Is There Skiing in Washington State?
While Washington state is well known for its rainy weather, the state is also well known for its prolific snowfalls, which make it a great place to ski. As of 2023, there are 13 open ski resorts in the state, most of which are located in the Cascade Mountain Range between North Cascade and Mount Rainier national parks. There are at least half a dozen ski resorts located within one to two hours of Seattle. No need to ask, “Is there skiing in Washington state?” Just pack up and go!
Washington ski slopes are affordable, less crowded than some other more famous ski destinations, and they are family-friendly. The slopes in Washington cater to both beginning and professional skiers. Some of the best ski resorts in Washington include:
The biggest ski resort in the state is Wenatchee – Mission Ridge (with a total slope length of nearly 100 km). The highest ski resort for skiing at an altitude of 2,137 meters can be found at Crystal Mountains Resort, but no matter which ski resort you visit in Washington, there are plenty of skiing and snow-related activities to be enjoyed. One of the favorite activities, après skiing, is enjoying a wonderful glass of wine near a nice, warm fireplace.
DRINKS AFTER SKIING
Is there skiing in Washington state? But of course! There are excellent wines available, too! Washington state has it all: mountains, beautiful scenery, ski slopes, verdant valleys, and rich soil that produces great wines. Wines that are great for drinks after skiing include our own:
- 2021 Pacific Rim Wicked Good Red – this wine is delightful, offering a taste of juicy dark berries. Grown in Shano Silt Loam and put through a fermentation process by professionals, it is the perfect drink after skiing.
- 2019 Rainstorm Pinot Noir – the fruit for this wine comes from the finest grape growers in Washington’s own Willamette Valley. With a bouquet blend of strawberry, cranberry, and rosehip flavors, this medium ruby-red wine adds the taste of delicious red berries, pomegranate, and cherry.
- 2018 Vin de Glaciere Riesling – for drinks après skiing, this is one of the best choices. This is a dessert wine with hints of honey, pear, and jasmine. The natural acidity of the grapes is preserved, thus resulting in the quintessential sweetness that pairs well with cheesecake, blue cheeses, and fruit tarts. So add a little bite of dessert to your drinks after skiing and enjoy after a day full of fun and physical activity – now is the time to rest and relax.
Skiing is a fun pastime enjoyed by many people, but most people would agree that the best part about visiting the ski slopes is the après ski activities, which is when the real fun begins. Is there skiing in Washington state? Plan your ski trip today and now you know how to top off your time after skiing.
Some of Our Favorite Unique Wines
Did you know that the State of Washington is gaining popularity as part of “Wine Country”? Many people think of California as Wine Country, but Washington state has made numerous inroads to claiming that title as well. Washington offers many unique wines. The wines are unique due to the soil and climate of the region, as well as the unique production techniques designed to get the very best from these very special grapes. Read the story here.
Washington’s history of grape growing goes back about 200 years, but it is only over the past 40 years that the wine industry has kicked up the pace and become competitive. In the 1980s, the state only had about two dozen wineries, but today there are over 1,000, with at least four new wineries opening each month.
Due to the state’s favorable weather, rich soil, and environmental conditions, Washington state cultivates a wide range of grapes that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Many of these wineries are located in the Columbia Valley in the southeast corner of the state, traversing the Oregon border. Columbia Valley contains many important regions, including Yakima Valley, Walla Walla, Horse Heaven, and many others.
Columbia Valley is relatively new to unique world wines. First established in 1984, it has become the largest wine-producing region in the state. The area contains over 50,000 acres of vineyards (or about 99 percent of Washington’s wine country), making it even larger than NAPA Valley, which has 45,000 acres.
Today, Washington is the second largest producer of wines in the United States, making over 80 varieties from its 20 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). Out of the 80 wine varietals, there are five wines that make up nearly three-quarters of the region’s production, and they include Cabernet Sauvignon. Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Merlot.
While Cabernet Sauvignon and other red wines reign supreme, white wines are also fast catching on. In fact, Washington is the second largest producer of Riesling, only behind Germany.
The key reasons for the success of Washington wineries and their unique wines include a modern way of making wine, as evidenced by consumers who now prefer light, sweet, and low alcohol-containing wines compared to wines that have high levels of alcohol and tannins.
ICE WINE RIESLING
The 2016 Hahn Hill Vineyard Ice Wine Riesling is composed of grapes grown in the soil of Yakima Valley’s basalt bedrock. The Selenium Vineyard sits at an altitude of 1,200 feet above sea level and faces south. The frozen berries, harvested in December, are pressed together and the resulting concentration of juice is fermented with R2 yeasts while cold. Its taste is of lilac and lemon with biting acidity and high sugar level. Unique wines of this type pair well with bread and cheese.
