Fidelitas Red Mountain Optu Vertical Tasting

Charlie Hoppes is celebrating 25 years of Washington winemaking.

Photo: Optu vertical tasting. The 2000 and 2007 were my favorites.

I have to say thank you to Charlie Hoppes and his friendly staff, for sharing these wonderful Optu wines from the Fidelitas wine library. This was a truly special treat. Optu Red Wines are the signature red blend of Fidelitas. The wines I tasted are no longer available. A couple of the newer vintages may be available in Magnum format - contact the winery for details.

Photo: Fidelitas tasting room on Red Mountain.

It pays to "Like" Washington wineries on Facebook. Today I visited Red Mountain for a vertical tasting of Fidelitas Optu red wines. The only way I knew about this special, one time tasting, was because I "Liked" Fidelitas on their Facebook page.

I suggest you stop by the Fidelitas website and Fidelitas facebook page to discover the wonderful upcoming events Fidelitas is hosting in honor of Charlie's 25 Years of winemaking.

Photo: Red Mountain Merlot loveliness.

Some of my lucky friends are going to enjoy the benefits of my Red Mountain visit today.

Photo: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon at veraison.

When you stop by the winery, tell them Wild 4 Washington Wine sent you.

Fidelitas on Red Mountain is open 11am to 5pm.
51810 N. Sunset Road, Benton City, WA 99320
www.fidelitaswines.com
There is a $5 tasting fee per person that can be waived with purchase.
Groups of 12 or more must schedule their tasting in advance to ensure the best experience for all guests. Please contact the winery for more information: 509.588.3469 or wine@fidelitaswines.com

Cheers!

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

Search This Blog