Why Washington State Red Blends are Worth Trying

When it comes to buying wine, most people look for the California tag on the bottle. You might want to reconsider the state you are looking in because you could just be missing out on some great Washington state red blends.  Granted, California is the leading wine producer in the nation and well established, but Washington state also makes great wines. It is second only to California in winemaking. Even though grapes have been grown in Washington since 1824, serious winemaking only started 50 years ago. Today, there are hundreds of vineyards spread over 60,000 acres located along the Columbia River on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains.

In this relatively short time period, however, the state’s wine industry has catapulted to the top and makes some superb wines, including Washington state Cabernet Sauvignon wines. While Washington lags in volume produced compared to California, the wine it makes is of excellent quality and good value. If you have difficulty finding Washington wines, it may be because they are so popular, they tend to sell out quickly. Check out our Pacific Rim and Company inventory if you are having difficulty finding wonderful Washington state red blends. 

WINES WASHINGTON STATE EXCELS AT

If you want a delicious Washington wine, try Washington state red blends. The majority of red blends in Washington are made in the southeastern corner of the state where the deep, well-drained, loamy soil is ideal. There is ample sunshine at the right angles and the drainage is excellent. This area allows for the growth of several varieties of red and black grapes, which are used to make red blends like Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Washington state Cabernet Sauvignon wines. In fact, the red blends made in Washington are of such great quality that they are often considered to be on the same par as those red blends from the famous Bordeaux region in France. Other red blends, like Syrah, are blended with Mourvedre and Grenache to produce Rhone-style wine, which tends to be slightly sweet, fruity, and spicy. They are packed with aromas of ripened fruity berries. These wines are very easy to drink because of their lightness. Some red blends combine Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah to mimic the Australian red wines.

THE TASTE

Overall, Washington state red blends tend to have an intense dark red coloring with fruity aromas combined with a tinge of oak, coffee, and vanilla. The flavors are tannic and medium to full-bodied. The lighter red blends tend to have aromas of berries and have a soft, round flavor.

There are numerous variations of red blends produced in Washington and they all vary slightly in taste, aroma, and boldness. Some of the top red blends from Washington include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Many Washington red blend wines tend to be less expensive than wines from other parts of the country.

If you are considering Washington state Cabernet Sauvignon wines, among other Washington state choices, check out our inventory. We often have special sales on wines.  Here are a few red blends that we think you may love:

• 2020 PACIFIC RIM WICKED GOOD RED
• 2018 SILVER TOTEM CABERNET SAUVIGNON
• 2015 THICK SKINNED RED MOUNTAIN
• 2019 RAINSTORM PINOT NOIR

The above wines range in prices from $12-$40. They are well balanced, soft and round, and have a combination of dark and blackberries. The Washington state red blends can be enjoyed with all types of foods, including pasta, meat, cheese, curries, and cheese.  Check out the selections available at Pacific Rim today.