Battle in Seattle II:Washington v. Rioja

This is the second installment in my End of the World Battle in Seattle series.  The battles were interrupted as my world almost ended on 12/12/12 when a car hit me riding my bike to work.  I'm really lucky to have "only" sustained a cracked rib along with some cuts.  The worst issue is a disk pressing on a nerve in my back.  That nerve pain is like nothing I have ever felt and hope to never experience again once I recover.

In this week's match a Washington Tempranillo works on bringing the pain down on a Spanish challenger from Rioja.

2009 Bartholomew Tempranillo v. 2007 Vina Eguia Rioja Reserva

Battle in Seattle I: Washington v. Australia

According to the Mayan calendar the world will end on December 21st.  Or, perhaps, the calendar just starts over again at the beginning.  Or...

A lot of people have jumped on the end of the world band wagon so I figured I might as well hop on for the ride and see where it takes me.

Three of my favorite Seattle Urban Wineries are hosting an End of the World party on December 21st.  As a lead up to their event, I will feature each of their wines in a series of matches I am calling The Battle in Seattle.

Match number 1 features a Washington Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend taking on an Australian blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.  These bruisers go toe to toe in a match that could shake the Earth to its core.

2008 Laurelhurst Cellars Azorica v. 2002 Taltarni Cephas

Walla Walla Cab vs. Argentina

This is the time of year when the pros are searching for warm training environs so they can get back to the ABCs of bike racing.  All the contracts are signed and the team rosters are set.  Some of the teams are holding training camps and team building experiences like swimming with dolphins, playing war games or pretending to be mountain climbers.

Whatever the activity may be, it is all about getting on the same page, building some comaraderie and getting the ABCs for their season dialed in

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features the ABC (and Ws) of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Argentina Crios 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon v. 2009 Brand Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla