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Brian Carter Cellars Tasting Room Update
Dear Wine Club members and friends,
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support during these unprecedented times.
Throughout the past months we have been closely monitoring the coronavirus COVID-19 developments and following guidance from the CDC, as well as state and local officials, as we keep the well-being of our guests and staff as our top priority.
We remain committed to provide you with a safe and memorable experience when you visit Brian Carter Cellars Tasting Rooms.
Our current health and safety practices include the required use of protective masks for all staff members and guest unless they are seated. To maximize social distancing within our patio tent, we are offering limited outdoor service at 25% capacity by reservation only. At this moment, we are unable to accommodate guests under 21 and pets.
We have also strengthened our cleanliness and hygiene practices including more frequent, longer hand washing, as well as cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and items in our tasting room.
While the State of Washington is now allowing us to open indoors at 25% capacity, we have, out of an abundance of caution, made the decision to remain open outdoors only at least through the month of February. We feel this is the best policy for the safety of our customers and staff, and we will review the situation again on March 1 to decide at that point on how to proceed.
We employ these measures to ensure you can enjoy the best wine tasting experience when visiting us while also offering a safe workplace for our staff.
We thank you for your patience and understanding.
While we have enjoyed seeing some of you on our outdoor patio during the past months, we look forward to welcoming all our members and friends for indoors service in the near future. Meanwhile, be safe, and stay well. For daily updates please reach us at info@briancartercellars.com
Cheers!
The Brian Carter Cellars team
Be the first to comment on this postA Trip to the Vineyard: Veraison is Here
Having just returned from the vineyards in Eastern Washington, I can report that veraison is underway. Veraison is when grape berries change color and texture on their way to ripening. Before veraison, the berries are hard and green, while after the berries are soft and red or light yellow, depending on the grape variety. This transformation is much easier to see in red varieties where it is easy to see the percentage of berries have changed color. In the picture to the left, about half the berries are either starting or are through the process of veraison. This picture was taken at Stone Tree Vineyard, Wahluke Slope, where veraison was the most advanced of the ten vineyards I visited this week.
Veraison can be a critical time for winemakers and growers. It marks an essential transition for the ripening process. There are a couple of thoughts on how long it takes between veraison and harvest, all of which depend on the area, weather and the grape variety. Some people say six weeks is a good measure, but it indeed can be longer or shorter. In any case, it is time to start getting the picking bins and tanks ready; harvest is right around the corner!
Veraison can also be an important time to start the process of ‘green thinning.’ Winemakers and growers work together to determine if the vine is in balance: is there the appropriate amount of crop on the vine for the fruit to ripen in a timely way and maximize quality? If the crop is too large, this is a particularly good time to trim some of the clusters as it is easy to see which ones are lagging behind. When the greener clusters are thinned in favor of the redder ones, it evens out the ripeness of the clusters on the vine and is an important quality consideration as it will lead to more uniformly ripe clusters when picked. Some varieties tend to ripen more evenly than others, so this process is more important in varieties that tend to have uneven ripeness such as Petit Verdot. It is important to time ‘green thinning’ so that you can see the lagging green clusters. Often this is when about 80% of the berries have completed veraison. On my latest trip, most of the vineyards were still little early for green thinning to occur. I will be returning in a few weeks to walk the vines and talk to the growers on how to proceed.
~Brian Carter, Winemaker
Aug 10, 2018 at 9:59 AM
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Brian Carter Cellars Honored at 2018 Northwest Wine Summit
Brian Carter Cellars was awarded the “Winery of Distinction” award at the 23rd annual Northwest Wine Summit, for capturing twelve medals across a full spectrum of styles.
Brian Carter Cellars was awarded four ‘Best of Category’ for 2013 Le Coursier, 2013 Solesce, 2013 Ace, and 2015 Opulento.
Brian Carter is “deeply honored to have Brian Carter Cellars chosen for this highly competitive award, especially in a year where we are remembering Parks Redwine. This award along with the many honors we have received is a great tribute to the Washington growers who provide us with such superlative grapes and to my hardworking staff who continue to contribute to making Brian Carter Cellars great.”
The founder of the Competition Parks Redwine recently passed away on June 3, 2018. His illness developed during this year’s competition. Parks founded the Northwest Wine Summit in 1996, he truly loved the northwest and he championed their wines and producers at each opportunity.
The current team that manages the Northwest Wine Summit and the Redwine family plan to continue the competition and have incorporated memorial awards in the honor and memory of H. Parks Redwine.
Approximately 320 producers of wines, ciders, sake and spirits produced in the Pacific Northwest, specifically Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. This year’s judging was held in British Columbia and Hood River, Oregon, at the Columbia Gorge Hotel.
Details of the competition can be found at http://parksredwine.com/nwws/results.php
Best of Category/Gold Medal
2015 Opulento
2013 Le Coursier
2013 Solesce
Silver Medal
2015 Abracadabra Red
2014 Byzance
2013 Tuttorosso
2014 Trentenaire
2014 ONE Cabernet Sauvignon
Bronze Medal
2016 Oriana
2014 Corrida
2014 ONE Syrah
Brian Carter Rosé Rises to the Top of Washington State Wine Competition
Brian Carter Cellars topped the 2018 Washington State Wine Competition with its 2017 Abracadabra Rosé, winning Best of Show at this year’s competition. This is the second time in five years that Brian Carter Cellars has been awarded Best of Show, 2009 Solesce won the honors at the 2014 Washington State Wine Competition. The 2017 Abracadabra Rosé beat out 286 entries for Best of Show award.
Brian Carter thinks “rosé is here to stay, it used to be that in the tasting room we’d offer them rosé and customers would look askance at it, saying that rosé was what their mother or grandmother used to drink,” Carter believes that “people are realizing what a delightful wine it is.”
Brian Carter’s primary source for Sangiovese is Willard Farms, a venerable vineyard managed by Jim Willard along Snipes Road and known by some as Solstice Vineyard. Also included are Syrah, Grenache, Malbec and Mourvèdre in the Abracadabra Rosé.
“We call it our ‘magical blend’ because while it does not vary significantly from year to year, I don’t agonize over ‘two percent of this’ or ‘two percent of that’ like I do with my other blends. It’s more serendipitous where this wine ends up each year.”
The 35th year of the statewide competition was staged in Grandview, WA, and serves as a scholarship fundraiser for the Yakima Valley College’s viticulture and enology program.
Details of the competition can be found at www.greatnorthwestwine.com
Double Gold Medal
Brian Carter Cellars 2014 Trentenaire
Gold Medal
Brian Carter Cellars 2015 Opulento
Brian Carter Cellars 2015 Takahashi Dedication Series
Silver Medal
Brian Carter Cellars 2014 Byzance Red Wine
Brian Carter Cellars 2014 ONE Syrah
Brian Carter Cellars 2015 Abracadabra Red Wine
Brian Carter Cellars 2016 Oriana White Wine
Bronze Medal
Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Le Coursier Red Wine
Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Solesce Red Wine
Brian Carter Cellars 2014 Corrida Red Wine
Jun 26, 2018 at 12:08 PM
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April 2018 Newsletter
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What attracted you to work for Brian Carter Cellars?
STEM: Science Uncorked – Friday, June 1st 4-6pm
Summer Music on the Patio – Friday, June 8th 4-6pm
A Brush of Pink – Friday, June 8th 7-9:30pm
Summer Music on the Patio – Friday, July 13th 4-6pm
Glassybaby Pop-Up for Motley Zoo Animal Rescue Friday, July 13th 4-6pm
Summer Music on the Patio – Friday, Aug 10th 4-6pm May 1, 2018 at 2:42 PM
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March 2018 Newsletter
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Saturday, March 31, 2018
Learn more about Brian Carter Cellars and the man behind our delicious blends. Listen to Brian’s interview on 
The New Vintage 
Tasting at Champion Wine Cellars
Glassbaby Pop-Up for Homeward Bound Pet Rescue Mar 1, 2018 at 10:22 AM
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February 2018 Newsletter
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Love is in the Air at Brian Carter Cellars
Chocolate and port-style wine have always made the perfect pair (almost as perfect as the pairing of you and your lover!). Not to worry because this year we’ve made it easy for you with our Valentine Special. One bottle of our 375ml Opulento Retail: $29 Brian Carter Cellars Opulento is a deep impenetrable garnet color, aromas of raspberry, cherry and chocolate with hints of almond and orange peel. On the palate this wine has opulent flavors of chocolate and berry fruits with a perfectly balanced and satisfyingly sweet finish. Paired with your favorite Wellington dark chocolates infused with the same decadent wine.
Valid while supplies last. Additional discounts do not apply. Sale valid through: February 28, 2018
Winery News
Excerpt from Wine Press Northwest Article by
This year Brian Carter Cellars, moved up on the Platinum’s all-time tote board with six awards and doing so in extraordinary fashion. Perhaps the region’s most decorated when it comes to proprietary blends, Brian Carter Cellars earned a total of five platinum awards and one double platinum this year. Brian’s Petit Verdot-based 2013 Trentenaire earned Double Platinum while the 2007 received a Platinum. He also continued his stellar work with his Byzance. The 2013 vintage marked the fourth time in the past six years he’s earned a Platinum for this Southern Rhone-style blend based on Grenache. Double Platinum • 2013 Trentenaire Red Wine, Yakima Valley • Few winemakers would attempt to create a Bordeaux-style red wine using Petit Verdot (62%) as the foundation, but master blender Brian Carter shows the way with this wine that references, in French, the Oregon native’s three decades as a winemaker in Washington. StoneTree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope contributes much of the five-variety Bordeaux blend, which offers violets and dark fruit on the nose. The palate, rich in flavor with black raspberry, licorice and Montmorency cherry, includes a touch of herbs and a thread of minerality. It’s complex and remarkably balanced through the cocoa-dusted finish. Platinum • 2013 Byzance Red Wine, Columbia Valley • Inspired by Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Brian Carter’s winning formula of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre from Boushey, Lonesome Springs, Stillwater Creek and StoneTree also includes Counoise and Cinsault. Alluring signs of barrel influence include caramel and mocha that allow for a rush of cherry and raspberry that’s finished by a pinch of sweet dill, toasted walnut and clove. Platinum • 2016 Abracadabra Rosé, Columbia Valley • Master blender Brian Carter takes a winning, albeit unusual, approach by weaving five varieties that do well on their own as rosé - Sangiovese, Grenache, Syrah, Malbec, Cinsault. He used it to top a field of 122 entries for our spring rosé tasting, and it continues to sing using a crisp approach with cranberry, Rainier cherry, melon and orange slices. Platinum • 2012 Solesce Red Wine, Columbia Valley • It is fitting that Brian Carter’s Left Bank-inspired blend, which he names for a Latin reference to “sun and essence” features Cabernet Sauvignon from Klipsun Vineyard on Red Mountain. Berries and spice on the nose turn juicy with cassis and dark plum flavors as tobacco walks among nicely understated oak and subtle tannins.
Platinum • 2007 Trentenaire Red Wine, Columbia Valley • A decade beyond its birth, Brian Carter’s blend of Petit Verdot continues to mature majestically. Brooding aromas open to a powerhouse of flavors — blackberry, plum, black cherry — and focused graphite elements then meld with a touch of herbs. It’s muscular and rich from first whiff to final drop. Check out the full article for a full list of all the winners and see how a platinum is awarded. Click Here
Winter Wine Club Release Party
Thursday, February 22nd or Featuring music performed by Sheri Greimes
This will be the first opportunity for Red Wine Lovers to pick-up your 2018 Winter Release, with three of our most exquisite wines.
2013 Byzance 2013 Le Coursier 2014 Corrida
Byzance Special
Experience the region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape yourself with our 2012 Byzance, with its complex nose of bright red cherries, tar, white pepper and the garigue spice it will transport you to the fields of Provence. Save up to 35% off when you purchase a full case of Brian Carter Cellars 2012 Byzance, one of our most highly decorated wines.