CHENIN BLANC
The 2018 Hahn Hill Vineyard Chenin Blanc is, like the Ice Wine Riesling above, also composed of grapes fertilized in the basalt bedrock soil with wind-blown loess. The grapes are harvested from some of the oldest vines in Yakima Valley. The flavors in this Chenin Blanc choice are pear, grapefruit, and quince, with hints of melon and key lime. It is fermented with yeasts native to the area in stainless steel tanks, which helps preserve the crispness of its character. It is delightful with Mediterranean foods, fish, and cheeses.
NOBLE WINE
The 2012 Selenium Vineyard Noble Wine comes from grapes grown in the Selenium Vineyard in Yakima Valley. The vines face south/southeast and have a thin soil base, which encourages them to dig deeply into the rich soil to find the nutrients they need. This choice among unique world wines is a very rare botrytized Riesling that is 100 percent true to its name. This wine can be aged 15 to 20 years if desired. It has a blended aroma of caramel, honey, and apricot while offering a taste of stone fruit with medium acidity and rich levels of sugar.
GEWURZTRAMINER
The 2018 Ramos Vineyard Gewurztraminer is perhaps the most awarded Gewurztraminer in North America. It has a stunningly intense aroma of rose petals, cloves, and lychee with a complexity of spices. Grapes from this magnificent choice among unique wines come from the celebrated vineyards of Columbia and Yakima Valleys in Washington state. It is crafted to present a unique sense of place. The fermentation process is quite complex and includes several steps and stages to get the wine just right. The resulting taste is akin to passion fruit, tangerine, and melon. It blends well with lemon chicken, spicy Indian dishes, and blue cheeses.
Any of these unique world wines would make a joyful celebration even more joyful.
Does Red Wine Warm You Up?
There is no doubt that a cup of hot coffee or chocolate induces a warm sensation in the body, and that is why people prefer to drink these on a cold winter morning. But that is obvious, those are warm beverages. But what about wine? Does red wine warm you up? The simple answer is yes; some wines can induce a warm feeling. This warmth is most noticeable in colder weather. Some people may just feel a transient hot flush that lasts a few seconds, and others may feel a very intense warm sensation that may last longer. In most people, the warm sensation induced by wine is fleeting and causes no ill effects. But why does it happen?
ALCOHOL CONTENT OF WINE
The intensity of the hot flush with wine depends on the wine and the alcohol content since the reason wines induce a warm feeling is related to the alcohol content. The higher the alcohol content, the more intense the flushing sensation can be. Does red wine warm you up? Histamines and tannins that can be found in red wines can cause a warming sensation in your body. The alcoholic content in red wine can dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow, thereby lending to a warming feeling. The wine redistributes blood closer to the surface of the skin thereby allowing you to feel heated. Not many things can feel as comforting as red wine on a snowy winter day, where you are, preferably, inside drinking it and looking out a window.
DOES WINE WARM YOU UP? OTHER REASONS WHY
Aside from healthy people developing a warm sensation to wine, other reasons why some people may develop a flushed sensation include the following:
Some people may lack an enzyme that breaks down alcohol, and these individuals tend to develop an intense flush that may be recurrent and last 30-60 seconds.
In addition, individuals with high blood pressure are also at an increased risk for developing alcoholic flushes.
Recent studies show that wine flush tends to be more common in people who are dehydrated. Hence, people who exercise or perform physical activity and do not drink adequate water can develop an alcoholic flush after drinking wine.
Does red wine warm you up? The amount of wine you have to drink to derive the warming sensation varies from person to person. Some people drink a few sips of wine and immediately develop a warm feeling, whereas others may have to drink more wine to develop the same sensation.
How many people develop a warm sensation after drinking alcohol is not exactly known, but estimates indicate that it may range from 1-3 percent of wine drinkers. Does wine warm you up? While it is impossible to tell ahead of time who will develop the warm sensation after drinking wine, the best advice is to select wines that are low in alcohol content, keep well hydrated, drink alcohol slowly, and eat some food at the same time.
Looking for a New Winter Wine?
Try some of these wines if you are looking for something new to try this winter, or something familiar and comforting.
Some of the Best Chenin Blanc Food Pairing
Chenin Blanc is made from one of the most versatile grapes, known to produce a broad range of wines from sparkling, light, fruity, and dry to full-bodied. Each of these wine styles is known to pair well with different types of foods. Chenin Blanc has fruity aromas depending on where it is grown, but the most common include mango, pineapple, and citrusy notes. In this article, we are going to look at some Chenin Blanc food pairing examples and why they work.
