Thursday, December 26, 2013

Cross State Washington Cabernet Clash

December is cyclocross season for the pro bike racers and some of the best racers are battling it out in Belgium.  The race conditions get brutal at this time of year with all sorts of mud, sand and snow all topped off with thousands of screaming fans lining the courses.

Our weather may not be quite so radical, but this week's battle just might be worthy of the hype.  The final installment in the Lucha Vino Seattle Urban Wineries v. Lake Chelan AVA intra-state rivalry series features a clash of Cabernet Sauvignons - what some people call The King of Grapes.  This one is a doozy, featuring a young gun stepping up to challenge a wily veteran.

2010 OS Winery BSH vs. 2005 Chelan Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Washington State Syrah Smackdown

The pro road cyclists are on vacation for the next couple of months.  While the pros relax I'm picking up my Seattle Urban Wineries vs. Lake Chelan intra-state rivalry series.

This week's match features Eight Bells 2009 Yakima Valley Syrah representing Seattle and Nefarious 2009 Defiance Estate Syrah defending the honor of Lake Chelan.

Eight Bells 2009 Yakima Valley Syrah v. Nefarious 2009 Defiance Syrah

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Washington Tempranillo v. Ribera del Duero

The World Championships took place in Italy a couple of weeks ago.  Spain had the perfect setup to win the race, but something weird happened in the final kilometers of the race. 

Joaquim Rodriguez, from Spain, had a break away lead for a significant length of time at the end of the race.  With less than 5 km to go in the race Rodriguez sill held a slight lead with three more riders trailing close behind: Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, Rui Costa of Portugal and Alejandro Valverde of Spain.  Rui Costa put in an attack and bridged up to Rodriguez leaving the two of them to battle it out for the victory.  Costa took the win for Portugal's first ever world men's road race championship.

Spain was perfectly situated for the victory with two riders in the final break of four.  Many observers were perplexed that Valverde did not cover Costa's attack.  Valverde's lack of action most likely cost Spain the World Championships this year.  They ended up with second and third, but that is little consolation when the top step is so close.

This week's Lucha Vino challenge pits a challenger from Ribera del Duero against a Washington State Tempranillo.  Let's see if the Spanish challenger can have any better luck than Rodriguez and Valverde.

2010 Tranche Cellars Tempranillo v. 2001 Bodegas Balbas Gran Reserva

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Washington Garnacha v. Aragon

The Vuelta Espana featured a final week of racing in Northern Spain that included a number of mountain passes and hill top finishes.  Chris Horner put together several good races and took over the race lead, putting himself in position to be the oldest grand tour winner ever.

This week we pay homage to old guys with an old vine Garnacha from Northern Spain taking on a Washington State Tempranillo.

2007 Tildio Tempranillo v. 2010 Tres Picos Borsao Garnacha

Friday, September 6, 2013

Washington Garnacha v. La Mancha

The Vuelta a Espana is in full swing with the racers spending a few days in the South of Spain last week.  There has been lots of action in the first week and some early mountain top finishes have encouraged some aggressive racing with the overall race lead changing hands several times.

One of the most intringuing racers has been Chris Horner, the "old man" of the peloton.  Horner is 41 years old and has been on the sidelines for most of the year due to knee issues.  He returned at the Tour of Utah and told everybody that the Vuelta was his goal.  So far, he is backing up his words with action!

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Garnacha from Washington taking on an "old man" from La Mancha.

2009 Almquist Family Vintners Garnacha v. 2008 Cien y Pico Garnacha

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Washington GSM v. Cotes du Rhone

It didn't take long for the pro racers to return to France.  This past week featured a short stage race just outside of Lyon, the Tour de L'Ain  Most of the big names are resting, or racing in other locations.  This gave a young racer from France an opportunity for his first professional victory.  The race is known as the 'race of friendship' and has had a different winner in each of its 25 editions.

There is no friendship in the wrestling ring.  This week features a Rhone inspired Washington Luchador taking the heat to a French challenger from the Cotes du Rhone.

2007 Chateau Faire le Pont Provence v. 2007 J Vidal Fleury Cotes du Rhone

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Washington Tempranillo vs. Ribera del Duero

The pro racers have scattered to a variety of week long stage races in the past two weeks with many of them heading South to Spain to begin preparing for the Vuelta Espana.

There were two short stage races in the North of Spain around the Ribera del Duero region.  The Vuelta a Burgos is the higher rated of the two races and includes a stage that begins in Ribera del Duero

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Washington State Tempranillo battling with a Tinto from the Ribera del Duero DOC.