Call for special Wine Club pricing: 425.806.9463 Valid while supplies last. Additional discounts do not apply. Sale valid through: February 25, 2018
Brian Carter Cellars Calendar
SAVE THE DATE! Brian Carter Cellars Winery (14030 NE 145th Street, Woodinville, WA) Stay tuned for ticket information coming soon.
Gina Belliveau is a Tacoma-based musician who plays looped, percussive acoustic folk with an Achilles heel for ridiculous pop cover tunes. Her ever expanding repertoire runs the gamut from Billie Holiday to Billie Jean.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist David Flett plays solo acoustic originals and covers that captivate audiences with a deft hand and an open heart.
Brian Carter Cellars Tasting Room Copyright (C) 2017 Brian Carter Cellars. All rights reserved. |
All you need is Love
Pacific Northwest Wine Press Platinum Awards
Platinum • 2007 Le Coursier Red Wine, Columbia Valley • It was two years in barrel and two more in the bottle before Brian Carter first released this Bordeaux-style blend that leads with Merlot from Solstice (planted in 1980) and StoneTree vineyards. The blue and black fruit aroma leads to a spice-enhanced entry. Flavors of dusty dark plum, sweet tobacco, blueberry compote and sweet and savory notes are carried by a silky texture to a long, oak-kissed finish.
European Style blended wines are Brian Carter’s passion. No wine and no region has inspired him more than Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The terroir of Washington expresses itself with an identity truly reminiscent of the Southern Rhone. Feb 8, 2018 at 2:59 PM
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Happy Holidays
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Holiday Gifting Ideas With Chanukah already here and just a few days left till Christmas, Santa is making his list and checking it twice. Brian Carter Cellars has you covered for all the wine lovers on your gift list, and of course you can always treat yourself! A little gift for yourself never hurt.
Which is your favorite? We have large format bottles available in the following veriatals: 2012 Corrida, 2010 Tuttorosso, 2010 Le Coursier, 2010 Trentenaire, 2010 Solesce and even a few 2009 Solesce available. (Wine Club pricing is 20% off 1 bottle, 25% off 2 bottles, and 30% off 3+ bottles).
Stop by the tasting room for your gift packs today.
We are closed on the following days to allow our employees to enjoy the holiday
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Winery News!!
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The Carter Collection
In 2010, Brian Carter Cellars released our first ONE series wine, a 2007 Malbec from Stone Tree Vineyards. Since then we have been making limited releases of single varietal wines that complement our classic European-style blends. The ONE designation is used to denote a line of wines made entirely from ONE varietal and from ONE vineyard. It is important to note that each lot of grapes is brought into the winey as a varietal, and fermented, barreled and racked as a single vineyard, single varietal. As Brian is evaluating each lot during the spring and summer blending, there is occasionally a lot that separates itself from the rest. Many times, this special lot goes into the blend because it adds that special touch. Sometimes the varietal intensity is so outstanding that Brian doesn’t use it all in the blend. For example, when he needs the Cabernet Franc character in the Le Coursier but doesn’t want the Cabernet Franc to overwhelm the blend. Brian might blend two barrels of a six-barrel Cabernet Franc lot and keep the other four barrels to be released as part of the ONE series. Other times, Brian might have two great Cabernet lots he is evaluating for Solesce and the one works best for blending, and the other is exceptional on its own, then he may set it aside for ONE. So far, we have made between 1-3 ONE wines per year, each being small lots of 50 to 150 cases each. Most recently we have released three ONE wines, all three of which are outstanding examples of their variety:
Dark in color, the wine opens with a very European perfume showing of pie cherries, dried herbs and flowers with a touch of wild game. Classic Chianti flavors and food friendly acidity associated with the great wines of Italy make this wine a standout with red tomato sauces and high fat meats such as short ribs or cinghiale (‘wild boar’ in Italian).
Very dark in color, the wine has classic varietal characters of cassis and blackberry with added notes of cedar and coffee in the aroma, running seamlessly onto the palate. A Bordeaux like balance of well-integrated tannins and acids shows off a wine of both dimension and charm.
