Samples

Photo: William Pollard Jr

Yes, I accept samples for review.

Wine received as a sample will be noted as such in my review. Sending a sample does not guarantee I will write about it. My wine reviews are about wines I enjoyed and appreciated.

I do not write negative wine reviews.
If I don't like the wine, I won't review it.
If I suspect a sample wine is flawed, I will contact the winery/distributor/importer.

While the original focus of this blog was Washington wine, my palate, interests and passion for wine have expanded. Today I accept and review wine from all over the world. Writing about wine provides me an opportunity to educate myself and others about the origin of grape varieties, wine styles, wine regions, technology and history. If I like a wine or a wine related topic and it provides an opportunity to be instructive, I will want to write about it. And I will want to visit.

Occasionally, I am invited to attend wine events as a media guest/wine writer. When I write about these events I note in my post if I attended as media or special guest.

For information on how to ship samples please contact me via email:

william (at) wild4washingtonwine.com

How I rate wine - I don't use points.

Recommended | Strongly Recommended | Highly Recommended

1. Recommended. A wine I would buy and enjoy.
Enjoyable wine. Recommend it for purchase. Not every wine I drink has to be amazing or complex. Sometimes I want a wine which is "easy drinking" or "fun" I may even describe the wine as "food friendly" or "patio sipper."

2. Strongly Recommended. A strong endorsement.
Special wine, something about it exemplifies the grape variety, or region it was made, or possibly a delicious wine and food pairing experience. This is not an ordinary wine. Look for an enthusiastic review. I may also describe the wine with, "Big like!" or "My speed!" I may also suggest, "Go and buy now!"

3. Highly Recommended. My strongest endorsement.
Extra special wine. A thrilling wine tasting experience. This is a nebulous category based on personal preference and experience. I know a "Highly Recommended" wine when I taste it. Best of the best. I seldom rate wines as "Highly Recommended."

All the best - William

Review: Sho Chiku Bai, Unfiltered Sake

Last month in Seattle, I purchased a bottle of Nigori sake at Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been visiting Uwajimaya for almost 40 years. When I was much younger, I’d buy model ship and plane kits, Japanese comic books (manga) and I never left without at least one steaming Humbow in hand. Today I buy the manga for my son; while I still enjoy the tasty steamed Humbows, now I never leave without at least one bottle of Sake in hand. Uwajimaya has a terrific selection of imported sake. This most recent visit, I left with a bottle of Sho Chiku Bai Nigori sake. Nigori sake is generally the sweetest of all sakes, with a fruity nose and a mild flavor, making a great drink to complement spicy foods or as a dessert wine. Typical sake is usually filtered to remove grain solids left behind after the fermentation process; however Nigori sake remains unfiltered, resulting in a cloudier beverage. Before serving, the bottle must

Spirit Review: Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin' @OleSmoky

Today I have crossed the line from wine to spirits. At 100 proof the Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine is definitely turning up the volume (ABV 50%). "Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and Tennessee white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly...The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey." Source Wikipedia My family is no stranger to Moonshine. That is, my great-grandfather and grandfather were not strangers. Evidently the family occasionally produced their own spirits on their Oregon ranch. My grandfather told me about his younger brother getting into his dads stash with predictable results. Grandmother also told me stories about midnight runs and secretive deliveries d

Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon. The style has changed.

“There is something special going on at Col Solare." In mid-June 2022, I began working for Col Solare winery on the Red Mountain AVA in Washington state. The Red Mountain AVA and Col Solare are famous for stunning Cabernet Sauvignon. That I knew going in. We are not here to make more wine... We are here to showcase place. At the end of June 2022, Col Solare winemaker Darel Allwine retired. Darel had been winemaker since 2013. Prior, he had been Col Solare assistant winemaker for Marcus Notaro. Marcus had been Col Solare winemaker when the Red Mountain facility opened and was winemaker before we had our Red Mountain facility. On July 1, 2022, Col Solare assistant winemaker, Stephanie Cohen, was promoted to Col Solare winemaker. I was present for this change. It was the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Col Solare is the third winery I have worked for. I chose well. Often, I am asked by Col Solare guests, as I was last week, “Tell me about Col Solare. Who are you

William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

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