This week’s Wine Word of the Week is vintage charts.

Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine:
Vintage charts are both useful and notoriously fallible, partly because young vintage assessment is so fraught with difficulty. Most vintage charts take the form of a grid mapping ratings for each combination of wine region and year.

Layman’s terms from Kori:
Vintage charts are charts compiled by wine critics to rate the quality and drinkability of the wines from a particular wine region in a given year.

September 30th would have been my dad’s 100th birthday. He and my mom were married 52 years before he passed away in 1990. Despite an education interrupted in the eighth grade to go to work to help support the family, Dad was a successful businessman, church leader, and school board member in Texas City, Texas. I never heard him use a curse word in his entire life, and he always had a big smile on his face. Thanks, Dad, for the good example you set for us.

In honor of my dad, LaGayle and I along with Kori, Colby, and granddaughter Sydney, had a great birthday dinner with a very special wine that I had saved for the occasion, a 1986 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. LaGayle prepared one of her fabulous dinners that included a mixed green salad, grilled filet mignon, baked sweet potatoes, and balsamic roasted green beans. Dad would have loved it!

Chateau Mouton Rothschild is one of the famous First Growths of Bordeaux, the only one elevated to that status after the original 1855 classification. After years and years of lobbying by then-owner Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild was promoted to First Growth (or Premier Cru) status in 1973. Today, Chateau Mouton Rothschild is owned by his daughter Baroness Philippine and her children and continues to be regarded as one of the world’s finest wines.

While the 1986 Mouton had been rated 100 points by Robert Parker and touted as one of Jancis Robinson’s tasting group favorites, this bottle on this night was not quite that good, nor quite as good as the 1982 Mouton that we had earlier this year for Open That Bottle Night, although it was still an outstanding wine.

1986 Chateau Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France): Deep, dark, garnet red in color. On the nose, black fruit, leather, a hint of spice, and an earthy funk which mostly blows off after some time in the glass. On the palate, still has good fruit, especially black plums and black currants. Delicious, chewy, and a lot of layers to this wine. Full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced with an extremely long finish. Decanted 2 hours prior to serving. The cork was in very good shape, the fill level still very good for a 24-year-old wine, and the alcohol was only 12.5%.
Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 1 bang for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Hart Davis Hart (Chicago, Illinois), $350; Available elsewhere, $700 to $1600

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2008 Turning Leaf Riesling from Pfalz, Germany.

Our selection criteria include:

• A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
• A price tag of <=$15
• Must be widely available

Turning Leaf Vineyards is one of the brands in the E. & J. Gallo Winery portfolio. E. & J. Gallo Winery, headquartered in Modesto, California, is the world’s largest family-owned winery and the largest exporter of California wine. Sixteen family members spanning three generations of the Gallo family actively work at the winery. Turning Leaf is one of the most recognized, value-priced wines in the United States.

“Turning Leaf expanded beyond its California roots and turned to the renowned Pfalz region in Germany for this crisp, aromatic Riesling. Shows a nice balance between sweetness and acidity. Fragrant aromas of lychee, pineapple and soft spice. We get subtle undertones of baked apple.” –Turning Leaf

2008 Turning Leaf Riesling (Pfalz, Germany): Medium, yellow gold in color. Aromatic with asparagus, minerality, and citrus aromas. More citrus fruits, orange peel, and a hint of honey come through on the palate. Off-dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $8; Available elsewhere, $6

Located in central Washington State halfway between Seattle and Spokane, Cascade Valley Wine Country is home to around 50 wineries and tasting rooms in Wenatchee, Chelan, and Leavenworth. The oldest wineries in the Cascade Valley Wine Country have only been in existence about a decade. However, in that short time, they have capitalized on the tourist-appeal of the area and have established a thriving wine community. The Wenatchee Valley sits in the heart of the Cascade Valley Wine Country. While Chelan and Leavenworth have been popular tourist destinations for years, long before wineries started opening in the area, Wenatchee itself has not garnered as much attention. Nevertheless, given its size, it boasts more amenities than either of those other two cities. That fact coupled with its location roughly halfway between Chelan and Leavenworth makes it an ideal home base for tourists visiting the region.