This wine is dark garnet in color, with intense and complex aromas including black cherry, blackberry, raspberry and pomegranate with hints of earth and toasted oak. The palate is round with just the right hints of tannin for aging and a balanced lengthy finish. |
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Brian Carter Cellars Calendar We are closed on the following days to allow our employees to enjoy the holiday
Join us for a delicious afternoon with local chocolatier. Scarlata Untamed Chocolate will be serving up samples of their fine chocolates to enjoy with our European inspired blended wines. |
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Brian Carter Cellars Tasting Room
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Have the crew coming over this holiday season? Our large format bottles, now on special, will make the wine lover on your gift list very merry...they might even share!
Drawing a blank on what to give that special someone on your list? How about an Opulento vertical holiday gift pack with one bottle each of 2013 & 2014 Opulento. It makes the perfect holiday or hostess gift. The wine is deep garnet in color with aromas of raspberry, cherry and chocolate with hints of almond and orange peel. On the palate this wine has opulent flavors of chocolate and berry fruits with a long, perfectly balanced sweet finish.
Now that grapes have been harvested and pressed, the winery crew can relax a bit, but the work does not stop. Our assistant winemaker, Robert Takahashi, is busy in the lab running the 2017 wines for TA, pH, alcohol, sugar and malic acid. Kelly, our cellar hand is busy racking red barrels, while the white and rosé barrels are about to be topped off. Brian is planning ahead for spring bottling and thinking about putting the finishing touches on a couple of final 2016 blends. So far, the 2017 wines are looking good with deeply colored reds and balanced fruit, Brian is tasting the wines daily and he has not picked his favorites quite yet.
Brian Carter Cellars is the first Washington State winery to focus exclusively on blends which arose from Brian’s passion for blended wines. He loves the process of blending, starting with walking the vineyard thinking about how a varietal of grape will contribute to pairing these wines with seasonal food. As great as blends are, Brian acknowledges that some of the best wines in the world are 100% varietal. Some of the best examples being Pinot Noirs from Oregon or Chardonnays from Burgundy. Although Brian might be slightly biased, he has been known to stick his neck out and say that blends are among the finest wines made in Washington.
2012 Sangiovese: These grapes came off the vine in late October, looking like a great wine was going to be made. Indeed, most of this lot went into our 2012 Tuttorosso blend which is a stand-out wine from this stand-out vintage. Brian did manage to pry away three barrels of his favorite Sangiovese from the Boushey Vineyard. It isn’t the easiest grape to grow, it takes a particularly special site to do well, and in only the best years can it make a stand-alone wine worthy of the ONE label.
2011 Cabernet Sauvignon: Red Mountain has long been Brian’s favorite source for Cabernet Sauvignon and the E & E Shaw, vineyard, owned and operated by Ed and Eve Shaw has ranked up there near the top. The 2011 vintage was much cooler than usual resulting in Brian making the decision not to make any 2011 Solesce. This spectacular wine, however, stood out above the rest and demanded to be bottled on its own.
2013 Merlot: This is our first Merlot under the ONE label. Coming from the Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, this is one of the most outstanding blocks of Merlot in a state that makes a lot of great Merlot. Having tasted Merlot wines from all over the world, Brian maintains that Washington has the best expression of Merlot fruit from anywhere.
