As of yesterday, May 30, we had tasted 56 new 2022 Rosé wines. On the same date a year ago, we had tasted 53 new 2021 Rosés, so we are on track to try about the same number as last year. Most so far have been domestic ones, mostly Washington, with a few from Oregon and California. Here's an update on the new French ones. New 2022 French Rosés French Rosés from the 2022 vintage are just now coming into the U.S. It is usually June and July when an appreciable number of imported ones arrive in this country. The ones we have tried so far have been impressive, including a high number of three of t ..read more

Looking Ahead to July Now that the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines is on line, I have started work on the July issue which goes live June 26. I have appointments lined up at Northstar, Kerloo Cellars and Prospice (2020 reds). Samples wii be shipped from Hard Row to Hoe and Nefarious in Chelan. And more is in the works, along with a bevy of new 2022 Rosés. New 2022 French Rosés 2022 Vignobles Florian Andre Rosé Vin de France ($16.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - This comes from outside Tavel in the South Rhône. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color and attractive aromas of strawber ..read more

French Wines 2022 Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rosé, "Terre de Miaimbray" ($33.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - Most Sancerre is white (Sauvignon Blanc) but some red and rosé is made from Pinot Noir. This one shows a brilliant copper-tinged pink color and fresh aromas of strawberries, pink cherries, Mandarin oranges, cherry and orange blossoms, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are bright and vibrant, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and calcareous minerals. The resonance continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and orange ..read more

More New 2022 Rosés Recently, we have tasted some more 2022 Rosé wines, including the first ones from outside of Washington and Oregon States. 2022 Campuget "Tradition" Rosé, Pays du Gard ($11.99 - Safeway) - From South France, this 70% Syrah, 30% Grenache combination shows a brilliant light pink color and aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, pink grapefruit, pink grapefruit, cherry blossoms, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are bright and fresh, with pure pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The back picks up fraise and cerise liqueurs and grapefrui ..read more

Next weekend, May 5-7 will be Spring Release Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. A lot of new wines will be poured. As a guide to wineries to visit, here are previews of new releases from wineries we've already visited. Full reviews will be in the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines. College Cellars The Walla Walla Community College's Institute for Enology and Viticulture has three new whites and three reds. If you are looking for value, this is a place to go to. 2022 Riesling, Columbia Valley, Bacchus Vineyard ($20) - This offers floral aromas of pear, peach, apricot lime, honeysuckl ..read more

Coming Up: Spring Release Weekend in Walla Walla Next weekend, May 5-7, will be Spring Release Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. There will be a lot of new wines being poured. In the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines, there will be new releases from Prospice, Reininger, Helix, Woodward Canyon, Ita and Smoky Rose. Foundry Vineyards will have new wines and pet-nats. And we will introduce Ducleaux Cellars, an up and coming winery in Milton Freewater. Upcoming in June Next week's Review Blog will report on the first imported 2022 Rosés, including ones from Provence and other wines fro ..read more

What's in the May issue The May issue of the Review of Washington Wines goes on line Tuesday, April 25. In it, there will be a lot of exciting new releases. Here's what's included. Valdemar Estates - There will be three knock-out wines, all scoring 19.5/20 points: the 2021 Dubrul Chardonnay, the 2020 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2020 Klipsun Red Mountain Syrah. LIMINAL - On April 9, we visited Avennia's Red Mountain tasting room where we tasted the new LIMINAL wines from a collaboration of Avennia and the WeatherEye Vineyard. All the wines were 19.5 or 20/20 points across the ..read more

Walla Walla Spring Kick-Off Weekend Last weekend, April 7-9, was Walla Walla Spring Kick-Off. Until last last year, the second weekend in April was known as Cayuse Weekend because that was when Christophe Baron held his winery opening and pick-up. Then other wineries opened up for spring releases and called it Spring Kick-Off. Why two spring release weekends, the other being the first weekend in May? Wineries now want to take advantage of opportunities to get visitors, especially after the COVID epidemics of the 2020-2021. An informal winery survey on Facebook by Sean Sullivan (Northwest Wine ..read more

Chenin Blanc is one of the most undervalued grape varieties, one that delivers wines of high quality to price ratios. It is a variety that originated in France's Loire Valley. a crossing of Sauvignon Blanc and Savagnin (a grape also grown in Jura). It is a grape suitable for cooler climates, producing wines of higher acidity, yet ripe and well fruited. The best-known Chenin Blancs are those of Vouvray which is situated east of Tours on the Loire river. although significant plantings are located in Montlouis (across the river from Vouvray) and Coteaux du Layon. South Africa grows much Chenin B ..read more

Looking Ahead to May With the April issue of the Review of Washington Wines now on line, we are working on the May issue which goes on line April 25. In it will be Walla Walla Valley Spring Releases from Rotie Cellars, Valdemar Estates, Kinhaven, Gramercy Cellars, Vital and Brook & Bull. On April 9, we will drive to Red Mountain to taste the highly acclaimed wines of Liminal with winemaker Chris Peterson. There will be more 2022 Rosés plus new Best Buys. Coming Up in November: The First Annual Grenache Festival Put Friday, November 23rd on your calendars. That will be the First Annual Gre ..read more