Prior to our recent trip touring the Cascade Valley Wine Country, I had not spent more than a few hours in the Wenatchee Valley. Wenatchee and East Wenatchee are two cities separated by the Columbia River but it really feels like one community. During our visit, we stayed at the Marriott SpringHill Suites that opened earlier this year, a hotel I would certainly consider staying in again the next time I’m in the area.

It is no wonder that the Wenatchee Valley, the self-proclaimed “Apple Capital of the World,” has ventured into other fruit growing endeavors like grapes. In our travels through wine country, we have found some of the best viticulturists have backgrounds in tree fruit growing. The Wenatchee Valley community is happy to promote all forms of agri-tourism. So whether apples are your thing or you prefer grapes, particularly fermented grapes, Wenatchee has something to offer.

The Wenatchee Valley is home to one of the top wineries in Washington State. Fielding Hills Winery, a small, family-owned winery, continues to garner numerous well-deserved accolades. Owner/winemaker Mike Wade and his wife Karen are longtime apple and cherry growers who have turned a middle portion of their orchard near Mattawa into a vineyard. Their Riverbend Vineyard, planted in 1998, is in the Wahluke Slope AVA and is their sole source of grapes. Fielding Hills currently produces about 850 cases per year but will be increasing to about 1400 cases with the 2009 vintage. We have tasted their wines from their inaugural vintage in 2000 through their current releases and continue to be impressed. They are so consistent; it is not a question of whether their wines will be good but where they will fall on the quality spectrum between “very good” and “Wow!” In fact, we recognized Mike Wade as Best Winemaker in our Wine Peeps’ Best of 2009 in Washington Wine Country. They are open by appointment only so be sure to call ahead if you are going to be in the area; Fielding Hills is a stop you do not want to miss.

Another must-visit winery in the Wenatchee Valley is Saint Laurent Estate Winery, named for the patron saint of wine growers and vintners. Owners Mike and Laura Mrachek have built a beautiful tasting room and grounds that have gorgeous views of the Columbia River and surrounding valley. Craig Mitrakul has been the winemaker for Saint Laurent since 2004. Saint Laurent produces 4,500 cases per year, and their tasting room is open Friday through Sunday and for special events.

In addition to agri-tourism, the Wenatchee Valley also offers a host of other outdoor recreational activities including skiing at Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort, biking/walking along the Apple Capital Loop Trail, a scenic 11-mile paved trail along the Columbia River, as well as hiking and rafting. Wenatchee also has a quaint downtown with boutique shopping and dining options.

As was the case during our entire trip to the Cascade Valley Wine Country, we found the people of Wenatchee to be very friendly and welcoming. They seemed to truly love where they live and what they do. While the wine quality really runs the gamut, there are more than enough good wines and wine country experiences to be had. Given the gorgeous scenery and recreational opportunities, the Wenatchee Valley is a fun destination for the whole family. For more information about planning a trip to the area, visit the websites for Cascade Valley Wine Country and the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau.

Red beans and rice is a favorite “Louisiana” dish. It is a traditional Creole dish; however, over the years, it has become very generally used by everyone. It is just as popular in restaurants as in homes.

Red beans and rice originated out of the need for an easy meal on “washday” in the Creole community. So, on Mondays, the usual day for doing laundry, it was easy to put on a pot of red beans and let them simmer while the chores were being done. Ham was a traditional Sunday meal, so the leftover ham bone was thrown into the pot along with the beans. Then at mealtime in the evening, it was just a matter of preparing some white rice and possibly some sausage, and dinner was ready!

