Food and Drink

Try Before You Buy: 4 Seattle Wine Shops with Tastings

Remember when we were younger and fussy about eating new things? My mom always told me to try something first before deciding if I hated it. As I grew, so did my palate. I stopped rejecting onions and hot sauce simply because I finally gave them a try. Over time these flavors became important, and even desirable for me.

Wine is as varied as food when it comes to what appeals to people. A delicious soave for me will taste astringent to another. So it makes good sense to try many varietals and styles of wine as you learn what appeals to you.

However, wine can be an expensive hobby. We can learn the primary varietal characteristics and hope that a bottle featuring that grape lives up to its promise. While we can’t guarantee every bottle or vintage, we can taste. I believe that wine shops that feature customer tastings are the real heroes of the Novice Wine Drinker. So here are four small bottle shops in Seattle that offer patrons a chance to try a few sips before diving right in to a whole bottle (or case!) purchase.

Wine selections at Bin 41

Wine selections at Bin 41

Bin 41, West Seattle

Located in the West Seattle Junction, Bin 41 is a beautiful, well-stocked wine shop that focuses on client service. The proprietors will walk you through your menu and help find the best-paired wine from their collection. They offer weekly themed tastings on Thursdays for $5, with the fee rolled into whatever bottle purchase you ultimately make. The wine stock is centered on small production, family-operated wineries.

Pro Tip: Love animals? So do the owners, so much so that they routinely donate proceeds from their own wine and special fundraising events to animal rescue organizations.

Tasting room at Portalis

Tasting room at Portalis

 Portalis, Ballard

Near to my heart, this is my neighborhood wine shop. I often walk down and have been seen lugging a half case the 10 blocks home. Portalis stocks an eclectic mix of wines, beers, and other beverages in the shop’s new home at NW 70th Ave and 15th Ave NW.  Seriously good and rare imports here. Portalis has a beatuful private tasting room replete with referenceable wine region maps. With free tastings Wednesdays through Sundays, you can expect to taste a varietal flight, focus on a certain region, or meet a winemaker. Check the shop’s website often to find out what’s up next.

Pro Tip: Jens of Portalis also owns a wine import company, so if you’re looking for something rare or unusual, he’s a good man to know!

Tasting wines from Tranche Vineyards at Vino Verite

Tasting wines from Tranche Vineyards at Vino Verite

Vino Verité, Columbia City

Recently relocated from Capitol Hill to the bustling main street of Columbia City, Vino Verité is Columbia City’s only dedicated wine shop. Here the owners are laser focused on value for their selections: Wines that are both delicious AND at the right price points. Thursday are tasting nights with complimentary pours of about five wines between 5-8 pm. Frequented by a mixture of walk-ins and regulars, the shop has taken hold in the neighborhood over the past year. I left with what promises to be a glorious bottle of Grüner Veltliner — how could I not?

Pro Tip: Every single wine on the shelves has been tasted and verified as DELICIOUS so you won’t buy any duds here. Good wine AND good value!                

Madrona Wine Merchants, Madrona

Back when I lived on Capitol Hill, Madrona Wine Merchants was a wonderful weekend walking destination. Tucked into a small shop on 34th Ave, they always seemed to have something open to taste. The owners really like to showcase the wines they love with the neighborhood and enjoy sharing “true bargains” with their loyal clientele. I have never been disappointed with their weekend tastings and lament the fact I don’t get over to that side of town as frequently anymore.

Pro Tip: These gents focus on wine producers with deep respect for both their craft and the land, whether that’s sustainable farming, biodynamic practices, or organic wine making. For the conscientious wine collector, Madrona Wine Merchants is a great choice.

 All four shops advertise their tasting schedules on their websites and offer email newsletter updates. If you live in Seattle, I encourage you to give your neighborhood shop a swirl and a sip. From out of town? These are great places to learn more about Seattle’s wine culture. Salud!

Amy L. Dickson is a communications professional, freelance writer, and contributor to Rain or Shine Guides. She’s currently training at the NW Wine Academy for her Level 1 sommelier certification. Follow her at @amyldickson75

Sam's Tavern and the Famous Bloody Mary

Sam's Bloody Mary in all her glory

Sam's Bloody Mary in all her glory

Bloody Marys. God's gift to brunch and hangovers. Also, it's a drink that tastes good with food...in it. Have we ever mentioned how much we love food?

