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Amy Rootvik - Walla Walla
Grape Expectations
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Through The Walla Walla Grapevine
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Oregon Wine Blogs

Élevage
The Inspired Imbiber 2.0
The Oregon Wine Blog
The Pinotguy's Wine Blog
The Wine Commentator
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Willamette Valley Guide
The Wine Camp Blog
Wine & Food Experiences

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Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail
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Southern Oregon Wineries
Spokane Wineries
Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
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Wine Yakima Valley
Woodinville Wine Country

Other Wine Blogs

Dr. Vino
Fermentation
Good Grape
Jamie Goode's Wine Blog
oenoLogic
The Pour
Vinography
Vivi's Wine Journal
Wine Cast

Main

June 23, 2008

Vitis Vinifera: The Beauty Inside

Can you see the beauty inside of me? What happened to the beauty I had inside of me? Bono wasn't thinking of wine when he wrote these lyrics for the song, City of Blinding Lights. But they immediately came to mind when recently sampling a number of over-ripe, over-oaked, over-alcohol, over-everything wines from our region. While swirling, sniffing, and tasting these wines, it was as if the grapes were sadly asking, "Can you see the beauty inside of me?", in hopes that something might be left to express their true nature. Alas, it was not to be, for it...

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Posted by Thad at 07:31 PM | | Comments (0)

June 13, 2008

Living On Tulsa Wine

This week, my wife, Kari, and our two daughters, are in Tulsa, visiting my mother, siblings and a lot of cousins. With Seattle colder than Siberia these days, this trip offers us an opportunity to get a jump start on summer time weather (it's 90 degrees with 100% humidity here). Whenever traveling out this way, we like to bring a taste of the Pacific Northwest with us, especially for my mom, Terry, who is from Oregon. But with luggage restrictions and security issues discouraging us to carry on seafood and wine, we decided to ship some Copper River salmon...

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Posted by Thad at 10:53 AM | | Comments (0)

May 25, 2008

Robert Mondavi: Lasting Connections

Of all the recent blog posts and news articles on the passing of Robert Mondavi, it is the personal stories that recount connections made by meeting Mondavi or experiencing his wines that are the most captivating and inspiring. These stories demonstrate the rewards that come in getting to know the people behind the wine they craft. They also show how certain wines can create connections to periods and places in our lives that will remain with us for decades to come. As to understanding the person behind the wine, two bloggers on opposite coasts described similar experiences when meeting Robert...

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Posted by Thad at 01:40 PM | | Comments (0)

May 21, 2008

Why being "best" no longer matters

It seems you see the superlative "best" being overused in a variety of situations these days in print, on television, radio, and online. When considering its use with wine, "best" has clearly reached a point of becoming gratuitous. "Best wines" are no longer reserved for end of year features, for this adjective has become ubiquitous in magazines, tv shows, blogs and podcasts. As a result, it no longer seems to hold much value. Consider the ad above for a moment, which positions the Waterbrook 2005 Mélange as the "best American red wine". Is that what the folks at Waterbrook...

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Posted by Thad at 08:12 PM | | Comments (0)

May 20, 2008

The Logos of Thor Iverson

Even though I subscribe to dozens of wine blog feeds, there are but a handful of sites that provide truly meaningful learning experiences helping to further my wine knowledge. Thor Iverson of oenoLogic is one of those few wine bloggers whose writings grab my attention, invite me to read, and encourage me to study. His recent posts on alcohol levels in wine are terrific examples of how Thor can take a current blog topic and expound on it in a way that takes you beyond what has already been stated, resulting in a deeper understanding of wine. Thor is...

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Posted by Thad at 09:00 PM | | Comments (2)

May 03, 2008

Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir: 1997 vs. 2004

While on a trip to the Oregon coast eight years ago, Kari and I spent a day visiting wineries in the northern Willamette Valley. It was our first trip to Oregon pinot noir country and to be honest I came away unimpressed with the wines. Looking back, I know why this was the case, for it was in that year, 2000, that I was fully immersed in full-bodied, high octane wines such as California zinfandels, Australian shiraz and Washington syrah, just to name a few. On that fateful trip, I purchased a bottle of Argyle 1997 Nuthouse Pinot Noir...

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Posted by Thad at 12:48 PM | | Comments (0)

April 30, 2008

Vino Volo: Flights and Connections

Last August, I blogged about my experience at Vino Volo, a new wine bar located at Sea-Tac Airport. As a result of this review, I was interviewed a few weeks ago by a travel writer, Susan Catto, who was working on a New York Times article about fine dining in airports. The article, And Now, Foie Gras for People on the Go, appeared in today's edition as part of a special section on business travel with a feature on Vino Volo. After chatting with Susan, I started thinking more about how air travel today remains a study in contrasts....

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Posted by Thad at 07:28 AM | | Comments (2)

April 20, 2008

Access Has Its Privileges

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend various events at Taste Washington as a member of the wine media. This was the first year I had gone to Taste Washington as a wine blogger, which made the experience truly extraordinary. Why? In years past, I had been to the event as either a wine consumer or winery volunteer. While both roles offered enjoyable experiences, they pale in comparison to the treatment I received as a wine blogger covering the weekend's events. Winemakers or winery staff who might have just poured me a glass were now...