There are just about as many recipes for this dish as there are cooks who prepare it because flavors can be tweaked to the desired tastes. The most common ingredients along with the beans and ham are onion, bell pepper, celery, and a variety of seasonings. Andouille sausage is often used; although, any smoked sausage will do. Some people serve the sausage on the side while others slice it and put it directly into the pot with the other ingredients. For the most part, the dish itself is mild, so hot sauce such as Tabasco is often put on the table as a condiment.

Our red beans and rice meal for this month’s challenging wine pairing included the red beans and rice with ham and Andouille sausage all included in the mixture, broccoli, red onion, and green olive salad with a yogurt dressing, and jalapeno cornbread muffins. I know, I know…jalapeno cornbread with a Creole dish? I just could not help myself; I had to throw in a little spice! And, they went great with the meal.

In selecting the wines to pair with this meal, once again, I referred to my favorite book, What to Drink with What you Eat by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page and decided on a Zinfandel and a Gewurztraminer. With the red beans and rice, we enjoyed the 2007 Trio Vintners Zinfandel from Pheasant Vineyard in Washington’s Wahluke Slope AVA and the 2008 Sineann Gewurztraminer from Celilo Vineyard on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge AVA. (Note: Sineann Winery is located in Newberg, Oregon.) Both wines, as you will see in the tasting notes below, are excellent; however, the unanimous choice as the best pairing with the red beans and rice was the Gewurztraminer.

We’d love for you to share in the comments what you would have paired with this meal. And, as always, we welcome your suggestions for challenging wine pairings for us to try in the future.

Bon Appétit!

2008 Sineann Gewurztraminer (Celilo Vineyard, Columbia Gorge, Washington): Pale, straw yellow in color. Very aromatic with pear and green apple on the nose. More pear, citrus fruits, honey, and white peach come through on the palate. Dry and medium-bodied with lively acidity. Well-balanced with a long, refreshing finish. Gets even better with food.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $18; Available elsewhere, $19 to $22

2007 Trio Vintners Zinfandel (Pheasant Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, Washington): Deep, purplish red. Nice nose with aromas of buttered popcorn, leather, and red fruits. More red fruits, especially raspberry, and a hint of earth on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with lively acidity and medium to high tannins. Well-balanced and smooth with a long finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Winery, $26; Available elsewhere, $26

Woodinville has definitely become a must-visit destination in Washington wine country. Home of the state’s oldest, largest, and most well-known wineries, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Winery, the Woodinville area is also home to over 90 wineries and tasting rooms, with new ones opening all the time. Woodinville now boasts the second largest concentration of Washington wineries after Walla Walla and is located just 17 miles northeast of Seattle. Today, Woodinville is one of the Seattle area’s top tourist attractions, with at least 18 tasting rooms open daily and upwards of 70 open on the weekend. I am not aware of another place in the U.S. where there are this many fine wineries so close to a major city.

Due to its close proximity to Seattle, we have visited Woodinville several times in the last month or so. We focused our visits predominately on wineries whose current Woodinville tasting rooms we had not previously visited; although, in many cases, we have tasted their wines at one time or another. In addition to these visits, we also recently had an extended visit and interview with Rod and Leslie Balsley at William Church Winery and attended the Woodinville Wine Country “Taste for the Trade” event in Seattle. We capped off our most recent visit to Woodinville as guests of Chateau Ste. Michelle for a fabulous Harry Connick, Jr. concert that was a part of their Summer Concert Series.

If you haven’t made a Woodinville wine tasting trip yet, I highly encourage you to do so whether you live in Seattle and are looking for a fun afternoon outing or you are vacationing in the area. (Click here for our updated .pdf list of Woodinville wineries/tasting rooms including website, address, phone, and hours.)

Obviously with over 90 wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville today, it is impossible to visit them all in an afternoon or even a long weekend. However, there are several areas with concentrations of wineries/tasting rooms within Woodinville that makes it easy to focus your visits on different areas. You may want to visit the warehouse district one day, the Hollywood Schoolhouse area another day, and the stand-alones (Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia, Novelty Hill/Januik, etc.) another day. No matter where in Woodinville you are going, if you do not like crowds and would rather avoid the limos carrying bachelorette partygoers, you might want to visit on a day other than Saturday.

