The Eureka Wine Department and the Outreach Department took a more casual approach to wine tasting during our first of many Wine Tasting Demonstrations planned for 2016. We were so pleased to have over 20 customers join us in the Eureka Community Kitchen.

Our wine tour began in Eastern Washington with Mirth Chardonnay, produced by the Corvidae Wine Company. The 2012 vintage boasted flavors of Meyer lemon, golden delicious apple and a hint of the tropics which all come to a bright, clean finish.

Next up we sampled a 2013 Bliss Chardonnay from the Bliss and Feliz Estates of Mendocino, CA which have been growing and producing on the same land for over 60 years. This Chardonnay hinted at creamy notes of vanilla and fresh white nectarines and is a versatile paring.

Our last white wine took us to Sonoma County where Wilson Artisan Wineries has created the Pezzi King 2013 Chardonnay with fruit grown and harvested in the Alexander Valley. This wine hinted at flavors of key lime and honeysuckle and finished crisp with tropical fruits, pears and vanilla bean.

Three more wines followed as we moved into the richer reds. Our first taste was from Powers Winery, a 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon boasting layers of aromatic mouth feel that includes blackberry, molasses, pepper and cloves. This wine was created using grapes from six different slopes in the Columbia Valley.

The Dreyer Family Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was our next wine. Aged in American Oak this wine is created using both Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and Merlot grapes, both benefiting from the long, warm inland days. Our Wine Department recommends drinking a bottle of this one now and setting one aside for the future. It will age beautifully!

Our last tasting was from the Michael Pozzan Winery, a 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Annabella is considered a classic Napa Cab. Aged in American and French Oak, this wine hints at pipe smoke, black cherry and sweet vanilla oak. This one begs for some grilled meats!