Taylor Tasting Tours

02/18/2026

05/14/2024

The Rose Revival 2024
Looking forward to this event and Spring

02/09/2024

Some of my recommendation's for wine pairings with Valetine's Day Chocolates

1. For Dark Chocolates - if you like lighter wines a Banyuls from The S of France is a great choice. I did it last year. It is a fortified Grenache with some sweetness, Forget those cabs for this occasion, their high Tannins clash with the Chocolate making it all taste bitter. If you prefer a bit bolder wine, an aged Vintage Port is perfect.

2. For milk Chocolate and or with salted caramel: a Tawny or a Ruby
Port is excellent. A Washington Ruby Port made the same way
with the same grapes from Patterson Cellars is also quite good.
A Vin Santo from Italy is also good, as is a VINO Santo ( a very
good Washington version) from an excellent local producer
Martedi winery. Also some other late Harvest wines

3. White Chocolate, a White Port, a Sauterne, or a Quarts De
Chaume, a sweet to semi -sweet, Chenin Blanc from The Loire
valley. A Gewurztraminer a semi -sweet, not dry. A semi -sweet
Rose.

Enjoy
Cheers,
Don

01/13/2024

In a vineyard close by Seattle

01/13/2024

The Christmas Boat Parade 2023, on The Reserve Yacht

12/31/2023

Sparkling Options for New Years.
😃
1. True Traditional Classic Champagnes, Dom Perignon, Krug, Salon, Cristal, etc. Most all the famous houses are all very good but rather expensive. The vintage 2008 may be one the best in recent years for most all of the Champagnes if you are looking for a vintage Champagne. They have been aged longer. Vintage Champagnes are aged at least 36 months, but most are much more. Non Vintages are usually less 18-24 months for example, The 2008 Vintage Piper Heidsieck, Rare, Millesime just won a top award and is about $250. But many Non Vintage (NV) ones are quite good as well, but can still be pricey.

2. “Grower Champagnes” are also true Champagnes. They are the boutiques of Champagne and are usually a better value. They are the small family producers in Champagne. They are made using the same “Traditional Method” as the famous houses. They grow the same grapes in their own vineyards and make the Champagnes themselves, unlike the big houses who buy grapes from many sources. Try Jean Lassalle, Pierre Peters to name a couple or check Decanter Magazine for their reviews. All the Grower Champagnes will have the letters “RM” on the label.

3. Ok, looking for something French, but outside of Champagne? and wish to save a few dollars. Try a Cremant d’ Alsace made mainly with the same 3 classic grapes, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, with some occasional Pinot Blanc, plus some others. Also made in the “Traditional Method”. Aged less time, about 9 months. I like Lucien Albrecht Crémant d‘ Alsace, Brut Rose about $20. Crémants are also available from other regions in France, such as Burgundy etc.

4. How about Italian Sparkling’s ? Yes, I know you are probably thinking about Prosecco, I will get to that in minute. Did you know there are 2 types of very good Italian Sparkling wines, there are some others like Trentino, but for now I like these, both are also made in the “Traditional Method” Franciacorta DOCG & Oltrepo Pavese DOCG both are from Lombardia in Northern Italy. Ageing is a minimum of 18 months for NV and 37 months for the Vintage. They are mainly the same 3 classic grapes. (P.S, Pino Nero is Pinot Noir in Italian) plus some Pinot Blanc and some others. The ones I have tried are excellent and good values. $50 +

5. Prosecco, Veneto, Italy. Don’t raise your nose up so fast. Many are very good and they are not all sweet. Made mainly from the Glera grape and a little differently, in the “Charmat Method”, ( Martinoti in Italian) the second fermentation is in a tank to preserve freshness. Have you tried ASOLO Prosecco DOCG from Costco? It’s just $7.99. It’s dry minerally and quite good, maybe not for New Years Eve, but great for an everyday Sparkling. A little higher grade is: Astoria, Casa Vittorino Rive di Refrontolo Millesmato, Conegliano- Valdobbiadene Superiore, Veneto, Italy 2022. 92 points about $25, Decanter Magazine 2023

6. Cava, Penedes, Spain The main 3 grapes are Macabeo,( Viura), Parallada, and Xarel-lo. All are white grapes. It is also made in the “Traditional Method”. Good values . Traditional Cava is aged 9 months, Reserva 15 months, Grand Reserva 30 months and a new category. De Paraje Califcade started in 2017 is aged a minimum of 36 months

7. Washington State, A Good Local producer is Treveri from Yakima , WA, “Traditional Method” their Blanc de Blanc
( Chardonnay) received 90 points and it’s under $20. Chateau Ste Michelle has a decent one as well.

Call now to connect with business.

04/25/2019

Just another private tour to Woodinville, at the soon to be cult winery, Passing Time, with Damon & Dan

04/24/2019

Rose revival 5-16
What a great way to bring in summer. At The Woodmark Hotel. I am going

What could be a better kick-off to summer with a wine tasting, sipping an array of tasty rose’ and white wines on the beautiful patio watching the sun set over the Olympic Mountains on the shore of Lake Washington? Be part of this Seattle summer tradition by joining us at the 17th Annual Rose’ R...

01/11/2019

Check out this great article from Wine Follly!

Learn where wine flavors come from, how to smell them, and what to expect in wines like Cabernet, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

12/27/2018

So true! Certainly a misnamed grape varietal.

As the grape has spread to warmer climates, winemakers have realized that Petit Verdot can make intensely bold, fruity-yet-floral red wines that easily stand on their own.

12/06/2018

Just doing a little research. A champagne tasting last night at Esquin. I’m Sampling
The Dom. A Fun event
Cheers

10/04/2018

Camille (and her dad Alphonse de Klerk is a former classmate of ours from the Northwest Wine Academy! Awesome!! Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College