For anyone who has been following my posts these last couple of years, it should be readily apparent that I am biased toward Oregon wine. That said, this bias may not exist for reasons solely associated with my subjective taste preferences. In the last year, I have come to realize my personal journey with wine, especially that comprised of Oregon fruit, may be just as much about my past as it is about my palate. While I am a Texan by birth and an Okie by childhood, both branches of my family tree have firm roots in the state...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

When it comes to blogging about the people and places producing wine in Washington state, there is one site that stands out for its focused, in-depth coverage: Sean Sullivan's Washington Wine Report. With his independent blog, Sean's mission is "bringing Washington wine to you and bringing you to Washington wine". Having followed the Washington Wine Report since its launch in June 2007, Sean has clearly fulfilled this mission, at least with this reader. In fact, Sean's success in connecting me to Washington wine is best articulated in a couple of recent posts on his blog. The first piece, Best...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It's only fitting that Scott Paul Wines serve as the inaugural post for my new "Connections" series. This Carlton-based producer truly epitomizes what it means to connect consumers to the larger context offered in wine, especially that which exists between the old and new worlds of winemaking. How does Scott Paul accomplish these connections? First and foremost, Scott Paul has distinguished itself for pouring and selling an ever expanding portfolio of Burgundy wines alongside their Oregon pinot noirs: Cuvée Martha Pirrie, La Paulée and Audrey. Not only does this approach offer a constructive frame of reference to each tasting...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

BeyondtheBottle.com's genesis arose from the notion that wine was something more than just a beverage, that in each bottle opened a story should be shared about the people, places, and period supporting its creation. It is this story that serves to connect us to something larger and deeper, not only about ourselves but also the world we inhabit. To this day, it amazes me how this notion is lost on many producers, who craft a quality wine, yet come up short in terms of sharing a story behind their product. Far too often, there is little, if anything, offered...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)