Here’s a breakdown of the wines that we tasted during our recent visits to Woodinville. Under each Quality heading, the wine name and region will be listed along with price and QPR rating. Wines in bold type received a QPR rating of 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5).

Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
2008 Hollywood Hill Vineyards Mourvedre, Horse Heaven Hills, $34, QPR: 5
2008 Obelisco Estate Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $60, QPR: 5
2007 Mark Ryan Lonely Heart Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $75, QPR: 5
2008 Gorman Winery The Evil Twin Syrah/Cab, Red Mountain, $60, QPR: 4
2007 Gorman Winery The Albatross Cab/Petit Verdot, Red Mountain, $80, QPR: 3

Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
2006 Robert Ramsay Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, $20, QPR: 5
2008 Alexandria Nicole Quarry Butte (Cab-based blend), Horse Heaven Hills, $20, QPR: 5
2009 Gorman Winery Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $25 [375ml], QPR: 5
2008 Obelisco Estate Tejen Merlot, Red Mountain, $30, QPR: 5
2006 Ross Andrew Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 5
2007 Robert Ramsay Upland Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Snipes Mountain, $38, QPR: 5
2007 Gorman Winery The Bully Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $42, QPR: 5
2007 Ross Andrew Boushey Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley, $28, QPR: 4
2006 Chatter Creek Clifton Hill Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $28, QPR: 4
2007 Pepper Bridge Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $50, QPR: 4
2008 Alexandria Nicole Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $38, QPR: 3
2008 JM Cellars Longevity (Bordeaux-style blend), Columbia Valley, $38, QPR: 3
2007 Baer Winery Arctos (Cab-based blend), Columbia Valley, $41, QPR: 3
2008 Gorman Winery The Pixie Syrah, Red Mountain, $42, QPR: 3
2007 Robert Ramsay Mourvedre, Horse Heaven Hills, $42, QPR: 3
2008 Mark Ryan Wild Eyed Syrah, Red Mountain, $45, QPR: 3
2008 Mark Ryan Viognier, Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 2
2008 Mark Ryan Crazy Mary Mourvedre, Red Mountain, $45, QPR: 2

Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
2008 Alexandria Nicole Steel Horse Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Hills, $14, QPR: 4
2009 Baer Winery Shard (unoaked Chardonnay), Columbia Valley, $21, QPR: 4
2008 Tempest Sol Syrah, Yakima Valley, $21, QPR: 4
2006 Chatter Creek Lonesome Spring Ranch Syrah, Yakima Valley, $22, QPR: 4
2008 Alexandria Nicole Gravity Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $24, QPR: 4
2007 Alexandria Nicole Jet Black Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25, QPR: 4
2008 JM Cellars Merlot, Red Mountain, $35, QPR: 4
2009 Flying Dreams Little Red Rosé, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: 3
2008 Gecko Malbec, Wahluke Slope, $20, QPR: 3
2008 Mark Ryan Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 3
2007 Amavi Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $28, QPR: 3
2008 Obelisco Estate Tejen Syrah, Red Mountain, $30, QPR: 3
2008 Obelisco Estate Tejen Red Blend, Red Mountain, $30, QPR: 3
2008 Mark Ryan The Dissident Red, Columbia Valley, $32, QPR: 3
2007 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $55, QPR: 3
2006 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $55, QPR: 3
2009 Alexandria Nicole Crawford Viognier, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: 2
2009 Alexandria Nicole Shepherds Mark (Rouss/Marsanne/Viog), Horse Heaven Hills, $20, QPR: 2
2007 Michael Florentino Tempranillo, Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 2
2008 Obelisco Estate Tejen Malbec, Red Mountain, $30, QPR: 2
2008 Hollywood Hill Vineyards Grenache, Horse Heaven Hills, $30, QPR: 2
2007 Baer Winery Ursa (Merlot-based blend), Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 2
2009 Gorman Winery The Big Sissy Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 2
2006 JM Cellars Columbia Valley Cuvee (Bordeaux-style blend), Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 2
2007 Robert Ramsay Boushey Vineyards Syrah, Yakima Valley, $38, QPR: 2
2007 Alexandria Nicole Duck Press Red, Horse Heaven Hills, $38, QPR: 2
2008 Alexandria Nicole Members Only (Rhone-style blend), Horse Heaven Hills, $42, QPR: 1
2007 JM Cellars Nietos (Red blend), Columbia Valley, $55, QPR: 1

Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
2008 Tempest Sol Rosé (Merlot), Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: 4
2007 Gecko Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $17, QPR: 4
2008 Mark Ryan The Vincent Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: 4
2007 Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $28, QPR: 4
2009 Convergence Zone Riesling, Yakima Valley, $15, QPR: 3
2003 JM Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley, $22, QPR: 3
2008 Tempest Sol Dusk (Merlot/Syrah), Yakima Valley, $24, QPR: 3
2006 Ross Andrew Syrah-Cabernet Blend, Columbia Valley, $25, QPR: 3
2009 Gecko Cellars Rosé, Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: 2
2009 Ross Andrew Celilo Vineyard Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge, $18, QPR: 2
2007 Chatter Creek Viognier, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: 2
2008 Chatter Creek Grenache, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: 2
2008 Chatter Creek Orange Muscat, Lonesome Spring Ranch, Yakima Valley, $18, QPR: 2
2008 Gorman Winery Zachary’s Ladder Red Blend, Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 2
2009 Flying Dreams Coquette Sauvignon Blanc, Spring Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: 1
2009 JM Cellars Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 1

Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
2008 Ross Andrew Meadow (Pinot Blanc basically), Willamette Valley (OR), $16, QPR: NR
2009 Tempest Sol Riesling, Yakima Valley, $17, QPR: NR
2007 Michael Florentino Merlot, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: NR
2009 Lion’s Oak Sauvignon Blanc, Red Mountain, $20, QPR: NR

This week’s Wine Word of the Week is ripening.

Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine:
Ripening is the important process of grape development which is a prelude to harvest. Ripening begins when the berries soften at the stage called veraison and is concluded normally by harvest, which can occur at different stages for different wine styles. Ripening can be affected by many plant, pest and disease, and environmental factors, and is in many ways the most important vine process affecting wine quality since it is so crucially related to the chemical and physical composition of the harvested fruit, and so to eventual wine quality.

Layman’s terms from Kori:
Ripening is the process in the annual growth cycle of the vine that takes place between veraison and harvest. On a basic level, the resulting ripeness of the grapes refers to their sunshine-derived sugar levels.

Only in America (and in some other New World wine regions) can you plant whatever grapes you want to plant where you want to plant them, irrigate if you wish, harvest the grapes when you want to harvest at whatever sugar level you desire, blend varieties as you wish, so on and so forth. In other words, you can try just about anything you want, and then survive or die by the results. In Europe, you have to abide by strict rules and prohibitions on just about everything, unless you are content to make simple table wine.

I believe that this freedom to experiment has been a primary contributor to the relatively early success of our modern wine industry as compared to the centuries and centuries of wine production in Europe. Sure there have been and will continue to be failures, some significant, but this freedom has contributed to successes beyond all expectations as well.

Take Washington State, for example. As recently as 1973, there were effectively only two active wineries in the state, American Wine Growers (now Chateau Ste. Michelle) and Associated Vintners (now Columbia Winery). Today there are over 700 wineries in Washington. Because there has been so much experimentation with different grape varieties in Washington, the State of Washington has a unique position in the world of wine. It makes world-class wines of many different varietals.

A good case can be made in Washington for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux-style blends, Syrah, and Riesling, just to name a few. Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon have also done very well, not to mention relatively new plantings of many other varietals such as Malbec. Probably the most comprehensive listing of grape varietals growing in Washington today can be found in Paul Gregutt’s book, Washington Wines and Wineries, Second Edition.

