It’s still Washington wine month, which means I get to do another post about my favorite wine region! This time around I’ll be giving some tips on which wine varietals Washington is best known for, along with some of the top producers of these - and other lesser known - wine styles.
Washington Wine, Uncorked
Now, I gave a left a pretty decent nugget of info in my last Washington wine post, A Love Letter to Washington Wine, so I’ll keep it brief this time around.
Almost all of the wine from Washington comes from East of the Cascade Mountains, where the temperature fluctuates drastically between day and night. This allows for the grapes to concentrate their sugars in the day, and hibernate in the evening.
This, combined with Washington’s similar latitude to Burgundy and Bordeaux, means that wines with deep and complex flavors are nearly guaranteed - with a little help from irrigation of course.
Fun fact: Did you know that on average Washington state gets two more hours of sunlight per day than California?
Now, here’s a little breakdown on Washington’s top wine varietals, followed by some top producers that I can personally guarantee are good at what they do!
Cabernet Sauvignon
Given Cabernets popularity, it’s no wonder such a big, bold fruit would fare well here in the Washington heat. In fact, this bodacious red made up 29% of Washington wine produced in 2021! Expect deep black and red fruit, oak spice, and complexity. Often blended with Merlot.
Producers to Check Out
Barnard Griffin, Mercer Estates, Fidelitas Winery
Merlot
Known almost exclusively for its compatibility with Cabernet, this medium-bodied red makes up for 23% of the wine produced. Merlot is a flexible grape in that it blends nicely with big, bold reds to reduce aging time and add bright red fruit flavors. At the same time, Merlot stands out wonderfully on its own.
Producers to Check Out
Hightower Estates, Milbrandt Vineyards
Syrah
Perhaps my favorite, Frank and I participated in Sean Sullivan’s 2021 Washington Syrah Challenge, where we “had” to drink a different bottle of Washington Syrah every month. Washington easily has some of the best Syrah in the state, which dedicated 9% of production to this grape. Expect dark fruit, black pepper, and depth.
Producers to Check Out
Elephant 7 Winery, Long Shadows, Muret-Gaston
Cabernet Franc
Somewhat less well known than the above three, though nonetheless impressive. Usually blended with Cab and/or Merlot, Cabernet Franc offers bright red fruit, plum, and a touch of spice.
Producers to Check Out
Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Tranche
Chardonnay
Accounting for 21% of the wine produced, this white grape is quite popular. Chardonnay is one of those multifaceted white grapes that can taste wildly different depending on where it’s growing and who’s making it. Expect Washington Chardonnay to have some oak, along with ripe tropical flavors.
Producers to Check Out
Chateau Ste. Michelle, L’Ecole No. 41
Riesling
Both dry and sweet, and everything in between, this aromatic wine accounts for 18% of wine produced. I love Riesling, and Washington Riesling in particular is rich with vibrant peach and tropical flavors, along with a refreshing acidity.
Producers to Check Out
Efeste, Kiona Vineyards, Barnard Griffin
Lemberger
This grape is rarely seen outside of Austria, and I’ve never seen it anywhere other than Kiona Vineyards. That being said, this grape is well worth the very reasonable price of 18.00. Expect flavors of currant, mushroom, herbs and a touch of pepper.
Durif (Petit Syrah)
This year I cracked open a bottle of Durif from DavenLore Winery and it has honestly been one of my favorite wines I’ve had this year. Deep, inky and cooked red fruits have made this one undeniably delicious.
