Of course it is. Are we the best at wine, though? Let’s find out.
Beginning in February, famed Metropolitan Grill sommelier Thomas Price will be our mediator as Washington wine goes head-to-head with the world. The a series of three comparative tastings will take us from the riverbanks of France, to rugged Australia, to the lush valleys of California, and back to our great state, all from the comfort of the Met’s luxuriously appointed Board Room. The blind tastings will showcase the regional character of twelve exceptional wines over the course of three evening events, as Washington syrah, merlot, and cabernet sauvignon meet their counterparts from out of town.
The series, titled Washington vs. The World, will kick off on the 9th with syrahs (and shiraz) representing Cornas, the Barossa Valley, the Russian River Valley, and of course Washington. Merlots will be assessed in March, while cabernets get their turn in April. Exact vintages have yet to be announced, but with the Met named 2012’s Wine Restaurant of the Year and Price chosen last week as 2013’s Sommelier of the Year (Washington Wine Commission), attendees are in the best possible hands.
For true aficionados of any or all of the featured varietals, the events are a chance to unearth the distinct regional character imparted by wildly different intercontinental conditions in a comfortably controlled tasting environment. Each region is well respected for good, and different, reasons – Price hopes to help attendees determine what stands in each bottle on a personal basis. “We’ve got some fantastic wines lined up…this is going to be a fun event, with no geekiness or pretention,” said Price of the series. Met Executive Chef Eric Hellner will be close at hand, crafting regional appetizers to complement. Meanwhile, it’s a chance to compare tasting notes and experiences with an intimate group of tasting companions – and to make the call on where Washington really stands in the wine world.
February 9, March 9 or April 13, 5:00pm at the Metropolitan Grill (820 2nd Ave., Seattle). $75 per event, early reservation recommended. For tickets call (206) 957-3216, or e-mail Allison Carter (acarter@conrests.com).
