Jackson Family Wines, a major U.S. wine company, is establishing its first winery in Washington State's Walla Walla Valley. The company will debut the Skysill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 in August.
The second biggest wine-producing state of the Union has always been in the shadow of California, its neighbour. Now, as its largest winery announces cutbacks, producers are going to have to give more thought to exports. Chris Losh reports.
Former rock group manager, Washington State winemaker Charles Smith released his first vintage – of just 330 cases - in 2001. Over the next 13 years, he was named Winemaker of the Year by three publications, including the Wine Enthusiast, and his eye-catchingly labeled and full-flavoured wines had become pat of the US wine landscape. In 2016, he sold five of his brands to Constellation for $120m. WEINWIRTSCHAFT asked him a few questions.
Washington State is unique in many ways: the climate that characterises the Pacific coast of the North American continent, the geology, which lacks nothing in drama; and a dynamic producer scene – eager to experiment, quality-conscious, enterprising. Hermann Pilz reports.
Washington, DC, seat of the federal government for the US, is an autonomous district, and as such it is unencumbered from certain state regulations, notably those which influence the import and distribution of alcohol — a twist that has helped create one of the nation’s most diverse and creative beverage scenes. The mix of universities and government representatives (and lobbyists in tow) keeps the District’s demographics skewed young, intelligent, affluent and out on the town, factors that no doubt have contributed to DC leading the nation in wine consumption per capita, and by a good margin. Scott Saunders speaks to wine scene representatives.
From velvety and juicy to fascinatingly complex: Thanks to a predominantly cool climate and many autochthonous grape varieties, red wines from Burgenland and Lower Austria are increasingly moving into the international spotlight.