2009 Bartholomew Tempranillo v. 2009 Tinto Pesquera Crianza

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Seattle v. Lake Chelan Cross State BDX Style Battle

The Tour de France is over and now the race jersey winners are cashing in on the post-tour criterium circuit.  This is an informal series of local criterium races hosted throughout France in the weeks that follow le Tour.  In these races, the jersey winners in the tour will frequently "win" the race in front of their adoring fans.  People come to see their heroes win and they rarely go home dissappointed.  The race promoters make sure of that by setting up the race results before the racers ever turn a peddle in anger.

Hmmm, sounds a bit like professional wrestling.

So, while Chris Froome gets the red carpet treatment, the Lucha Vino Challenge pits two Bordeaux style blends from Washington State against each other in a continuation of the Seattle Urban Wineries vs. Lake Chelan Battle Royale series.

Falling Rain 2007 Mischief v. CR Sandidge 2008 Caris

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Washington Syrah v. Cotes du Rhone

The Tour raced across the South of France and then made a long transfer via airplane to the far North West of the country where they completed the first Individual Time Trial of le Tour in one of the more unusual locales in France - Mont Saint Michel

I'm heading to France to see some of the racing first hand as the riders race through the Rhone Valley and the French Alps.  This week's challenge is prep work for the Rhone, a Washington Syrah faces a challenger from the Cotes du Rhone.

2010 Guardian Cellars The Informant v. 2011 Saint Cosme Syrah

Monday, July 8, 2013

Washington Rose v. Provence

Hors Delai!  Those two words can be like a knife to the heart of a bike racer.  That is the French phrase for "you missed the time cut" and now you are out of our bike race.  This post is a bit hors delai, but I am defying the Tour organizers and continuing on with the race..

The Tour de France kicked off the 100th edition on the island of Corsica.  It is hard to believe, but this is the first time le Tour has visited this island just to the South of Nice in the Mediterranean Sea.

The first three stages of the tour took place on Corsica and each offered up plenty of thrills and twists.  Stage one featured the Orica-GreenEdge team bus getting stuck under the finish line banner and a big crash that took out the majority of the top sprinters including Mark Cavendish.  Stage two had enough hills that the sprinters were left behind, many of them finish 17 minutes behind the surprise winner, Jan Bakelants, of the RadioShack Leopard team who narrowly beat a charging field by 1 second.  Stage three went a bit more to form, but once again the sprinters were dropped on one of the final climbs and Orica-GreenEdge made up for their embarrassing bus incident with Simon Gerrans taking the sprint victory.

The race left Corsica and blazed a trail across Provence.  That is where we pick up the race route.

This Lucha Vino challenge features a classic Southern France Rose' challenging a Washington Rose' that seeks inspiration from Provence.

Chateau Barbanau Cotes de Provence 2011 L'Instant v. Syncline 2012 Rose


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Seattle vs. Chelan with an Italian Twist

The Tour de France starts on Saturday.  In an interesting twist, most countries run their national championships the week before the biggest bike race of the year.  The timing of these events results in some unusual national champions.  Most professionals, at the direction of their Trade Team, will choose to race the Tour rather than contest their national championship.  Sadly, most of the pros are motivated by (and more loyal to) the paycheck they earn racing for their team than national pride.

The timing of the two races also means that many national champions do not race in the Tour de France.  Weird.  Isn't it?

Speaking of weird.  This week's challenge features the return of the Washington intrastate rivalry between the Seattle Urban Wineries and Lake Chelan.  Washington v. Washington is not weird.  Weird is the Italian inspiration featured by these two combatants.  In this case, weird is not bad.  Weird is intriguing.

2007 Stomani Terremoto v. 2007 Tsillan Cellars Piccolo Rosso

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Washington Pinot Noir vs. Burgundy

Things are slowing down on the pro cycling scene while the anticipation for the 100th edition of the Tour de France is building.  This past week saw some action on the Pro Continental scene at the Tour des Pays de Savoie.  The route is in the general vacinity of Burgundy.  That sounds like a good enough reason to break out some Burgundy.

This week's challenge features a Washington Pinot Noir from the Horse Heaven Hills facing off against a Pinot Noir from the Cote Chalonnais sub-region of Burgundy.