THE FOOD PAIRINGS
For the most part, Chenin Blanc is a dry white wine that is slightly acidic. Because of its versatility, Chenin Blanc food pairings can include many light foods, such as veggies, salads, fish, lighter desserts, and some chicken entrees. However, Chenin Blanc does not especially pair well with heavy foods, oily dishes, or meatier foods.
THE FRUITY AND SWEET CHENIN BLANC
In general, the wine you consume should usually be sweeter than the foods you eat; otherwise, the wine will taste bland or bitter. Therefore, if you go with a sweet wine, the foods that pair well include Mexican foods, mild Indian and Thai curries, kimchi, fruit tarts, and fluffy cheesecake.
A fruity and sweet Chenin Blanc food pairing works well with salads, fish, cream-based chicken entrees, and vegetable dishes. Because of the mild acidity, Chenin Blanc also pairs well with exotic cheeses and light desserts.
THE DRY AND ACIDIC CHENIN BLANC
Dry Chenin Blanc can have high acidity, is aromatic, and has light flow. These features allow it to be paired well with foods that are fatty, fried, robust, or rich. If the food is creamy or oily, the acidity will cut through the fat and cream and enhance the flavors. Some of the foods that pair well with the acidic variety include quiche, creamy potatoes, or cheese souffle. In addition, shrimp, salmon, and oysters cooked in butter also match well with the dry Chenin Blanc food pairings.
FULL-BODIED CHENIN BLANC
Full-bodied Chenin Blanc is quite acidic and matches well with some meat dishes, such as steak. The high acidity can cut through the fat while at the same time cleansing your palate.
HOW SHOULD CHENIN BLANC BE SERVED?
Chenin Blanc is best served chilled. The best way to cool the wine is to put the bottle in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving. Another option is to put the Chenin Blanc in an ice bucket, which results in faster cooling.
2018 HAHN HILL VINEYARD CHENIN BLANC
Our 2018 Hahn Hill Vineyard Chenin Blanc can meet many of your requirements. This is a unique wine grown in the prized vineyards of the Yakima and Columbia Valleys. The grapes are fermented only with native yeasts in a singular production technique that complements its aromatic floral bouquet and notes of melon and key lime. It is 100 percent Chenin Blanc and as good as it gets.
Plan Your Valentine's Day Wine Delivery Ahead of Time
Thanks to the immense advantages that shopping on the internet offers and the fact that, due to the Pandemic, we’ve all gotten a lot savvier about purchasing items online, from household necessities to groceries … and wine! You can order wine online! Valentine’s Day wine delivery is growing in popularity. Alcohol delivery laws vary by state but if you live in one of the states where you can have wine delivered, you have so many more selections available as opposed to just one or two brick-and-mortar stores. Plus, it’s such a very convenient option!
VALENTINE’S DAY
We’ve gotten through another year of holidays, ending with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and, now, it’s time to start all over again. We’ve just passed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the next big holiday that many people like to celebrate is Valentine’s Day. Suppose you want to plan a nice romantic stay-at-home dinner this year with your loved one to celebrate Valentine’s Day. That’s often a nice switch from making reservations and having dinner out in crowded restaurants. When you opt for Valentine’s Day wine delivery, you can place your order ahead of time and ensure you get just the wine you want and when you want it.
WHEN SHOULD I PLACE MY WINE ORDER FOR VALENTINE'S DAY?
Valentine's Day will be here before you know it so now is the time to place your order. By ordering early, you can avoid any last-minute shipping hazards because, you know, it is highly likely that many other people are going to have this same idea. Ordering online is so easy and a great way to ensure you get just the romantic wine you want to help you and your loved one celebrate this heartfelt holiday. What is the best wine for Valentine’s Day? It depends on the foods you will be serving and the personal preferences of you and your loved one.
REMEMBER WINE ESSENTIALS
Once you decide on a Valentine’s Day wine delivery, do not forget to order any essentials, like a bottle opener, ice bucket, and wine glasses, if you don’t have them already. Or, maybe it’s time for some new wine accessories. Splurge all the way around this Valentine’s Day – what are you waiting for?
Once you have selected the best wine for Valentine’s Day and ordered your Valentine’s Day wine delivery, you can set about selecting the right foods for your special romantic dinner. Get everything set now so you won’t have to worry about anything at the last minute. Also, always remember, roses, chocolate, and jewelry can go really well with wine.
We have taken the liberty of selecting a few recommendations for your viewing pleasure. They include:
- 2015 Thick Skinned Red Mountain wine
- 2021 Rainstorm Pinot Noir Rose
- 2016 Hahn Hill Vineyard Ice Wine Riesling
- 2021 Pacific Rim Wicked Good Red
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! May it be your best yet!