Another Year of Great Experiences at the Seattle Wine & Food Experience Grand Tasting

The 9^th year of the Seattle Wine & Food Experience (SWFE) was a huge success, a three-day weekend extravaganza that wrapped up with the Grand Tasting at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. This year’s Grand Tasting was a blast. In Seattle Magazine’s first year at the helm, we saw a different layout and very diverse offerings in the world of wine, beer, cider and spirits. So many options, so little time… but may I present a few of the stops I made that stood out at this year’s Grand Tasting.

Upcoming Event: 2017 Seattle Wine and Food Experience Weekend - February 24th - 26th, 2017

2017 is off to a great start and what better way to kick off the year than to start talking about this year’s delectable food and wine events that are coming up. The 2017 Seattle Wine and Food Experience (SWFE) has grown this year into a 3-day festival, offering a full spectrum of Seattle’s culinary and craft beverage scene. Founded in 2009, SWFE has exploded into a premier event that is not to be missed. Under Seattle magazine’s new ownership, the footprint of the event is  growing to reach a wider audience and showcase the city through its incredible food and beverage scene. Each event “experience” is vastly different, so you can attend the one that fits your palate, or make a weekend of it and attend all three.

Upcoming Event: 1st Annual Holiday Wine Fest - Nov 12th & 13th, 2016 - Seattle Center Exhibition Hall

The holidays are just about upon us and what better way to celebrate than toasting to the season with some amazing wine?  The 1st Annual Holiday Wine Fest,  a Global Celebration of Wine will be held Saturday and Sunday November 12th and 13th at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. This all-day Saturday and Sunday event features a world-class line-up of local, regional, national and international wines, ciders, spirits, gourmet cuisine and artisan vendors.  With half the offerings from Washington and the other half international, you’re sure to find a new favorite to share at the Thanksgiving table and the plethora of Christmas parties that are coming up! The event will be held over three sessions, with two on Saturday the 12th and one on Sunday the 13th. You will also have the opportunity to purchase your favorite new wine, cider or spirit at the event and take it home with you!

Festival Tasting Sessions:

Saturday, Nov. 12:  Noon – 4pm ($40 admission)

Saturday, Nov. 12:  5pm – 9pm ($45 admission)
Sunday, Nov. 13:    Noon – 4pm ($40 admission)

For an entire list (and it’s a long one!) of the local and international wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries pouring at the event, visit the event website. This event benefits City Fruit, which promotes the cultivation of urban fruit in order to nourish people, build community, and protect the climate.

To purchase tickets, click here. Tickets include unlimited wine, cider, beer, and spirits tasting, a tasting glass, culinary samples and artisan shopping. Come celebrate the world of wine November 12th & 13th at the inaugural Holiday Wine Fest!

Rosé is Here to Stay!

It’s go time on summer and with that comes our shift to the “warm weather wines”! I don’t know about you, but I generally don’t touch red wine in the warm summer months since I want something that is refreshing and cold when the temperature outside starts to soar. Rosé has come mainstream lately, as it most certainly should. It took a bit of pushing though, as too many people looked at pink wine and were transported back to the White Zins and cheap blush wines their moms and grandmothers drank for so many years. I am here to tell you that today’s rosé has evolved greatly from those! Rosé is made just like every other wine, but the grape skins are only left in contact with the juice for a short time, rather than throughout fermentation like with a red wine. The longer the skins are left in contact with the juice and depending on the grape used, the darker the color of the rosé, which is why you will see all the colors of the pink rainbow when it comes to rosés (which is one of the reasons I love this type of wine!). Essentially, you can make pretty much any red grape varietal into a rosé. Many wineries even blend different varietals for their final product. The fun that winemakers have been having creating these wines is what makes the Washington rosé scene so amazing! While there are way too many to even try to compile in one post, here are several that I have come across this spring through my tasting adventures locally and in Eastern Washington!