2010 Gilbert Cellars Pinot Noir v. 2009 Domaine Michel-Andreotti Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Washington Syrah v. Northern Rhone

The pro cyclists are putting the finishing touches on their form for the Tour de France.  There are several 7 or 8 day stage races leading up to the tour that are used for their final tune ups.  Some choose the Criterium du Dauphine.  While others choose the Tour de Suisse.

One advantage to selecting the Criterium du Dauphine is that the race shares a promoter with the Tour de France.  That usually means you get an opportunity to race on some of the same routes that will be used in July for the Grande Bucle.

Team Sky sent their number one racer, Chris Froome, to the Dauphine this year.  Just like they did in 2012 with Sir Bradley Wiggins.  The results in 2013 were the same as 2012 - a general classification win for Team Sky.

This week's matchup features Washington Syrah vs. French Syrah from the Cotes du Rhone.

2006 Nicholas Cole Dauphine v. 2011 Yves Cuilleron Les Vignes d'a Cote

Friday, May 31, 2013

Washington Pinot Grigio v. Alto Adige

Vincenzo Nibali stamped his Giro d' Italia victory with authority on the final mountain top finish last Saturday.  The final stages of the Giro were scheduled to test the climbing legs of the racers in the Dolomites in Northern Italy.  The only issue was a disagreement with Mother Nature.  The mountain passes were still getting snow in the last week of May!  The weather was so bad that the Friday stage was cancelled and Saturday's route had to be significantly modified.  Regardless, Nibali still demonstrated that he was the top dog in this year's grand tour of Italy.

Nibali finished his first Giro d' Italia general classification win with a flourish in the Alto Adige region. To honor his victory this week's matchup features a Washington Pinot Grigio vs an Italian Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige.

2012 Mellisoni Pinot Grigio v. 2012 Castelfeder 15 Pinot Grigio

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

California Barbera v. Piedmont

This past week we had two, that's right TWO, top level Stage Races happening at the same time on two different continents.  The Giro d' Italia continued with its second week of racing and the Tour of California countered with 8 high powered races from San Diego to Santa Rosa.

I called in my expert from the South (California, that is) to deliver a Battle Royale featuring California Barbera tangling with Barbera from the Homeland - Italy.  So, here it is.  Without further ado, the Main Event.  Brought to you by Foxall...


I’m really excited to be guesting on Lucha Vino’s blog again.  When I dropped him a line to point out that this might be a first—two stage races in great wine country at the same time—he immediately took me up on the idea of a Tour of California v. Giro matchup.  Sure, lots of cycling races travel through great wine country—France, Spain, Europe, Australia all have major stage races—but two at one time!  
Then I learned that Lucha had already stolen California’s thunder by pitting our grape—our grape, I tell you!—Zinfandel against its Italian counterpart Primitivo.  I could have been crushed.
But there’s not just one Italian grape in California.  The first major Californian wine makers were people like Robert Mondavi and the Gallos.  Just recently, the last of their generation, Frank Indelicato of Delicato Family Wines, left us. 

Those aren’t French or Spanish names, my friends, and Italian varieties were planted all over the place back in the day, at least when you could tell what was growing where.  Not all of them did well, and you’d be hard pressed to find any old-vine Nebbiolo or Dolcetto.  There’s a smattering of Sangiovese (an ex-girlfriend of mine once noted that Mount Diablo, where Stage 7 of the California tour ended today, looks amazingly like Chianti), but not much of it is good. (One huge exception:  Two Mile Polesky-Lentz Sangiovese.)
But those old Italian farmers drank Barbera, and eventually a lot of it wound up in the Central Valley.  Grown for volume, most of it wasn’t very good.  But up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, they grow some excellent examples.  So, tonight’s match—think of it as the undercard to the Zin v. Primitivo with a couple middleweights-- pits a Barbera from Amador County, California, against an established grappler from Piedmont, in the foothills of the Alps.
2010 Montevina Winery Amador County Barbera v. 2009 Marchesidi Barolo Ruvei Barebera d’Alba

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Washington Zinfandel v. Puglia

The Giro d'Italia got underway in Sicily winding its way South and then East toward Puglia and the heel of the boot.  The first week of racing saw the race favorites attacking and battling much more than is usual for the first week of a Grand Tour.

At the first rest day Vincenzo Nibali is wearing the leader's jersey, also known as the Maglia Rosa.

The racers didn't spend much time in Puglia, but the route did pass through this South Eastern Italian wine region.  This week's match up features a Washington Zinfandel taking on a Primitivo from Puglia.  These grapes are considered to be the same, but with different names.

2009 II Vintners Zinfandel v. 2010 Feudi Di San Marzano Primitivo Puglia

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Washington Malbec v. Argentina

The Giro d’ Italia starts this weekend.  It is a race with great national pride and Italian’s are always motivated to win their country’s championship.

Just like the Giro, the Malbec grape is the source of great national pride.  Not in France where the grape originated.  No, the nation that prides itself on Malbec is Argentina.  Argentina has adopted the Malbec grape and made it the king variety of their country.

To honor the pride of Argentina (and Malbec Day) this week’s challenge features Malbec Madness.  In a match that sees the opponents going to extremes similar to Mad Magazine’s Spy vs. Spy we have Washington vs. Argentina.


2009 Laurelhurst Cellars Malbec v. 2010 Hand of God Old Vine Malbec

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Toro, Toro, Toro! Tinta de Toro v. Washington

The stage races in Northern Spain are wrapping up with the Vuelta Castilla y Leon.  This race used to be longer, but has been reduced to three stages due to lack of sponsor funding.  The race route travels North from Madrid and passes reasonably close to the Toro D.O.

This week's challenge features a Spanish Tempranillo from the Toro D.O. battling with a Washington state Tempranillo.

2010 Vina Salida Tempranillo v. 2008 Bodega Teso la Monja Almirez Tinta de Toro

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Washington Graciano v. Navarra

This challenge began when I met Javier Alfonso at Taste WA.  He is the wine maker (and Janitor) at Pomum Cellars.  Idilico is his second label. Don't let that lead you to believe the Idilico wines are second rate.  Far from it. These wines are well put together and uniquely focused on Spanish varietals grown and raised in Washington.

Javier was pouring the Idilico Graciano from under the table at Taste WA.  He challenged me to find a 100% single varietal Spanish Graciano.  I took him up on the challenge and found the Zorzal conveniently resting in my cellar.  Game on!

The timing was perfect with the Vuelta Cicliste al Pais Vasco happening this past week in Northern Spain.  This is a unique race through the Basque country in Spain.  One of the unique features is the  stylish hat awarded to the stage winners as a prize.

Navarra v Washington in a battle of Grande Graciano Grapplers.

2007 Zorzal Graciano v. 2010 Idilico Graciano


Friday, April 5, 2013

Washington Tempranillo vs. Rioja

This past week featured a race that is sure to bring delight to a wine lover.  The Vuelta Ciclista a La Rioja - the Tour of Rioja.  Who wouldn't love riding their bike around the Rioja DOC?  I know that I would!

This pro tour event used to be an actual "tour" with multiple stages.  But, with the hard financial times and less than altruistic bike racing ethos, sponsorship has fallen off and the event is now a one day race.  This year the winner was Francesco Lasca, an Italian that rides for the Spanish team Caja Rural.  The best placed Spanish rider was Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle from Euskaltel-Euskadi - the Spanish team that used to be comprised of all Basque Country riders until recently when pressure for race results outweighed regional pride when selecting their team.

This week's matchup honors the Rioja region and the King grape of Spain.

2009 Castillo de Feliciana Tempranillo v. 2006 Beronia Rioja Reserva

Sunday, March 31, 2013

WA Cabernet Sauvignon Sibling Rivalry

This past weekend featured the TASTE WA Grand Tasting, capping off Washington wine month. The Lucha Vino challenge stays with the Washington theme this week featuring a intra-family battle.   This sibling rivalry could get ugly.

Tildio Cabernet Sauvignon slam fest 2007 v 2008 v 2009 with family bragging rights on the line.

Friday, March 22, 2013

WA Barbera v. Piemonte

The spring classics are underway and the longest one day race of them all happened this past weekend.  Milan-San Remo, also known as la Classica di Primavera, begins in Milan and travels West to finish in San Remo.  The riders typically start in blustery, cold, conditions and finish on the warmer shores of the Mediteranean Sea.  This year there was snow on the first mountain pass that stood in the racer's path.  So much snow that the race had to be stopped and re-started on the other side of the pass.  The Italian's like a spectacle, but even this was too much for their sensibilities.

This year's edition of la Classica was shortened to a mere 246 km from the original 298 km.  Even at that length, the race still covered more than 130 miles to finish in a sprint featuring six riders that got away from the remnants of the peloton on the descent of the Poggio (usually you see a break away happen on the way UP a climb, not on the way DOWN - a good indication of the foul weather).