Wine and Chocolate Pairing Event - January 27, 2017 1-4pm Dec 18, 2017 at 1:17 PM
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What's going on at Brian Carter Cellars in November
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Welcome We welcome you to our monthly newsletter! We have rejuvenated this newsletter to stay connected and share with you what’s happening at Brian Carter Cellars. You’ll find that it is filled with news, helpful hints and tips, future events, and even some recipes on occasion. If ever you don't wish to continue receiving it, simply click 'unsubscribe' at the bottom of any issue. We want this newsletter to be valuable for you so please share your feedback and suggestions to help us improve. Contact Us 
This past September we said “Buongiorno” to Mike Stevens. Mike along with Brian Carter founded Brian Carter Cellars in 2005. |
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Harvest 2017 Wednesday, November 8th marked the end of harvest 2017 as we pressed off the last of our grapes! This year will be one to remember as we experienced some things we have not seen in previous vintages. Of course, every vintage has its own unique features and no two are the same. Due to a combination of wet weather early, hot temperatures in early September, and fairly cool temperatures in October made for an up and down journey, for both the grapes and the winemakers. These unusual conditions made it harder to choose picking times as both the sugar/acid numbers, and the flavors coming from the vineyards were harder to pin to past experiences. We certainly could say that all is well as the wines are tasting good coming out of fermentation. Of course, it is still very early to tell but overall, Brian is pleased with what he is tasting. In particular, some of the later picked red varieties such as Grenache, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot seem to be shining with good color intensity, nice fruit and acid balance. |
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Introducing the Brian Carter Cabernet Sauvignon / Syrah I am very proud to introduce the Inaugural Edition of our Dedication Series of wines. My passion is making great blended wines and I offer a great selection of them, largely inspired by the classical blends of Europe. Never wanting to stand still, I am offering up a new series of blended wines outside of the box (but still inside the bottle). Each wine will be unique in its blend and unique in to whom it is dedicated. For our first of the series I have made a blend of two varieties less often blended in Europe but a blend rapidly becoming a Washington State Classic: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
This wine is dedicated to my Grandfather A.W. "Nick" Carter who learned to fly before he learned to drive. During World War I he was stationed in France where he is credited with 17 air victories, earning several medals including the Distinguished Service Cross. He also had a very positive effect on my life and gave me many of my best memories as a young boy. I have named this wine, one of distinguished character, 'ACE' after my beloved Grandfather Nick. - Brian Carter Exclusive to Wine Club Members |
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Special Tasting with Array Cellars November 18, 2017 2 - 5pm 
Join us for an afternoon with Array Cellars in the Brian Carter Tasting Room. We have a special relationship with Array Cellars in that Brian Carter is also their winemaker. Their goal is to bring you three unique bottlings, each expressing something different but clearly Washington chardonnay. Join us for a fun afternoon of tasting. 2013 Washington State - Full ripe flavors of hazelnut, citrus, apple and vanilla. Good depth and a lingering finish with firm acidity. Retail: $25 Wine Club: $21.25 2013 Celilo Vineyard - These old vine clones produce a wine with citrus/lemon aromas and flavors, powerful acidity, and a notable mineral finish. These vines have produced chardonnay aging well for 20 years and more, rivaling legendary counterparts Hanzell and Stony Hill in California. Retail: $32 Wine Club: $27.50 2013 Dijon Clone - Taken from a single block of Dijon clone 76 in the Otis Harlan vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Believed to be the oldest such vines in the state. Our most burgundian wine, with a brilliant gold color, deep flavors of peach and marzipan, and a long silky finish from “sur lie” aging. Retail: $32 Wine Club: $27.50 |
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Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving What will you be serving with your Thanksgiving dinner?
Question: Red, White or Rose? - A good and simple strategy for Thanksgiving wine is to offer a great bottle of each to allow your guests their choice. Plus, it's a good opportunity to introduce your guests to something new that they might not have tried before. |
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Brian Carter Cellars Calendar Special Tasting Event with Array Cellars - November 18, 2017 2-5pm Closed for Thanksgiving - November 23, 2017 Wine and Chocolate Pairing Event - November 29, 2017 2:30-5pm St. Nick's "Cure-ated" Wine Tasting Night - December 1, 2017 7-9:30pm |
For red wine, look for soft tannins that will yield to and blend with your dishes and will delight most red wine lovers without overpowering lighter turkey flavors. The ripeness of the 2012 Byzanse with its complex nose of bright red cherries, tar, white pepper and the garigue spice that you get walking the fields of Provence is the perfect complement for Thanksgiving. The wine explodes in your mouth with lots of bright fruit and finishes with a long slightly earthy mineral note. A great balance and a hint of tannin make this wine a great match for a wide range of foods, including your mother-in-law's stuffing recipe. Nov 15, 2017 at 9:36 AM
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Washington Winery of the Year award arrived!
Our official Washington Winery of the Year award arrived today! We are very grateful for this recognition. To learn more about Brian Carter Cellars winning the Washington Winery of the Year Click Here