Ya. We thought so. 

Enter Sam's Tavern.

There is this little spot in Capitol Hill that is a little grimey, but in a good way, and serves up awesome burgers with friendly service. You can find a moose head, Mrs. Pacman, and a Henry mural in their spot and they have Happy Hour $1 cans of Rainier. Could this place be any more Seattle? 

Oh, did we also mention Sam's Tavern is run by the son of the creators of Red Robin? He probably had to learn to grill a perfect burger before he was allowed to learn how to read. 

The chili also gets our vote.

The chili also gets our vote.

#PNW

#PNW

The Henry mural is hidden in the back of the bar!

The Henry mural is hidden in the back of the bar!

Don't be intimidated...you got this.

Don't be intimidated...you got this.

The sign of any good dive bar is dolla dolla bills as decorations.

The sign of any good dive bar is dolla dolla bills as decorations.

Pretty in Pink: The Continued Rise of Rosé in the Northwest

Picture by Amy L. Dickson: Beckham Estate Vineyards 2014 Oregon rosé made from pinot noir; $12/glass at Heartwood Provisions.

Picture by Amy L. Dickson: Beckham Estate Vineyards 2014 Oregon rosé made from pinot noir; $12/glass at Heartwood Provisions.

Earlier this week I wandered into Heartwood Provisions in downtown Seattle and was handed a short happy hour menu at the bar. A quick scan left me defeated: “What? No rosé on the glass pour menu?” The bartender laughed and said, “Actually, we have two!”

My kind of place.

The sun has returned full force to the Pacific Northwest and with it, rosé season. If we were in Europe right now, positively everyone would be sipping cool glasses of blushy wine. And while the Northwest may be well known for peppery syrah, hearty cabs, and inky malbecs, we can use those gorgeous grapes to make rosé.

Once maligned and misunderstood, (a colleague of mine went so far as to say he would never understand why people like to mix red and white wine together?!?!?), rosé is going through a renaissance in North America. No longer confused with the sweet, cloying horror that is white zinfandel, rosé is a sophisticated drink. A pleasurable drink. Here are a few solid reasons why it’s easy to drink pink these days:

1. Rosé wines, whether imported from Europe or home grown in the PNW, are fairly affordable. Sometimes very affordable. The French import I’ve been scooping up weekly at Fred Meyer comes in at $8.99 and is lovely on its own or as a base for an orange and pomegranate sangria.

2.    The balanced acidity means that rosé plays nicely with so many foods, especially ones you want to eat on a warm summer day: salami, salmon, olives, grilled vegetables, prosciutto, and melon…the list goes on and is ideal for a picnic.

3.    When you buy a bottle of rosé, you have a fairly good idea of what it will taste like. They range from fruity to savory, but flavors like melon, strawberry, and sometimes a little bit of pepper can all be in there.

4.    There’s no need to keep these pretty bottles in the cellar — they don’t really get better with age, so enjoy immediately.

5.    Rosé can be made in any wine-growing region of the world, so the supply is definitely there, even though most rosé wines still come from France.

Not sure about rosé? Maybe you’d like to try a few first? You’re not alone and that’s why Seattle Uncorked’s 14th Annual Rosé Revival event sells out nearly every year. Held at Ray’s Boathouse on the evening of May 26, 2016, you can take in the sunset as you sample wines from more than 30 northwest and international wineries debuting their summer favorites. 

Find something you like? There’s a wine store on site for you to buy. General admission tickets are only $35 and VIP access is $50. All proceeds from the event support Save Our Wild Salmon.

I’ve attended in years past and have always come away with new or interesting bottles. I’d say they are down in my cellar, but I’d be lying — it’s time for me to go stock up for summer as well.

See you there and Salud!

Past Rosé Revival photo by Nityia Design

Past Rosé Revival photo by Nityia Design

Past Rosé Revival photo by Nityia Design

Past Rosé Revival photo by Nityia Design

Past Rosé Revival photo by Nityia Design

Past Rosé Revival photo by Nityia Design

Amy L. Dickson is a communications professional, freelance writer, and contributor to Rain or Shine Guides. She’s currently training at the NW Wine Academy for her Level 1 sommelier certification. Follow her at @amyldickson75.