In Europe, the emergence of a wine region like Washington State in such a small amount of time could not have happened. Once again we have seen the fruits [no pun intended] of a democratic society manifest itself, this time in wine. Only in America!

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2007 Brian Carter Cellars Abracadabra Red Wine from the Columbia Valley of Washington State.

Our selection criteria include:

• A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
• A price tag of <=$15
• Must be widely available

Brian Carter has over thirty years of winemaking experience in California and Washington. He arrived in Washington State in 1980 to be winemaker for Paul Thomas Winery and has since founded Apex Winery and served as consulting winemaker for a number of other wineries. He officially opened his own namesake winery, Brian Carter Cellars, in Woodinville in 2006. Brian Carter focuses on European-style blends. He admittedly buys more fruit than he needs to craft his primary Brian Carter wines in order to give him the most flexibility during blending. The leftovers go into his Abracadabra blend. But don’t be fooled, this is a high quality wine that is treated with the same care as the rest of the Brian Carter wines.

“Abracadabra is a blend which uses the same great red varietals and aged in quality oak barrels used in Brian Carter Cellars wines. However the blend varies each year depending on the ‘Magic’ of the harvest. While using traditional grape varieties, Abracadabra is anything but traditional in its final blend. Instead it is a bit unpredictable, curious, mysterious and amazingly delicious. Dark in color, the wine’s aroma has witches hats full of cherries, cedar and tobacco with pinches of anise, bacon and spice. Big flavors show soft, well-integrated tannins and food friendly acidity.” –Brian Carter, Winemaker

2007 Brian Carter Cellars Abracadabra Red Wine (Columbia Valley, Washington): 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 12% Syrah, 11% Sangiovese, 5% Malbec, 3% Grenache, and 3% Mourvedre. Deep, dark ruby red in color. Very aromatic with black fruits, earth, and smoke on the nose. Blackberry, black cherry, and licorice come through on the palate. Full-bodied with lively acidity and high, drying tannins. Well-balanced with good complexity and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Fred Meyer (Seattle, Washington), $15; Available elsewhere, $15

Located in central Washington State halfway between Seattle and Spokane, Cascade Valley Wine Country is home to around 50 wineries and tasting rooms in Wenatchee, Chelan, and Leavenworth. Cascade Valley Wine Country is a marketing alliance formed in 2009 by area wineries and funded by the Port of Chelan County and the Port of Douglas County to promote trade and tourism. Boasting majestic mountain and lake views and 300 days of sunshine per year, the region has been a tourist destination for years, long before wineries started opening in the area. The oldest wineries in the Cascade Valley Wine Country have only been in existence about a decade. However, in that short time, they have capitalized on the tourist-appeal of the area and have established a thriving wine community. The region also includes the Lake Chelan AVA, Washington State’s newest American Viticultural Area.

Recently, Colby and I had the opportunity to spend three days in the Cascade Valley Wine Country on a media tour hosted by the Cascade Valley Wine Country alliance. We had the pleasure to meet winemakers, visit wineries and vineyards, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Day One was spent in the Wenatchee Valley, the self-proclaimed “Apple Capital of the World.” Day Two took us to the shores of gorgeous Lake Chelan, the longest lake in Washington State and the third deepest lake in the United States. And we concluded our trip by spending Day Three in the quaint Bavarian Village of Leavenworth.

We tasted a total of 94 wines on this trip, a representative sampling of what is being produced in the Cascade Valley Wine Country. As you’ll see from my ratings below, the area is home to a few top-notch producers, a number of average producers, and some underperformers. The wine itself aside, the best part of the trip was the wonderful people we met along the way who truly love where they live and what they are doing.

In the coming weeks, I will be writing more about each of the three destination areas within the Cascade Valley Wine Country, the Wenatchee Valley, Lake Chelan, and Leavenworth. While the wine quality really runs the gamut, there are more than enough good wines and wine country experiences to be had. Given the gorgeous scenery and recreational opportunities, the area is a great get-away destination for everyone in the family, for wine lovers and teetotalers alike.