This week's Lucha Vino challenge honors Italian flare and the primary red grape of Northern Italy with a Barbera Brawl.

2009 Hard Row to Hoe Barbera v. 2010 Podere Ruggeri Corsini Armujan Barbera d'Alba

Thursday, March 21, 2013

A Luchador's guide to Taste Washington

Know your opponent

There will be more than 200 wineries and over 60 restaurants at Taste Washington this weekend.  That is an extreme number of opponents.  Study up on the wineries and restaurants.  You can download the Taste Washington Event Guide here.


 Train, Train, Train

You need skills, strength and stamina to subdue your opponent.

Read solid advice from past participants and Washington Wine Gurus:


Have a game plan

Strategy is key to success for Lucha Libre or visiting Taste Washington. 
  • Do you want to focus on a single varietal?  
  • Maybe there are some specific wine makers you would like to meet.  
  • Or regions you would like to focus on.  

Make a set of priorities.  Who are your must see wineries?  Make a list and a map.  Things get crazy when you step into the ring.

Stay Focused

Keep your wits about you.  Keep your focus.  You can't follow your game plan if you are distracted.  Spit, hydrate and fuel.  Visit the restaurants that are taking part, drink water and limit the amount of alcohol that actually goes down the hatch.








Have an exit plan

All good wrestlers know when it is time to beat a hasty retreat from the ring.  In this case, have a ride, take public transit or walk.  Don't drive if you over indulge!  Be responsible.  Even Luchadors look out for their, and the public's, safety.




Celebrate

Finish strong and enjoy the day.  Washington state offers some of the most awesome wine on the planet.  Celebrate this opportunity to experience so much awesome all in one place!  Walk out of the ring with your hands in the air.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Taste of WA Brand Impact Study


Are you a winery that is a first time participant in Taste Washington?  Are you interested in taking part in my unscientific study on the impact of Taste Washington on your brand?

I am looking for three to four wineries to participate in a short interview regarding your expectations for attending Taste Washington and the impact it will have on your brand.  The interview will be featured on the NW Wine Anthem website in April.  


There would also be a follow up interview in 6 and/or 12 months to see how your results matched up with your projections.  The results of the follow up will be published on the NW Wine Anthem as a lead up to the 2014 Taste Washington event.

If you are interested in participating you can comment below or send me an email luchavino at gmail dot com.


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Southern WA v. Chateauneuf du Pape

This week I am featuring a guest post from my friend Richard Foxall.  We are celebrating Paris-Nice, the Race to the Sun, and the anointing of a new Pope with a battle that features a Chateauneuf du Pape challenging a GSM from the South of Washington.

Nothing better than being invited by my good friend Lucha Vino to guest blog, especially when the bicycle race is the Paris-Nice, just wrapped up by Richie Porte, Team Sky member and Australian.  Of course, when I signed up to be Lucha’s equipe, I didn’t know that would be the outcome, or we might have done a tag-team match. 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

WA Super Tuscan Style v. The Maestro

The Italians know how to live life with a certain flair.  This weekend's Strade Bianche was a prime example.  This 190 km one day race sends the pro bike racers across 57 km of unique white gravel roads in Tuscany, hence the name Strade Bianche.

In terms of the One Day Classic Races, the Strade Bianche is an infant.  This is just the seventh edition of the race and, surprisingly, no Italian had won the race.  Until this past Saturday when Moreno Moser took the race by storm attacking the main peleton on the final gravel road section.  He bridged to the remainders of the day's break away in the race's final 10 kilometers and then bided his time, finally attacking on the final climb leading into the Piazza del Campo.  Ultimately, soloing to victory and driving the Italian Tofosi into a frenzy.

This week's challenge honors Italian style and the strade bianchi with a Super Tuscan matchup.

2007 Brian Carter Tuttorosso v. 2009 Antonio Sanguineti Nessun Dorma Maestro Super Tuscan

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Oregon Grenache v. Rhone Vacqueyras

Open that bottle night was this past weekend.  I was inspired by the Classic sud Ardeche in the Rhone to open a bottle of 2004 Chateau des Tours that had been resting in my cellar.  A number of races were cancelled last week due to a freak snowstorm in Europe.  The show went on in the Rhone Valley and the top 5 was dominated by French racers.

Will the Chateau de Tours be able to uphold the French racer's winning ways?

2004 Chateau des Tours Vacqueyras v. 2011 Edwin Dyer Grenache

Friday, February 22, 2013

Washington Merlot a Trois

This past weekend featured a number of races and Team Sky is already dominating the early season.  They had victories in the Tour of Oman and the Volta Ao Algarve last week.

