Coopers (and Fidelitas!) in the News

Just when I was needing a reminder of what summer felt like, our Wine Club event in Seattle from last August made it into this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine (an insert of the Sunday Times/PI). Braiden Rex-Johnson, a local author who also wrote Pacific Northwest Wining and Dining, wrote a great article about the coopers from Seguin-Moreau who came to our wine club event and did barrel toasting demonstrations for all of the members who attended: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2008627873_pacificptaste18.html
The article gives insight into everything that goes into barrel making and why good barrels are so key to great wine. There are also some great quotes from Charlie, who has made some promises of creating a wine club only wine to be aged in the barrels toasted that evening...

At home in Seattle

As I believe most of you know already, I am based in the Seattle area and work remotely. For me, it really is the best of both worlds. I grew up in Seattle and truly enjoy living here. However, I love Eastern Washington as well, and have a lot of family in the Tri-Cities area. That means that I am able to be with my friends and family here in grey-skied Seattle, but get to travel frequently to blue-skied Red Mountain.

This is great for so many of our Wine Club members in Washington State. Obviously, those who live near the winery get to swing by and pick up their favorite wines much more frequently than those who live in Western Washington. But now, people in the Seattle area have a Fidelitas contact as well. I do get to keep some great wines over here, and am always able to arrange a way to get those to you. I'm also available as a resource for restaurant recommendations (especially those that have Fidelitas on the list!) and places to see and stay. For those of you in and around Seattle, let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

For our out of state members, don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you. Charlie has been out touring the different markets with Fidelitas, and often hosts tastings while he's on the road. If he is coming your way, I'll be sure to let you know!

A view of the Space Needle, through the fog and a little sunshine.

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I have a feeling that 95% of our wine club has some version of a story that involves way, way too much snow during their holidays. Mine includes two flats tires on a new (to me) car...
With all of that behind us now, I am really looking forward to 2009. We've been busy planning for the year, and have many things already in the works. I'm looking forward to a St. Fidelis party on Red Mountain in April, and big bash in Seattle in August, and some great wine club shipments in between. In the meantime, I'm focusing on the best part of Fidelitas - the wine.
For those of you who have already gotten into your December club shipment and loved the eight Syrah, remember that this is our final vintage of Syrah so you may want to stash a few away in your cellar for a later date. We're completely sold out of the eight red wine, which shows that it pays to act fast.
Did anyone have an outstanding food and wine pairing during the holidays? I brought a bottle of the 06 Malbec to one dinner that featured both pepper-crusted salmon and flank steak, along with a multitude of veggie side dishes. A menu this varied can always be a bit scary for wine pairing, especially with a red wine, but the Malbec did great! Being fruit forward with balanced acids meant that it could go with those sides without overpowering, was strong enough for the steak, and soft enough for the salmon. I was very impressed!
I wish everyone a wonderful 2009 full of good friends and family, and of course, great wine!