OMG The Season Is Upon Us

Only two weeks to go! What to do? If you live to the Seattle area, you can head down to the South Seattle Artesianal Wineries in the South Park area. You can get oudstanding wines at Cadence, Fall Line, O-S, and Note Bene. At a bit of a distance you can go to Falling Rain ( how apporopriate for Seattle) or Smasne. Across the pond, Lake Washington, that is, head for Woodinville where you can even buy wines all the way from Walla Walla at such tasting rooms as Isenhower, Alder Ridge, Canon De Sol, and Dusted Valley. As I've said before, I've never had a bad wine from Novelty Hill where winemaker Mike Januik also bottles his own outstanding wines under his own label. If you want to go with the big boys, check out the gang of three - Gorman, Sparkman, and Mark Ryan. Across the street check out Efeste. In the same neighborhood you won't be disappointed by Barrage wines. For some peak experiences check out Pomum, Adam's Bench, and Hestia. Finally, at the high end, you can get some great stuff, previously available only to mailing list members, at the DeLille tasting room.

Last minute rush? Can't make it to the wineries? Try Trader Joe's or Costco. I recently picked up a fabulous bottle of 2008 William Fevre Chablis for only twenty bucks at Costco. If you "need" a bottle of Dom Perignon, Costco is the place to buy it for only $120 or so, some odd dollars. At TJ's, try the 2009 Chablis from Jean or was it Jacques,  Bourguignon ( a made up name, but good stuff for $8). The 2009 Chateauneuf Du Papes "Valle De La Pierre" is a little rough, more like a Cotes du Rhones, but it will work well with a rich stew and is  appropirately priced at $10. For the same price you can pick up a decent Pinot Noir which is as good as Pinots costing $15 -$20 - 2009 Sebastopol Hills. Finally the ultimate Holiday wine, Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Port, at about $20, is perfect with fruitcake, walnuts, blue cheese and and dessert. Cigar anyone? Happy Holidays.