For those of you following the two initiatives regarding the privatization of Washington liquor sales, be prepared for a noisy battle for the next two months. There is big money pouring into this fight on both sides, so I thought it would be a good time to talk about who is funding each camp. The names of the organizations buying political ads are meaningless, they always sound like noble causes. To really know what the fuss is all about, you need to know who is paying the bills and why. It is then up to you to choose the side that is best aligned with your own interests.

This dry red has a deep ruby red color, aromas of blueberry, strawberry, peppercorn and spice with hints of smoke. The palate shows flavors of plum, black pepper and cedar. This full bodied red has a smooth finish with lingering notes of fruit and round tannins. (Alc. by Volume: 13%)

Blend: 30% Riesling, 20% Gewurztraminer, 15% Viognier, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Gris, 5% Muscat; Style: off-dry white; light straw color; aromas: apricots, honey and mint; palate/flavors: peach, watermelon and honey; medium body; clean finish with lingering fruit. Food Pairing: A fantastic match with shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil, and penne pasta in a cream and garlic sauce. (Alc. by Volume: 13.5%)

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Kyle MacLachlan pours his wine at Dunham

We love stopping at Dunham for many reasons on the Saturday of Spring Release weekend: pet the dogs, drink the great wine, meet nice people, and shamelessly gorge ourselves on fresh parmesan-laced pasta to innoculate our bodies against the alcohol attack. This year we had the added treat of meeting Yakima native and thespian Kyle MacLachlan and drinking his wine.

19 Wineries in 3 days

Enjoy these images of Zillah and Walla Walla!

Château Lynch Bages Pauillac 2006
This château dates back to 1691. Even though it was classified as a fifth growth, it is considered a “super second’ and sells at a higher price. Jean Michel Cazes is considered an icon in the wine business for improving the quality of this property and wine everywhere else as well. I had met him in Seattle in 1993. Even though he had stepped down as president, in September 2009, I asked if he was in the winery. He was in and graciously came downstairs and chatted with us for a few minutes. His son George Charles now runs the operation. The wine is made from about 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is always fragrant and is well balanced with excellent fruit and a lingering finish. Oak barrels are utilized but the wine is always harmoniously integrated. With decanting, this can be consumed early but the château has a proven track record for long cellaring. Recommended retail price is around $97.00.

A newly filed initiative seeks to by-pass the legislature

It seems that most every year one bill or another is introduced in the Washington legislature with the aim of getting the state out of the retail liquor business. Despite the merits of the bills, they always get killed somewhere in the political machinery by legislators beholden to the primary enemies of privatization. You may be surprised to learn that the liquor board itself is NOT one of the primary enemies of privatization.

By Nick Tomassi

When I decided to write about The Italian Influence on Washington Wine, I looked on it as just another story about wine. My wife, Kathy, and I traveled to Eastern Washington to meet with and interview the descendants of those early Italian pioneers. We visited the men and a number of the sites they told us about, especially in the Walla Walla area.

By Tom DiNardo

Outstanding wines available at desert-hot prices!

In the past New Mexico has been known for picturesque vistas, green chiles, and desert. Very few people know that there is actually a thriving wine industry in the Southwest's Land of Enchantment known as New Mexico. For those few oenophiles in the know, the New Mexico winery that most have lauded previously has been Gruet which is known for their sparkling wines. In the past, the majority of other wineries just couldn't or wouldn't focus on producing finer wines, other than novelty wines like chipotle merlot or habanero mead.