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Posted by Thad at 01:28 PM | | Comments (0)

April 02, 2008

Weekend in Walla Walla

Yesterday I returned from a few days in Walla Walla visiting family. Weather wise, it was a bizarre weekend for late March, with snow showers throughout the day on Sunday. I did get a chance to visit a couple of wineries and eat at a few restaurants, which I will be writing about in the coming week. I was really jazzed about the wine experiences that were a result of this short trip. After going thru pages of notes that have yet to be crafted into worthwhile reading, I am feeling way behind on sharing my experiences with Washington and...

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Posted by Thad at 08:21 PM | | Comments (0)

March 03, 2008

Reducing bias in wine reviews

Andy Perdue of The Wine Knows recently posted about his approach to reviewing wines, which he conducts through "blind" tastings. Without knowing the winery or winemaker behind each wine, Andy prefers to conduct his tastings in two ways, either "single blind" (e.g., wine variety or style) or "double blind" (e.g., wine color only). His post sheds some useful light on how some reviewers try to minimize bias, that is any subjectivity or prejudice that might skew a rating higher or lower. Reducing bias is a key focus in any market research, as you want to generate data and insights that...

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Posted by Thad at 08:00 PM | | Comments (0)

February 18, 2008

The Dysfunctional House of Mondavi

I couldn't finish this book. I was halfway through and just couldn't bring myself to reading any more pages detailing the dysfunction of the Mondavi family. The sibling rivalries, the raw greed, the marital affairs, and the suffering children who repeated this dysfunctional cycle across several generations. What a sad, pitiful tale Julia Flynn Siler has crafted in "The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty". If you can get past Siler's overlapping sequence of events from chapter to chapter, you'll find a story that leaves little to be desired. The book clearly validates...

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Posted by Thad at 01:53 PM | | Comments (0)

January 14, 2008

Why don't reviewers disclose alcohol levels?

Over the last year, I have read a variety of columns, articles and posts regarding the high levels of alcohol in wine. While I welcome more focus on this important issue, it seems most reviewers approach this topic speaking in general terms, as they most often do whenever imparting criticism. There is a tendency to call out states (e.g., California) or regions (e.g., Amadour County), but rarely specific wines or wineries. Reviewers are all too eager to lament high alcohol, but none seem willing to take the step toward disclosing alcohol levels in the wines they review. A few cases...

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Posted by Thad at 08:52 PM | | Comments (0)

December 17, 2007

Is it the wine or is it me?

Over the weekend, I think my palate got out of whack. On Saturday evening, we popped a 2006 Elk Cove Willamette Valley Pinot Gris to go with the Asian chicken stir fry dish Kari crafted. I tasted the wine and thought it was a crisp, dry accompaniment to our meal. Meanwhile, my wife was drinking it and thought it tasted somewhat sweet, going so far as to think it was a riesling. Two glasses and all I could taste was a crisp, slightly flat pinot gris. On Sunday evening, we opened a 2005 Witness Tree Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir...

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Posted by Thad at 07:18 PM | | Comments (0)

December 06, 2007

Breaking the Unspoken Code

In a recent Seattle Times wine column, Paul Gregutt made an interesting statement regarding his colleagues in the wine press: "There is a sort of unspoken code among many in the wine press not to be too critical of specific wines or wineries. The logic is that it's better to point out the successes and let the failures slide." I would have enjoyed hearing Gregutt expound on the logic underlying this "unspoken code". I believe there is a clear reason for its existence: incentives compel reviewers to remain focused on writing only about successes, with those calling out failures risking...

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Posted by Thad at 03:08 PM | | Comments (4)

November 09, 2007

A Day in Oregon Wine Country

Yesterday, I had the chance to spend an entire afternoon in the Willamette Valley visiting wineries in Yamhill County. It was a great day, meeting friendly staff, visiting some picturesque places, and discovering some really good wine. I will be writing detailed accounts of my experiences in the coming week, but wanted to provide a quick rundown of the places visited. After a delicious lunch at Tina's in Dundee, I began my tour at Anne Amie Vineyards, then visited Soléna Cellars and Scott Paul Wines in downtown Carlton, moving on to Cana's Feast Winery, and finally ending my day...

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Posted by Thad at 08:19 AM | | Comments (0)

November 07, 2007

The Sanctity of the Family Dinner

A few weeks back I finished reading The Omnivore's Dilemma, a fantastic book that explores the dilemma facing all humans each and every day: what to have for dinner? Polan focuses his book on the American food culture, detailing the various food chains we depend on to fill our dinner plates or takeout bags (a fifth of all meals are consumed in the car). Polan's investigation led him down the industrial, pastoral and personal food chains, where he reveals the historical, political and economic forces that have shaped each. Best of all, he culminates his investigative reporting with a...

