*Wine tasting notes are directly from their respective websites.
Pinot Grigio
On the lighter and drier side of the white wines, Pinot Grigio traditionally pairs well with foods like chicken, seafood, pasta with cream sauce, and salad. Our takeout of choice is Ivar’s Alaska True Cod fish and chips with sides of coleslaw and clam chowder paired with Hogue Cellars Pinot Grigio. With 3 sit-down restaurants and 18 seafood bars, you’re likely to be able to find an Ivar’s near you.
Hogue Cellars Pinot Grigio tasting notes: Melon, stone fruit, and fresh herbal aromas. It is fresh, with flavors of pear and guava, a rich mid-palate, and a crisp finish.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is medium-bodied white wine that tends to have a buttery or slight oak finish. This grape varietal is also known for pairing well with seafood but more for shellfish like shrimp, mussels, and lobster as well as chicken. For some delicious seafood, we’ve selected the Crab Leg Meat Fettucine from Wally’s Chowder House in Des Moines. Pair this with MERF Chardonnay from Bartell’s. If you feel like ordering dessert for takeout too, try the seasonal fruit crisp.
Aternatively, Chardonnay can also be a great choice for pizza. Try any of the delicious pizzas from Osteria da Primo in Seatac to pair with Waterbrook Chardonnay. You can’t miss out on dessert from Osteria. Order the classic Tiramisu or the Torta di Limoncello for a refreshing lemon dessert.
MERF Chardonnay tasting notes: Flavors of bright apple, pear, tropical fruit with delightful floral, creamy notes and hints of oak.
Waterbrook Chardonnay tasting notes: Aromatics of toasted oak and vanilla lead to flavors of pear, yellow apple and honeydew melon.
Sauvignon Blanc
With higher levels of acidity and lower sugar content, Sauvignon Blanc often has a crisp, dry palate. For this reason, Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with chicken, pork, fresh salads, and moderately spicy foods. Order an appetizer of Fresh Vietnamese Rolls and entrée of Cashew Chicken from Kwan Tip Thai in Federal Way. Pair this with Altered Dimensions Sauvignon Blanc. If you’re looking for dessert, try the Mango & Sweet Sticky Rice!
For another choice, order the Strawberry & Chèvre Crostini and Pulled Pork Sammie from Arthur’s in West Seattle and pair with 14 Hands Sauvignon Blanc.
Altered Dimensions Sauv Blanc tasting notes: Activate your senses with guava, papaya and mango aromas followed by tropical fruit flavors.
14 Hands Sauv Blanc tasting notes: Aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. Bright flavors of gooseberry, grapefruit and guava lead to a crisp, juicy finish.
Rosé
Rosé tends to be a bright, crisp wine that is fruit forward. There are lots of great combinations for food and rose wine, especially dependent on the tasting notes themselves. For our pick, we’re highlighting both the Desi Sandwich and West Indies Chicken Plate from Bongo’s in Phinney Ridge. Chicken, pork, or even seafood with Caribbean flavors pair nicely with the Charles & Charles Rosé.
Charles & Charles Rosé tasting notes: Notes of bright citrus, wild raspberry and cherry, rose petal and lavender with a tangy, bright finish.
Merlot
Generally full-bodied and on the drier side, Merlot can have vastly different flavors compared to each other. Merlot can be a great option for pork, cheese boards, and even hamburgers. That’s why one of our choices is a Blackbird Burger from the Blackbird Café in Shoreline. Pair this delicious burger with Canoe Ridge Merlot and finish the meal with Blackbird’s Chocolate Lava Cake.
Columbia Crest H3 Merlot is another one of our local Washington favorites. Our pick for this bold wine is the Kalua Pork plate from Kauai Family Restaurant in Georgetown.
Canoe Ridge Merlot tasting notes: Gorgeous dark berry aromas mix with flavors of currant, cherry and candied violet hint on the long, silky finish.
Columbia Crest H3 Merlot tasting notes: Aromas of spice, plum and blackberry with the perfect balance of earth, cocoa and ripe black cherry notes on the palate.
Red Blend
A red blend is exactly that – a blend. They can vary widely with their percentages of red varietals, creating a huge range of flavors and tannins. For this reason, red blends can be an excellent option for any number of foods depending on their flavor profile. And we think a classic pasta with red sauce is just one of those great pairings. Opt for the Bucatini Amatriciana or Gnocchi e Zazzicchia from La Rustica in West Seattle paired with a glass of Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Red Blend. If you’re truly looking for a Taste of Washington experience with an appetizer and dessert, we recommend the Antipasto Misto and honestly – any of their desserts.
If you’re willing to try something exotic, go for the Tangine of Lamb M’Rouzia from Marrakesh in Belltown. Already a wonderful tasting experience, their menu items include your main plus traditional lentil soup, salads Marrakesh, b’stilla royale, and baklava. This meal is paired beautifully with the Intrinsic Red Blend.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells tasting notes: A robust palate of boysenberry and biscotti.
Intrinsic Red Blend tasting notes: Refined notes of raspberry, white tea leaves, a hint of fresh mint and lavender. The flavors are layered with milk chocolate fig reduction, dark plum and licorice root, and the texture is angular, yet sophisticated, with chocolate ganache details in the finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon
With strong tannins and full flavor, cabernet sauvignon traditionally pairs well with red meat, lamb, and even mushrooms. For our first selection, we’re pairing the Altered Dimensions Cabernet Sauvignon with the Carne Asada from Cielo in Bellevue. For a full 3 course style meal, order the Guacamole or Champinones a la Diabla (mushrooms) for an appetizer and Tres Leches Cake for dessert.
Pick up a bottle of Browne Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and order the Artisan Cheese Board from North Bend’s Wildflower Bistro as an appetizer and the Prime Rib Dip for your entrée. The Cab Sauv compliments the horseradish from the sandwich nicely.
Altered Dimensions Cab Sauv tasting notes: Aromas of dark and red fruits like marionberry and cherry draw you in and then give way to eucalyptus and herbal notes.
Browne Family Vineyards Cab Sauv tasting notes: Aromas of dark plum mixed with floral notes of violets lead to flavors of Vann cherry, black coffee and anise.
Syrah
Syrah tends to be a full-bodied red wine with hints of dark berries and pepper. Red meat, BBQ, duck, hard cheeses, and grilled vegetables all make a great pairing with Syrahs.
One of our favorite Syrahs in store is the Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah. Grab a bottle from Bartell’s pickup takeout from Briley’s BBQ in Lake Forest Park. We recommend the Baby Back Ribs, Coleslaw, and Mac n’ Cheese, finished off with some amazing Beignets for dessert.
Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah tasting notes: This spicy Syrah has a strong sense of place…Washington State. Explosive aromas. Mouth filling and rich—total satisfaction guaranteed.
Bonus pick:
14 Hands Unicorn Rose Bubbles!
If you haven’t yet tried these bubbles in a can, the rose has flavors of cranberry, cherry, and pomegranate with just a hint of sweetness. Plus the artwork on the can is adorable! Pair this with spicy BBQ or fresh, citrusy salads – or sip on the side of some chocolate dipped strawberries for a special dessert!