Here’s a breakdown of the wines that we tasted while visiting Cascade Valley Wine Country. Under each Quality heading, the wine name and region will be listed along with price and QPR rating. Wines in bold type received a QPR rating of 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5).

Quality: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
2008 Nefarious Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $30, QPR: 5
2008 Fielding Hills Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $36, QPR: 5
2007 Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $38, QPR: 5
2007 Fielding Hills Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $40, QPR: 5
2008 Fielding Hills Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, $30, QPR: 4

Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
2006 Saint Laurent Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $22, QPR: 5
2006 Saint Laurent Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $28, QPR: 5
2008 Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $42, QPR: 5
2009 Nefarious Consequence (Sauv Blanc/Aligote/Viog), Washington State, $18, QPR: 4
2008 Tsillan Cellars Estate Malbec, Lake Chelan, $25, QPR: 4
2008 Nefarious Rx-4 (Mourv/Syrah/Coun/Cins), Columbia Valley, $27, QPR: 4
2007 Hard Row to Hoe Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, $28, QPR: 4
2008 Fielding Hills Tribute Red Blend, Wahluke Slope, $32, QPR: 4
2007 Fielding Hills Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $36, QPR: 4
2008 Fielding Hills Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $38, QPR: 4
2007 Fielding Hills Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope, $30, QPR: 3

Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
2009 Saint Laurent Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12, QPR: 5
2008 Baroness Cellars Nebbiolo, Horse Heaven Hills, $22, QPR: 5
2008 Crayelle Cellars Dry Riesling, Washington State, $16, QPR: 4
2009 Nefarious Stone’s Throw Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: 4
2008 Tsillan Cellars Estate Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: 4
2007 Tsillan Cellars Estate Sinistra (Sangio/Nebb/Barb), Lake Chelan, $23, QPR: 4
NV Bergdorf Cellars Glühwein Lemberger, Red Mountain, $24, QPR: 4
2008 Martin-Scott Petite Sirah, Columbia Valley, $24.50, QPR: 4
2006 Benson Vineyards Syrah, Lake Chelan, $26.50, QPR: 4
2008 Nefarious Syrah, Defiance Vineyard, Lake Chelan, $27, QPR: 4
2007 Silvara Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, $29.50, QPR:  4
2006 Vin du Lac Barrel Select Merlot, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 4
2008 Tsillan Cellars Estate Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley, $16, QPR: 3
2008 Martin-Scott Malbec, Columbia Valley, $24.50, QPR: 3
2007 Benson Vineyards Rhythm (Syrah/Mer/CF/Sangio/Cab), Lake Chelan, $26, QPR: 3
2007 Tsillan Cellars Piccolo Rosso (Mer/CF/Nebb/Barb/Sangio), Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 3
2007 Tsillan Cellars Bellissima Rossa (Cab/Mer/CF), Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 3
2006 Chateau Faire Le Pont Milbrandt Syrah, Wahluke Slope, $30, QPR: 3
2007 Fielding Hills Tribute Red Blend, Wahluke Slope, $32, QPR: 3
2007 Karma Brut de Brut Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley, $45, QPR: 3
2008 Icicle Ridge Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $50, QPR: 3
2009 Nefarious Viognier, Defiance Vineyard, Lake Chelan, $19, QPR: 2
2009 Silvara Pinot Grigio, Wahluke Slope, $22, QPR: 2
2007 Napeequa Malbec, Columbia Valley, $32, QPR: 1
2005 Saint Laurent La Boheme (Cab/Mer/Syrah), Wahluke Slope, $42, QPR: 1
2006 Wedge Mountain Charlie’s Stash Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $80, QPR: 1

Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
2008 Martin-Scott Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12, QPR: 4
2007 Saint Laurent Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $14, QPR: 4
2006 Stemilt Creek Merlot, Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: 4
NV Vin du Lac Red Café Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: 4
2008 Silvara Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State, $22, QPR: 4
2007 Cascadia Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $28, QPR: 4
2008 Eagle Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $29, QPR: 4
2009 Stemilt Creek Sweet Adelaide (Ries/Gewurz/Chard), Columbia Valley, $12, QPR: 3
2008 Silvara Chardonnay, Washington State, $19, QPR: 3
2006 Wapato Point Red Delicious (Syrah/Sangio), Columbia Valley, $24, QPR: 3
2007 Tsillan Cellars Syrah-Grenache, Columbia Valley, $25, QPR: 3
2008 Tsillan Cellars Reserve Syrah, Lake Chelan, $25, QPR: 3
2006 Karma Estate Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $25, QPR: 3
2008 Wapato Point Reserve Pinot Noir, Lake Chelan, $32, QPR: 3
2007 Karma Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35, QPR: 3
2008 Tsillan Cellars Estate Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: 2
2006 Cascadia Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $24, QPR: 2
2007 Tsillan Cellars Estate Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $25, QPR: 2
2007 Napeequa Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $25, QPR: 2
2008 Benson Vineyards Sangiovese, Lake Chelan, $27, QPR: 2
2007 Tsillan Cellars Estate Barrel Select Syrah, Lake Chelan, $28, QPR: 2
2007 Napeequa Trailhead Merritt Lake Edition (Cab/Malb/Mer), Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 2
2005 Stemilt Creek Cabernet Franc, Washington State, $28, QPR: 2
2006 Wapato Point Syrah, Columbia Valley, $28, QPR: 2
2008 Kamari Black Label Reserve Red Blend, Walla Walla Valley, $34, QPR: 2
2009 Benson Vineyards Viognier, Lake Chelan, $19, QPR: 1
2009 Wapato Point Harmony (Pinot Grigio/Gewurz), Lake Chelan, $19, QPR: 1
2009 Icicle Ridge White Riesling, Washington State, $23.50, QPR: 1
2007 Wapato Point Reserve Merlot, Lake Chelan, $36, QPR: 1
2007 Vin du Lac Barrel Select Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $40, QPR: 1
2009 Icicle Ridge Müller-Thurgau Sparkling Wine, Washington State, $55, QPR: 1

Quality: 2.5 stars (out of 5)
2009 Martin-Scott Pinot Grigio, Columbia Valley, $14, QPR: NR
2006 Stemilt Creek Stemilt Hill Red, Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: NR
2009 Vin du Lac Les Amis Riesling (and friends), Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: NR
2009 Vin du Lac Red Café Rosé Cabernet Franc/Sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: NR
2007 Waterville Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $15, QPR: NR
2009 Cascadia Riesling, Columbia Valley, $16, QPR: NR
2008 Silvara Riesling, Washington State, $18, QPR: NR
2009 Benson Vineyards Curiosity (Viog/Chard), Lake Chelan, $18.50, QPR: NR
2009 Tsillan Cellars Estate Bocciolo di Rosa (Rosé of Syrah), Lake Chelan, $19, QPR: NR
2009 Napeequa Randonee Viognier, Columbia Valley, $19, QPR: NR
2007 Vin du Lac LEHM Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20, QPR: NR
2009 Wapato Point Pinot Grigio, Lake Chelan, $22, QPR: NR
2009 Tsillan Cellars Estate Pinot Grigio, Lake Chelan, $23, QPR: NR
2008 Eagle Creek Montage (CF/Mer), Columbia Valley, $23, QPR: NR
2006 Stemilt Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $24, QPR: NR
2007 Karma Try (Cab/Malb/Mer), Columbia Valley, $30, QPR: NR
2007 Karma Zen (Syrah/Gren/Mourv), Wahluke Slope, $40, QPR: NR

Quality: 2 stars (out of 5)
2007 Cascadia Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $12, QPR: NR
2007 Wapato Point Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $18, QPR: NR
2008 Karma Estate Gewurztraminer, Lake Chelan, $22, QPR: NR

Quality: 1.5 stars (out of 5)
2008 Eagle Creek Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $19, QPR: NR