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Posted by Thad at 09:50 AM | | Comments (0)

October 19, 2007

Review: The Emperor of Wine

I am no fan of Robert Parker, but am better off as a wine enthusiast for having read Elin McCoy's biography, "The Emperor of Wine: The Rise of Robert M. Parker, Jr. and the Reign of American Taste". As the title suggests, McCoy's book is divided into two parts: the incredible rise of Parker as a wine reviewer and then his role leading the American influence over the global wine industry. In addition to educating me about the man, I also learned a ton about the wine industry in general, especially the history and culture of the Bordeaux and...

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Posted by Thad at 12:16 PM | | Comments (0)

September 19, 2007

Experiencing the crush of harvest season

The cooler temps and shortening days here in the Pacific Northwest signal the harvest season is upon us and with it comes crush. While reading the updates on this year's harvest, I am reminded of Brian Doyle's excellent book, "The Grail: A Year Ambling & Shambling Through an Oregon Vinyard in Pursuit of the Best Pinot Noir Wine in the Whole Wild World". If you have ever been curious about what it's like to work in a vineyard and/or winery during crush, then this is the book to read. In this wonderful account, Doyle shares the year he spent...

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Posted by Thad at 09:21 AM | | Comments (0)

July 22, 2007

Seattle Magazine's 2007 Wine Guide

When this month's Seattle Magazine arrived in the mail, I noticed a cover feature entitled, "Washington Wines: 24 Hot New Releases". Opening the magazine, I expected yet another "best of" article on Washington wine, complete with ratings and reviews. To my pleasant surprise, the feature really went beyond the bottle by focusing on the history, people and places behind Washington wine. I really enjoyed seeing the group photos identifying some of the state's wine pioneers and families, as well as the next generation of folks involved in growing, making and selling wine. The insightful articles on new viticulture areas, the...

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Posted by Thad at 02:17 PM | | Comments (1)

June 02, 2007

Going Beyond the Bottle

One of the things I enjoy most about wine is how each bottle can connect me to people and places, near and far, past and present. Wine makes me think about where, when, how, and even why it was made. As I have experienced wine through the years, my desire to better understand each wine's context, to go beyond the bottle, has become insatiable. Why? Most importantly, wine encourages me to stop and think about things I would otherwise not take time to ponder. When opening a new bottle, I often turn to my trusty wine encyclopedia, look up the...

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Posted by Thad at 09:50 PM | | Comments (0)

May 23, 2007

Do you know what you're drinking?

Over the past few years, more and more folks have been putting down their forks and asking, "what am I eating?". The impact of mass produced food has certainly reduced prices at the grocery, but these savings come at an increasing cost in terms of public health risk. Remember the contaminated spinach and peanut butter that showed up in groceries across the nation? With good reason, it now appears wine consumers should be asking, "what am I drinking?". The Seattle Times featured an interesting and informative article entitled, "What's in your wine — and should they tell you?". Reading this...

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Posted by Thad at 11:49 AM | | Comments (0)

May 16, 2007

Washington Wine History Lesson

Any study of Washington wine history must include Chateau Ste. Michelle, the state's oldest winery. Chateau Ste. Michelle is not only responsible for putting Washington state on the map, but continues to serve as a rising tide for the rest of the industry. Although I am not a frequent consumer of their wines, I admire them because of their contributions to the state's wine industry. For example, they serve as host to the annual Washington Wine Highway event, which features over 70 wineries and 50 restaurants from around the state. If you enjoy sampling wine and good food outdoors, then...

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Posted by Thad at 03:15 PM | | Comments (0)

May 09, 2007

The Wine Bar Advantage

When I can't get out to connect to the people and places making wine in the Pacific Northwest, where do I turn? Or when I want something different from the experience provided in a winery or at a tasting event, where do I go? A local wine bar! Seattle has been fertile ground for wine bars over the past few years. In fact, I was surprised to see how many new places have sprung up after reading an article entitled, Wine of the Times, in Seattle Metropolitan magazine. I've had the opportunity to dine at a variety of wine bars...

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Posted by Thad at 12:51 PM | | Comments (0)

May 03, 2007

Winery Reviews and Ratings

Whenever I visit a winery, the one thing I look for more than anything else is a connection to the wine beyond the bottle. What makes this connection happen? Stories. Stories about the people and places behind the wine I am sampling. The more unique and understandable the stories being shared, the better the winery experience for me. This connection is what ultimately determines whether or not I would recommend a winery to family, friends or you. It also influences what I buy. In fact, I would much rather visit a winery that serves mediocre wines but offers a deep...

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Posted by Thad at 04:49 PM | | Comments (0)

May 02, 2007

Welcome to Beyond the Bottle

Hello! With each bottle of Pacific Northwest wine you consider buying or enjoy drinking, there are a variety of stories that can be shared from people and places throughout Washington and Oregon. That's why I decided to create this blog, to share these experiences with other wine enthusiasts who, like me, are seeking a deeper connection to wine beyond that provided in the bottle. I have been seeking this connection, the heart and soul of Pacific Northwest wine, for over ten years now as I have traveled throughout my home state of Washington and the surrounding region. My travels...

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Posted by Thad at 11:59 PM | | Comments (4)

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