It Just Keeps Getting Better: The 2012 Seattle Wine & Food Experience

If you weren’t in attendance at yesterday’s tasting bonanza, you missed out tremendously. The 2012 Seattle Wine & Food Experience was a huge success and this year’s event brought together some of the Northwest’s finest wines, beers, ciders and spirits as well as delectable bites from a variety of area restaurants. I took a much different approach this year than I have at previous wine events: I didn’t drink wine. Well, I had a few tastes of wine at the event, but I wanted to switch it up a bit and focus more on our local beers, ciders and spirits (also, I had the privilege of attending an Oregon wine event the night prior, so I definitely didn’t miss out on the fine juice that state has to offer!). So, without further ado, my favorites this year of the 2012 Seattle Wine & Food Experience.

From the Vine to your Glass: The AVAs of Washington

"AVA". It’s a term you’ve no doubt heard, but might not know much more about other than it means “wine region”. Well, in this edition of “From the Vine to Your Glass” we’re going to take a look at what AVAs are, and briefly explore the AVAs that make up Washington state.

AVA is short for “American Viticultural Area” and is a grape growing region distinguished from others by geographic features. The boundaries for these areas are requested by wineries, and actually set by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (or TTB for short). To name an AVA on a wine label, at least 85% of the grapes used to make the wine must be from that specific area. Here in Washington, we have some very well known AVAs, and others that you may have not have ever heard of. Washington has 12 AVAs at this time, but that is expected to change in the near future. So what and where are they? Let’s take a look see shall we?

Are You In It to Win It? A Seattle Wine & Food Experience Giveaway!

If you haven't yet heard all of the amazing things about the upcoming Seattle Wine & Food Experience, you've obviously been living under a rock (or, you just don't read my blog enough, I posted a great description of the event earlier this month..). This annual event is coming up in just a few short weeks and I've got a chance for you to win a pair of tickets to attend! So think VERY hard about who is worthy enough of attending the event by your side if you win and pay close attention to the details. It's very simple really:

#1. On Facebook? Head on over to the Seattle Wine & Food Experience page and click "like". This will give you updates on various restaurants, wineries, and contests related to the event! Stay in the know...

#2: On Twitter? Follow @SeattleWineFood for more updates and information tidbits.

#3: After you've gotten yourself fully connected to the event and learned about all it has to offer (because c'mon, you really have to want to go if you want to win these tickets!), post a comment on this post with the one thing you are most looking forward to at the event on 2/26.

See, isn't that easy?! This Friday 2/4/12, I'll gather all the names of those who commented and draw one lucky winner. Looking forward to seeing the responses.

Cheers and Good Luck!

2011: Let's Rewind that Wine...

So most people did their 2011 recap posts in the last week of 2011, or even last week (the first week of 2012). Well, I'm not most people and I decided to do mine in the SECOND week of 2012. Because I can. I remember how much fun I had last year re-capping my 2010 Sips & the City posts, and getting to look back on all the fun I had in 2010. Well, 2011 was no different! I had such an amazing year getting to know new people, attending events, learning about various aspects of wine making, and trying some spectacular new wines. And now, my blog is almost a toddler (yes, it will be 2 in March!). Time sure does fly, doesn't it? And now, without further ado.. sit back, relax and enjoy the ride: 2011 in review!