12/09/05 New favorite - Chinook wines

Welcome to Vine to Wine, this is your host Linda Moran, and as many of you know my new favorite wine is usually the wine that is in my glass at the time. I simply do not bother drinking wine that I do not enjoy. Just about a week ago I had a very nice wine from Chinook Wines. A winery that I often rave about during the summer because, I am nuts over their Rose of Cab Franc, and the red Cabernet Franc. Yes I have long been a fan of Chinook Wines. I think highly of the partnership forged by owners Kay Simon and Clay Mackey. They are delightful people and they have been making stellar wines for many years. With that said let me preface this recommendation by saying that Chardonnay and Merlot are not the first two varietals that I seek out when I am tasting wine. Well that is all changing for me! Today I am here to say go to the store got to the internet and even if you don't think that you like Chardonnay or Merlot  let Kay Simon change your mind. She has made a believer out of me. The 2000 Yakima Valley Chardonnay is glorious. Nice and crisp not too much oak. And the 1999 Yakima Valley Merlot is about 60% from one of my favorite Washington growers Dick Boushey. It is so smooth and easy to drink but the depth of flavor is really showing off what Merlot can be like from this region. I cannot guarantee that these two wines are still available but they are listed on the website chinookwines.com. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.