In the Seattle Urban Wineries feature for the month of February, Ward Johnson Winery one ups Team Sky with three medal winners grappling for an opportunity to represent Washington state in a future match with the Old World.

Keeping it in the family.  Ward Johnson Winery Merlot 2006 v. 2007 v. 2008 in a stupendous sibling rivalry.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Battle Royale: Washington vs France

The first stage race of the season in France took place last week through Provence.  The Tour de Med is a 6 stage race that tours through South East France.

This week's matchup features a Southern France inspired wine from Robert Ramsay taking on "the King" of Bandol, a Mourvedre dominant mauler.

2010 Robert Ramsay Par la Mer v. 2010 Domaine Tempier Bandol


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Washington Cab v. Alexander Valley

The most hyped (and possibly) biggest American sports event took place last weekend.  That's right, Superbowl XLVII (47 for those of us that are Roman Numeral challenged).  The biggest, baddest brawl featuring men clad in tight fitting clothes, body armor and helmets.

This year's superbowl featured East vs. West with the Baltimore Ravens taking on the San Francisco 49ers.  When the Ravens ran the second half kickoff back for a touchdown this looked like it was going to be another boring blowout.  Instead, San Francisco stepped up and threw down a bad ass comeback and nearly stole the game.

This week's matchup stays close to home and features some West Coast style with a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon taking on a challenger from the Alexander Valley.

2006 Cadence Camerata v.  2006 Close du Bois Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon


Friday, February 1, 2013

Washington Malbec v. Argentina

The pro racers stayed South of the equator visiting Argentina for the Tour de San Luis  These early season races are an opportunity for the established racers to work on their form and for the youngsters to show people what they've got.  It is also a time when some of the lower level teams get their one chance during the season to match up with the big dogs.

This year the overall race winner was Daniel Diaz, a local pro from Argentina.

This week's challenge visits Argentina and celebrates the local's victory with a bit of Malbec mayhem.

Flying Trout Malbec v. 2007 Lamadrid Gran Reserva Malbec

Friday, January 25, 2013

Seattle v. Chelan in a BDX Style Brawl

Last year I started featuring Washington v. Washington wine brawls once a month.  I chose Cabernet Sauvignon as my focus for 2012.

In 2013 I am going to feature Seattle Urban Wineries taking on Lake Chelan AVA rivals.  There are some absolutely fabulous wines being made in both locales.  My hope is to crank up the volume and shine the spotlight on some awesome Washington wines each month.

First up is a match featuring Bordeaux Style blends dominated by Cabernet Franc.

2008 Fall Line Boushey Vineyard Red Blend v. 2009 Kamari Reserve Red from the Blending Room

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon v. Australia

The early season racing continued in Australia with their National Championships last week.  Luke Durbridge pulled off a first ever double with victories in the Time Trial and Road Race.  Keep your eyes and ears open for some high quality results in 2013 from this young Aussie that races for the Orica-Green Edge team.

The racing took place in Victoria last week.  That location lead to a Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon doing battle with a Washington Cabernet from Sheridan vineyards.

2009 Jim Barry The Cover Drive v. 2009 Sheridan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Friday, January 11, 2013

Walla Walla Syrah v. Aussie Shiraz

The Pro road race schedule is getting underway down under.  This past weekend featured the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.  This is a great opportunity for some up and coming Australian riders to show what they have leading into the Australian National Championships.  Then the following week features the World Tour calendar kick off with the Tour Down Under.

To celebrate all things Australia, this week's Lucha Vino challenge features an Australilan Shiraz taking on a Washington State Syrah.

2007 Otis Kenyon Syrah v. 2005 Mt. Langi Billi Billi Shiraz

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Battle in Seattle III - Washington v. Bordeaux

This is the final installment in my End of the World series.  It took a bit longer than I expected to finish off these battles.  Without any further distractions here is the third matchup in the Battle in Seattle.

When you talk about young wines the French trot out something akin to my Grandfather.  So many Bordeaux wines won't even enter the Lucha Vino ring until they have spent a serious decade hiding in the cellar.  These Frenchies want to sleep so long that an entire set of world changing events could pass them by.  The world could actually... uh, end...

The grandaddy from France pays a visit to the new kid on the block from Washington.  

2006 Chateau Landat Hout-Medoc v. 2009 Cloudlift Halcyon