The Best Donut Shops in the PNW

Ahhhh America. The Land of the Brave, Home of the Free. 

Some may argue, try to tear us down, but let us stand tall and proud, for we are responsible for one of the greatest inventions of all time. That's right, it is our obligation to correct those nay-sayers because America is responsible for the creation of the donut. 

So the next time you hear someone stating how America is not great, drive to one of the below locations, buy a donut, bring it back, and stuff it in their mouths. Don't worry, they might initially be surprised and possibly even angry, but as that sugary, flaky dough melts in their mouths they will smile and say thank you. 

Seattle/Tacoma Favorites

1. Mighty-O Donuts

MIghty-O started up in Seattle in 2000 with the foundation to create an all-organic donut, which wasn't being done by anyone else at the time. Now they are sold all over the city and have a unique niche, being completely vegan. Nice! 

2. General Porpoise

IMG_8453.jpg

General Porpoise joins the ranks of Renee Erickson foodie spots in Seattle, and it is definitely up to par. All the donuts are filled with delicious, no, decadant stuffings and you will find yourself wanting to lick the powdered sugar topping off the plate to keep it from ending.

3. Daily Dozen Donuts

daily dozen.JPG

This Pike Place Market establishment bakes fresh, mini donuts throughout the day for tourists who don't know what they have stumbled upon and locals who come back every day to fuel their addiction. Put yourself in one of these categories and get down there now. Cinnamon sugar is the best.

4. Rodeo Donuts

Rodeo Donuts was born in the bakery of Cupcake Royale, a place we trust deeply for all our sugary cravings. Their idea? Take donuts to the next level. With unique, fresh ingredients used every day and donuts served fresh out of the fryer (man we love that phrase) they succeed every. single. time.

5. Legendary Donuts

This shop in Tacoma is filled to the brim with over-sized sugary cakes. You can find something for everyone with their huge variety of flavors (with fun names too such as the Fred Flintstone and the Chubby Checker), no matter what you pick be sure to plan a couple hours after eating for your sugar coma. 

Vancouver Favorites

1. Harmony Donut Shop

You would miss it if it weren't for the sign!

You would miss it if it weren't for the sign!

So warm, so fresh.

So warm, so fresh.

This shop in North Vancouver is easy to miss in an unassuming strip mall, but seriously, don't miss it. The donuts are amazing, but the shop itself makes it an unforgettable experience. It is covered floor to ceiling and corner to corner in antique collectables from action figures to scooters. You could dig around for hours!

2. Honey Doughnuts and Goodies

Crispy outside, squishy honey inside! MMmmmm.

Crispy outside, squishy honey inside! MMmmmm.

Honey Doughnuts in Deep Cove serves up these unique, honey soaked doughnuts as their specialty. Each bite oozes sweet honey. Winney the Poo would destroy their display case to get to all these puppies. Yum.

3. Cartem Donuterie

First, we love that this place uses the term donuterie, and we instantly have faith they will provide top notch treats. Then you see their flavors and you can't wait to come back enough times to try them all. Or you could just get one of everything. We love donuts more than Christmas, we won't judge.

Portland Favorites

1. Blue Star Donuts

Photo: Erin Jackson

Photo: Erin Jackson

Let us just leave you a list of some of Blue Stars made from scratch starting at 3AM everyday donuts: Blueberry Bourbon Basil, Chocolate Almond Ganache, Cointrea Infused Creme Brulee, Passionfruit Cocoa Nib...do we need to go on? Okay, fine. Lemon Poppy Buttermilk, Marionberry Pepper Jam....

2. Voodoo Doughnut

Photo: Mike McGraw

This place is famous for a reason. Key things you need to know. Cash only. Open 24/7. You can get married here. Go make some bad decisions. 

3. Sesame Donuts

Photo: Nick Zukin

This is your place to get the traditional but delicious donuts you know and love. And just saying the Internet says scientific research shows that people who eat Sesame Donuts have a much higher I.Q. than those who eat other brands. Truth.

Hungry yet?