins.

Another component of sight is viscosity, which is the wine’s liquid consistency. Thin legs typically mean low alcohol and little or no residual sugar. Thick and slow legs typically mean higher alcohol or residual sugar.

So raise your glass to the light and take a look!

Your nose detects thousands of smells, but putting them to common language is tough and takes practice.

Start by swirling the wine. This aerates and releases the aromas in the wine. Geek Speak: “Volatizing the esters so that the aromas can be detected by the olfactory bulb.”

Next put your nose in the glass and sniff. You’ll pick up many different aromas of fruit, earth, flowers, spice, oak etc. Get comfortable talking out loud about the smells you detect. Be brave! What you smell is what you smell. Most smells are related to our memories, and you’ll be amazed at the aromas you recognize.

Take a sip of the wine and if you’re courageous, aerate the wine by pulling in air through your mouth. This definitely takes some practice to achieve without dribbling. Getting the wine to cover your entire palate is key. We are able to detect certain tastes in wine naturally: Sweet (residual sugar), sour (acidity), bitter (tannin), Umami (savory).

Once you swallow (or spit the wine out, if you are tasting many wines and need to pace yourself), think about what’s happening in your mouth: Is your mouth watering? For how long? Did the flavor linger or dissipate quickly? What other flavors did you come up with?

There are four simple guidelines to help you become a better wine taster:

After you finish tasting, it’s time to reflect on your impression of the wine. At this point you become the expert because no matter what conclusion you arrive at, it’s dependent on whether you would purchase, cellar or drink this wine again.

Wine education is a lifelong journey and an enjoyable one for sure. With every bottle you open you can improve your tasting skills and train your palate. Keep exploring and continue to experience the unique flavors of Woodinville Wine Country.

Shelly Fitzgerald, CS, CSW | Wine Education Specialist, Columbia Winery

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Richard Duval Images

Wine Education ExperiencesAt Columbia Winery, our enthusiasm for wine is second only to our desire to share our knowledge with you. Wine can be fun, accessible, and not at all stuffy! Visit us and explore the wonderful world of wine, with wine education experiences geared for every knowledge level. Look for scheduled classes at http://www.columbiawinery.com/wine-education or call to arrange a personalized experience. Start with one of our most popular offerings below and check back often for new class additions.

WINE 101

This class lays a foundation for anyone who is excited about and interested in wine. Discover major wine growing regions, important grape varietals, and the significance and meaning of terroir. While tasting through a flight of wine, you’ll learn the techniques of how to taste like a wine professional.

$25 per person/60 minutes

WINE & CHEESE PAIRING

Sip and taste your way through the history of cheese in this interactive wine and cheese pairing. Discover an array of cheese thoughtfully paired with a variety of wines. You’ll learn about the cheese making process and walk away with an appreciation of why these two are truly the perfect pairing.

$40 per person/90 minutes

EXPLORING WHAT’S IN THE GLASS

Learn how to evaluate and taste wine like a professional. Discover the techniques of smell, sip, taste, and evaluate. Speak the language of wine, explore wine tasting techniques and wow your friends with all your wine knowledge. You will also enjoy an in-depth conversation about the most important wine growing regions of Washington State, the winemaking process, and the grape varietals used in our premium wines. Discover the youthful history of the Washington wine industry and the signature role Columbia Winery has played since the beginning.

$30 per person/90 minutes

Columbia Winery 425.482.7490 14030 NE 145th Street, Woodinville, WA columbiawinery.com Tasting room hours: 11 am - 6 pm daily and 11 am - 7 pm on Fridays

For more information or to book a personalized wine education experience, contact Shelly at shelly.fitzgerald@columbiawinery.com.