There's more than one Holiday Inn in Yakima
In our last issue of Juice, we reported that there is a new Holiday Inn in downtown Yakima, but we mistakenly provided the contact information for the Holiday Inn Express. To clarify, the new hotel is a full-service Holiday Inn called the Holiday Inn Downtown Yakima Convention Center, located at 802 East Yakima Avenue (509.494.7000).  The Holiday Inn Express is located at 1001 East A Street. Information for both hotels can be found at www.holidayinn.com.

Living Wine Country

Along the Wine Road

Washington Wines Offer a Spring Release of Value
by Christopher Chan, Director of Wine and Spirits at The Rainier Club and the Washington Wine Awards

Congratulations, Washington - we’re on our way towards 800 wineries! They’re growing like young shoots off the cane, breaking ground like buds break from a vine. How exciting will this spring and summer be? Here are some of my predictions.
 
I’m glad to know our wine industry is smart, because that’s the only way to survive in this more than challenging economy. This spring, we’ll welcome a bevy of fresh and floral whites, pink and perfumed rosés and young and cozy reds, bottled, blended and off to your favorite market. The best part is that there’s a new price range-r in town and it’s "$30 and Under."

The wine market will be awash with a cash-flow crop of young and interesting wine, including lots of new and exciting releases and blends tantalizing you with catchy and kitschy names. Try winemaker Trey Busch’s Sleight of Hand Cellars “Renegade Wine Thieves,” a ripe red cherry blend of Cabernet and Merlot, lift-off with Zero One “Wild Sky” Cabernet Sauvignon, a solid polished and plush offering, trip to Alder Ridge with Zefina Sangiovese, pour Germany into your glass with Steppe Cellars amazing Riesling, and finally, get earth-friendly with the new Basel Cellars Earth Series wines from their certified sustainable Pheasant Run vineyard. Lest we forget those who paved the road with great quality and great pricing, we must pay homage to Barnard Griffin and their Tulip Label wine - some of our state's most consistent and mouthwateringly correct varietals at breakfast-and-lunch pricing. When the sun shines, be sure to reach for plenty of Rosé hitting the market - you’ll be dazzled by the array of grapes from Carignan to Carmenere. Cheers!

You can bet the price is right this spring with a record release of values and,  most importantly, quality. Nobody does it better than those who do it in Washington. Happy sipping, swirling and saving for a rainy day by drinking Washington. We crush the competition!

Get a Taste of the Destination

Gather a few friends together and try the wines listed above! The following recipe - with fresh ricotta and bright, lemony asparagus - is just right for pairing at any Spring celebration.

Asparagus and Ricotta Toasts 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling and brushing 8 slices packaged thin white bread 3/4 pound pencil-thin asparagus, cut into 2-inch lengths Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 1/2 cup fresh ricotta (5 ounces) Preheat the oven to 350° and lightly brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Using a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, stamp 4 rounds out of each slice of bread and transfer to the baking sheet. Lightly brush the rounds with oil and toast for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden and slightly crisp. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the asparagus, season with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and let cool slightly. In a small bowl, stir the lemon zest into the ricotta and season with salt and pepper. Spread the lemon ricotta on the toasts and top with the asparagus. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Serve right away. Serves 8. Source: Food and Wine, April 2009

Washington Wine Country Collection

Five Summer Road Trips through Washington Wine Country

The Amazing Taste Trail: Your guide to travel around Washington Wine Country arrives in June!
Watch for the June issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine for an exclusive guide to five summer road trips through Washington Wine Country with everything you need to plan your next trip - itineraries that lead you through the region and offer great ideas for wineries to visit, restaurants, places to stay, and more. These road trips are tailor-made, with handy resource information for making reservations. Keep this guide in your glove compartment, and you're on your way to a great weekend in wine country. You can also find them online at our web site: www.travelwashingtonwinecountry.com

Mark Your Calendar

Please submit upcoming events to events@winecountrywashington.org.

April Events

4/10 - Desert Wind Drink Pink! Rosé Pre-Release Party - Join Winemaker Greg Fries for a festive afternoon to celebrate our first-ever dry rosé. $25 ticket price includes tasting of the new rosé, rosé-friendly appetizers, live music, and a bottle of the 2009 Dry Rosé to take home. Wear your favorite pink attire (Men, that means you, too!) and walk our pink carpet; we'll be taking photos! Only 50 tickets available. Visit www.desertwindwinery.com.

4/23 - Spring Barrel Kick-Off - Whether traveling from near or far, kick off your Spring Barrel Tasting weekend Friday night with Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard. Stop in to experience live music provided by local sensation "Chalkline" for a $5 cover charge from 6:30-9:30pm. Take in the beautiful sunset view from our tasting room while enjoying the music and $5 glasses of our estate and select reserve wines. Chefs Dean and Dale Sheppard of Leo's Catering will be on hand with delicious foods prepared for purchase as well. 21 and over only please.  Visit www.terrablanca.com.

4/23-4/25 - Spring Barrel Tasting, Rattlesnake Hills Style - Three exciting days of great new wines, live bands, BBQ, artists, and more are on the Trail during the annual Spring Barrel Tasting! Winemakers are on hand to discuss their new releases while providing tastes directly from the barrel. No ticket is required on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail, just a glass - and check out our Passport (only $10) for some really spectacular savings! Wine glasses and Passports are available at all the wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail and at the Yakima Visitor Information Center off I-82 at exit 33A. Passports are good one time at each winery, but never expire otherwise!  Visit www.rattlesnakehills.com.

4/23-4/25 - Spring Barrel Tasting in the Yakima Valley - Barrel tasting allows tasters a sneak preview of upcoming vintages from their favorite wineries. This special weekend in the Yakima Valley features winemakers and cellar staff who are on hand to share insights and answer questions on the winemaking process. Many of the 50 participating wineries make special efforts to enhance the wine tasting experience by adding delicious cheeses, sauces, salsas, and even desserts to the mix along with special tastings and education. Visit www.wineyakimavalley.org.

4/23-4/25 - Spring Release Weekend - Over 50 of the Walla Walla Valley's wineries will be open with the winemakers on hand to introduce their new wines and share the creative winemaking process. Visitors can be the first to enjoy the new vintage and take home a selection of wines, many of which can be found only by visiting the wineries and tasting rooms themselves. Visit www.wallawallawine.com.

4/24 - Steppe Cellars Winemaker Dinner - Steppe Cellars will once again be hosting a casual sit down dinner event the Saturday of Spring Barrel Tasting weekend. End your day on the 24th with a meal catered by Bon Vino's catering and paired with Steppe Cellars wine. This will be a fun relaxing event, talk about wine and life in the Yakima Valley with the owners of Steppe Cellars. Limited seating, please call for availability or to reserve tickets. Visit www.steppecellars.com.

View a complete wine country calendar at www.winecountrywashington.org/eventCalendar.aspx.

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Founded in 2003, Washington Wine Country is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting wine-related tourism and economic vitality by fostering collaborative regional partnerships throughout the celebrated wine growing region of Eastern Washington, where 99 percent of Washington State’s wine grapes are grown. The region includes the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain and the newer appellations of the Columbia Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills, Rattlesnake Hills, Wahluke Slope, Snipes Mountain, and Lake Chelan. For more information on Washington Wine Country, please visit www.winecountrywashington.org.