La Marca DOC Veneto Prosecco and 12+ month aged Asiago

“A true classic. The salty asiago transports you to the Italian Riviera, caressed by the salty sea breeze. Pairs perfectly with the pure sunshine in the Prosecco.”

“Sweet with tart = refreshing! Light!”

Capcanes Mas Donís 2012 Barrica Old Vines and 6 month aged Manchego

“A perfect pairing. Earthy, smooth and well balanced – Barrica meets velvety Manchego.”

Have you ever examined the color of the wine in your glass? You may think that all red wines have the same color, but upon closer observation you will find that each grape variety shows a little bit differently.

Argentinian Malbecs, for example, have a uniquely colored fuchsia hue. This vibrant coloring is due to Argentina’s volcanic soils and high vineyard elevations. In fact, Argentina plants Malbec in some of the world’s highest altitude vineyards.
The 2009 Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva Malbec is a perfect example. This wine is 100 percent Malbec and the grapes are harvested from one of the premier vineyards just outside of Mendoza. Because this wine has seen some age, you will notice an elegant complexity on the nose, with gorgeous hints of florality. The palate boasts wild red fruits like cherries and blackberries coupled with a kiss of licorice and delicate tannin. I highly recommend the 2009 Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva Malbec as a complement to accompany you to holiday feasts. It will not only pair well with the season’s festivities, it will also wow your loved ones.

And to evaluate wine color, simply tilt your glass sideways against a white piece of paper, ideally with the sun as a natural light source. Doing this will allow you to better see the color of the wine. Now compare and contrast two red wines side by side. My recommendation is to compare an Argentinian Malbec, like the 2009 Fabre Montmayou Gran Reserva Malbec, to a Chianti Classico. One will be bright fuchsia and the other will be closer to a rich red.
The more you do this experiment with different wines, the more you will begin to see patterns in color variations among grape varieties and wine regions. The same holds true for white wines so check those out too. Here’s to seeing the world through brightly colored glasses! — Cheri Walters is a trained sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild Diploma Program. She has toured internationally through classic wine regions, and has run wine programs in Seattle. She also holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University.
Fabre Montmayou 2009 Gran Reserva Malbec

Looking to have your senses swirled into a delicious dream? Check out the heady 2011 Black Slate Porrera Vi de la Vila from Priorat, Spain. It’s a mix of licorice, cherry, anise and dark chocolate.
This wine is still quite young, therefore I splash decanted it to soften the tannins. Splash decanting forces oxygen into the wine, allowing you taste more of the complexities and nuances the wine has to offer. After decanting, I tried a glass of the Black Slate Porrera, and then left the rest in the fridge overnight. Just like fruit or vegetables, wine is still alive so keeping it in the fridge will preserve it for a day or two longer than if you had left it out.
This wine is so big that 24 hours of being in a decanter -and thus having longer contact with oxygen- actually allowed more of the wine’s beauty to come forward.
If you have never experienced what splash decanting can do for a bold red wine, this is a great one to start with. Splash decanting is incredibly simple and will allow you to experience the wine in a more personal, organic way. — Cheri Walters is a trained sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild Diploma Program. She has toured internationally through classic wine regions, and has run wine programs in Seattle. She also holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University.
Mas d’en Compte 2011 Black Slate – Porrera Priorat

I grew up vacationing on the Atlantic Ocean, its heavenly beaches coloring my childhood memories. As a kid, I often dreamed of what the landscape would be like on the other side of the ocean. My studies in wine have illuminated that dream into reality.
Welcome, my friends, to Spain’s Rias Baixas region located on the Atlantic Ocean in north-western Spain. The Rias Baixas (ree-ahs-buy-shuss), lies in the heart of the Galicia region and produces some of the country’s most acclaimed dry white wines, mostly from the Albariño grape. This region is known for its stunning landscape, sea-salt air and warm sunshine.
The 2012 Burgáns Albariño expresses fragrant hints of apricot, peach and white flowers on the nose. The palate has a mouth-watering lushness, along with stone minerality and a lingering finish.
When pairing this wine, keep in mind the old adage, “If they grow together, they go together”. The Rias Baixas has a vibrant fishing industry, as such, this wine will pair elegantly with seafood. The 2012 Burgáns Albariño will also be a smart addition at summer bbq’s as it stands up confidently to rich, bold flavors.
If you’ve never experienced the warmth of the Rias Baixas, this brilliant Albariño will take you there. All you have to do is take a sip, close your eyes and dream.
Burgãns 2012 Albariño — Cheri Walters is a trained sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild Diploma Program. She has toured internationally through classic wine regions, and has run wine programs in Seattle. She also holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University.

Wine, to me, is about connection. It is a connection to the earth, to history, to culture, and finally to our loved ones when we enjoy it in each other’s company. The vineyards of Chateau D’Esclans provide a connection to 2,600 years of viticultural history from the Côtes de Provence. The Ancient Greeks, Romans, Catalans and Gauls have influenced this region since 600BC, and its classic Mediterranean climate provides the warm sun that is perfect for growing delicious, juicy grapes.
Caves D’Esclans brings you their 2012 Whispering Angel in the region’s traditionally shaped bottle – think amphora vessel meets a bowling pin. The resulting wine is a platinum pink that boasts light hints of ripe strawberry and raspberry, finishing with a kiss of fresh lemon. Chilled over ice, this rosé can be enjoyed all day, and will pair nicely with crisp salads or white fish.
Chateau d’Esclans 2012 Whispering Angel Rosé — Cheri Walters is a trained sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild Diploma Program. She has toured internationally through classic wine regions, and has run wine programs in Seattle. She also holds an MFA in Arts Leadership from Seattle University.