Sauvignon Gris (SO vin nyawn GREE)

A grayish pink skinned genetic mutation of sauvignon blanc (gris means “gray” in French). Less aromatic and less “green” tasting than sauvignon blanc and less edgy on the palate. Grown primarily in Bordeaux and Chile, though there are also experimental plantings in California.

The first wineries established in the Pacific Northwest were located in Idaho.

Answer: True.

While you might imagine that Washington State or Oregon was home to most of the first wineries in the Pacific Northwest, it's actually Idaho. German and French immigrants planted grapes there as early as 1864. In fact, an article in the Idaho Statesman from September 1865 reported that a vineyard of Royal Muscadine cuttings was planted a year previously. However, as was the case with so many states, Prohibition took a debilitating toll on the industry and brought production to a halt. Idaho's modern wine industry went through a revival in the 1970s, and there are now 52 wineries in the state, with 1300 acres of vineyards, according to the Idaho Wine Commission.

National Ice Cream Month

With July being National Ice Cream Month, the pressure’s on to answer a fundamental question: what wine is best with ice cream? Being something of a traditionalist, I’m going with vanilla ice cream and PX… Continue reading

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