Charles Koh
PHOTO CREDIT TO WILD GINGER
1. French Sparkling, AppetizersDomaine J. Laurens, Brut NV
60% Chardonnay, 30% Chenin Blac, 5% Mauzac, 5% Pinot Noir
Produced by Limoux (Southwest France) near Carcassonne, it is the oldest sparkling wine appellation of Frace. Winemaker Michel Dervin blends the four authorized grapes in the appellation to create a sparkler that could easily sell for twice the price. Michel also has an estate in Champagne, and he believes in the celebration of life and creating sparkling wines that can accompany the big, small and everyday occasions.
2. Crisp White, 1st CourseVa Piano ‘Bruno’s Sauvignon Blanc 2012
2012 is a vintage to remember with the high temperatures in late spring through summer. Along with three months without rain, it created a nearly perfect growing condition for producing grapes in the Columbia and Walla Walla Valleys. The combination of conditions not only produced exceptional grape quality, but quantities were up as well over 2011’s smaller crops. There will be great things to come from this vintage.
3. Light Red, 2nd CourseStoneburn Pinot Noir 2011
Stoneburn vineyard was planted in the central Wairau Valley in Marlborough, 1989. The soil is old riverbed, very stony with underlying loamy soil producing relatively light crops by very flavorsome fruit for fresh, lively and well-balanced wines. Stoneburn was named to reflect the North Otago and Scottish heritage, in the stony site.
4. Bold Red, 3rd CourseConfucius Says… 2012 Red Blend by Fall Line Winery
41% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot
Fall Line Winery, named after the natural line of descent on a slope, focuses on instilling grace and depth to their wines. It’s a sincere delight to know this philosophy is blended into Wild Ginger’s signature wine. Available only at Wild Ginger Seattle, Wild Ginger at The Bravern and The Triple Door.
