Gifts for the Wine Traveler

This Holiday Guide is for the Wine Tourist

When I was still working for a winery, I met many travelers from around the USA and the world. One of their most frequent concerns was how to travel safely with their precious cargo. Here are some suggestions for you wine tourists.

Travel Wine Protector - Set Of 2 price $13: While I've never used these, I've met people who swear by them. Whether you're traveling by air, road or sea, these very affordable wine protectors may not only protect your precious wine, but may also protect your clothing when you stash those bottles in your suitcase (I don't advise traveling with wine in your luggage, but you know you do it).

WineDiaper Padded Absorbent Bag, Set of 3price $9: I just discovered this product. While I'm not a fan of the name "WineDiaper", the reviews are very positive, you cannot argue with the price and you can re-use it! That's win-win in my book.

BottleWise Duo TX price $75: The image tells the story, a convenient, re-usable, travel bag for wine.

Built Neoprene 2-Bottle Wine Tote, Black price $15: If you're like me, you worry about accidentally dropping and breaking those lovely bottles of wine. When I take wine to share with friends, I take my Built neoprene wine tote. It's easy to carry and does an excellent job protecting those oh so lovely bottles of Washington wine. Recommended.

Washington Wines and Wineries: The Essential Guide, Second Edition price $23: This book is by the Seattle Times wine expert Paul Gregutt. It is an essential guide to Washington State vineyards, regions and wineries. With over 700 wineries in Washington, this guide is sure to be a hit with your wine snob friends. Recommended.

Swirl, Sip and Savor: Northwest Wine and Small Plate Pairings price $15: Local Washington wine author, Andy Perdue is a contributor to this book, a guide to combining lovely dishes with lovely wines.

The Juice 2010-11: The Easy Guide To The Best Wine price $8: As I've mentioned before, I'm a huge Matt Skinner fan. As one reviewer wrote, "It takes all of the snobbery out of wine. There's also a great breakdown of the top 100 with tons of great suggestions in different price ranges."

Hope this list is just in time to help you pick out the proper gift.

Cheers!

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. Wh...

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...

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 ...

William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

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