The Wine Knows

Wine Press Northwest is tasting 133 Northwest Pinot Noirs today and Saturday. In the magazine's 10-year history, this is our third "big Pinot tasting" - and some of these Pinots are big.

Said one judge after the second flight: "Some of these folks sure aren't shy with the alcohols."

Indeed.

I was a bit shocked at some of the alcohol levels while I was entering the wines into the database. A lot at 13.9% alcohol, then there were plenty in the 14% to 15% range. We even had one hit 16%. 16% alcohol! For Pinot Noir!

In the first two flights, the judges awarded two "Outstanding" medals (our top award). Interestingly, both wines were topped with alternative closures.

Out of the first 40 wines, nine wines used alternative closures, including screwcaps, glass Vino-Loks, Nomacorks and one bag-in-a-box. Of the remaining 31 wines, two were corked. That's 7% corked wines.

Thus, don't let anyone tell you that the cork industry has come close to fixing its problems.