Great Northwest Wine and Tri-City Herald
February 22, 2017
In the 1980s, Washington was white wine country. Red wine was considered somewhat exotic.
Then came Merlot. The Bordeaux variety known for its soft flavors and silky tannins proved to be a good match for Washington’s Columbia Valley and its dry, arid soils. By the mid-1990s, Merlot was Washington’s dominant red grape, and the state was gaining fame for it.
In recent years, with the rise of Syrah and the emergence of Cabernet Sauvignon, interest in Merlot has waned. And yet, it remains a stalwart. Each year, it ranks among the first red grapes picked and brought to the winery. Those are qualities that winemakers appreciate during the crush of harvest. So Merlot is still proving to be a good match for Washington — and Idaho too. Here are some examples we’ve tasted recently worth checking out.>>>Read the entire article featuring Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Winery on Tri-City Herald and here on Great Northwest Wine