Bill from Cheese Louise

September has been a busy month in the Walla Walla Valley and we have really felt it here at the W5. The 2nd Annual Twitter Cabernet Day was a success as well as our cheese and wine pairing with Bill Krieger of Cheese Louise. For those of you who missed out on the cheese and wine pairing, Bill will be back November 16 and this time our friends at Forgeron Cellars will be pouring their wines to pair with the tasty cheese.

So what is a Twitter Cabernet Day, you ask?  Wine lovers from all around the world gather on one day and taste cabernets (including cab francs and cab based blends)at their favorite wineries, wine shops and bars and even private parties while Twittering online their tasting results from their smart phones and laptops. This year the wineries of L'Ecole No. 41, Otis Kenyon, Seven Hills and Woodward Canyon poured their cabernets at the W5. See for yourself.

2011 CabernetDay @Walla2WineWoman

My favorite time of the year is almost here. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving, so I've been researching fun "spooky" wine and beer labels for Halloween. Trust me - - if the wine doesn't taste any good, I don't buy it. So far, I have sent away quite a few Vampire wines. However, a line-up of wines from Oregon has caught my attention. Corvidae/Owen Roe's Winery's Sinister Hand, Technicolor Bat, Lenore and The Keeper are definite wines that are worthy all year-round.   

Besides having the largest selection of Walla Walla

I also recently discovered a beer from England and the brewery is centuries old. Wychwood Brewery produces Hobgoblin, a rich dark ruby beer brewed from chocolate, crystal malts and hops. In 1996, Hobgoblin was the first beer in England to have a pictorial front label, instead of the usual text. Besides their standard Hobgoblin, Wychwood also brews seasonal beers, as well.    

Our cheese and gourmet food selection is growing! We have brought in a selection of imported cheese, as well as some local cheeses such as Washington State University Cougar Gold and even a favorite from California, Point Reyes Blue. We now also carry charcuterie. I searched high and low to find just the right salami and I finally found one

Olympic Provisions America Charcuterie from Portland is home to Oregon's first USDA-approved salumeria, established in 2009. Each salami is individually wrapped and produced in approx. 4.5 oz size and cured and spiced in traditional French, Italian, Spanish and Greek styles. Perfect size for a grab 'n go picnic.  

Lots more exciting news going on at the W5! Thomas, the W5 Assistant Manager and his new bride, Lindsey were married this last weekend. Congratulations! Also, the W5 will now be open seven days a week (see hours below). Dawn and Michelle will be joining our team. Dawn has always wanted to work in a wine shop and maybe even own one some day (we'll see after a few weeks if she changes her mind - heh). Michelle has been involved in wine sales and marketing in California for several years and now in Walla Walla. Drop by and give them a welcome.    

Have you been to one of our wine tasting events? If not, you are not only missing out on some great tastes, but some wine education, as well. Can't think of a better way to learn than with a wine glass in your hand. 

Miss Chloe-Bird