A Comprehensive Review of the Seattle Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting

The 2016 Seattle Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting was an exquisite celebration of the Pacific Northwest’s finest food and beverage offerings. It showcased established industry leaders and highlighted exciting new brands making waves in the culinary world. From award-winning wines to innovative culinary creations, the event was a feast for the senses.

After enjoying the lively Pop! Bubbles & Seafood event and a restful night at the Maxwell Hotel, fueled by a delicious breakfast at Toulouse Petit, I was ready to dive into the main attraction: the Seattle Wine & Food Experience Grand Tasting. This event promised an unforgettable experience, and it certainly delivered.

The Grand Tasting: A Pacific Northwest Showcase

The Seattle Wine & Food Experience is more than just a tasting event; it’s a comprehensive showcase of the Pacific Northwest’s best wine, spirits, cider, beer, food, and lifestyle brands. It provides a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of high-quality products under one roof, all within a fun and engaging atmosphere. The Grand Tasting is a highlight, bringing together the region’s most talented culinary experts and beverage artisans.

The event featured an array of delectable bites crafted by some of Seattle’s most celebrated restaurants, bakeries, cooking schools, and caterers. Each booth was a visual masterpiece, meticulously designed to capture the essence of the brand and entice attendees. The artistic presentations were as impressive as the flavors, creating a truly immersive experience that delighted both the eyes and the palate. The sheer variety and quality of the offerings made it impossible not to capture numerous photos of these edible works of art.

So, without further delay, let’s explore some of the most memorable moments from the 2016 Seattle Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting, which took place on February 21, 2016, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. This event proved to be an extraordinary journey through the diverse and rich culinary landscape of the Pacific Northwest.

Washington Wines: A Taste of the Evergreen State

Washington State has emerged as a prominent player in the wine industry, known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. The Seattle Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting provided an excellent opportunity to sample some of the best Washington wines on offer.

Featured wineries included Martedi Winery, showcasing their exceptional Barbera; Rainier Wine, the creators of the popular Portlandia wine; Anew wines, known for their elegant rosé; and The Pundit by Chateau Ste Michelle, offering a rich and complex red blend. Each winery brought a unique perspective to the tasting, highlighting the diversity of Washington wines.

Oregon Wines: Exploring the Willamette Valley and Beyond

Oregon is renowned for its Pinot Noir, but the state also produces a wide range of other varietals, including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Syrah. The Seattle Wine and Food Experience dedicated a separate section to Oregon wines, allowing attendees to explore the unique flavors of the state.

The Oregon wine selection featured Serra Vineyards with their robust Syrah, Scott Paul Wines showcasing their signature Pinot Noir, Dobbes Family Estate with their popular “Wine by Joe” Pinot Noir, and Le Cadeau, known for their meticulously crafted Pinot Noir. These wineries represent the diverse terroir and winemaking styles found in Oregon.

California Wines: A Touch of Sunshine

While the focus was primarily on Pacific Northwest wines, the Seattle Wine and Food Experience also included a selection of California wines, showcasing the diversity and quality of the Golden State’s offerings.

Klinker Brick Winery was one of the featured California wineries, offering their delightful rosé. The presence of California wines added another layer of complexity to the tasting, providing attendees with a broader perspective on the world of wine.

International Wines: A Global Perspective

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience also featured a selection of international wines, showcasing wines from around the world. This section provided attendees with the opportunity to explore wines from different regions and discover new and exciting flavors.

Jeff Peda, the Northwest Regional Manager of Blends, Inc., was on hand to share his expertise on wines from various countries, including Argentina and Uruguay. Blends, Inc. represents a family of wine estates, showcasing the diversity of winemaking traditions from around the globe. The Cleaver red blend, a California offering from Blends, Inc., was a particular highlight.

Spirits and Ciders: Beyond Wine

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience extended beyond wine, featuring a variety of craft spirits and ciders. This section provided attendees with the opportunity to sample innovative and flavorful beverages from local distilleries and cider houses.

Bend Distillery & Crater Lake Spirits showcased their impressive range of flavored vodkas, including the Hazelnut Espresso vodka. This unique flavor combination was a standout, offering a rich and complex taste that would be perfect in cocktails.

Hendrick’s Gin presented an elaborate and eye-catching display, complete with a steampunk-esque self-mixing cocktail contraption. Their presence added a touch of whimsy and sophistication to the event.

The Culinary Delights: Food as Art

The food offerings at the Seattle Wine and Food Experience were nothing short of extraordinary. Each dish was a work of art, meticulously crafted to showcase the creativity and skill of the region’s top chefs. The event was a true celebration of culinary innovation.

Celebrity Cruises presented a stunning Coho salmon dish featuring farro risotto, sorrel, and king crab mousse. This dish was a standout, combining fresh, high-quality ingredients with innovative culinary techniques.

Carousel French Cuisine served a memorable filet mignon au Porto, featuring Angus beef filet stuffed with buttermilk blue affinée, accompanied by a veal demi and port reduction. This dish was a favorite, showcasing the rich flavors of French cuisine.

Trellis Restaurant presented an innovative lamb pastrami on a pretzel crisp with sauerkraut mustard. This unique combination of flavors and textures made for a memorable bite.

Chinoise Cafe offered a “Beat Bobby Flay” Bibimbap, featuring spicy ahi tuna poke with shredded lettuce, cucumber, radish kimchi, radish sprouts, and gochujang sauce. This dish was a fusion of flavors, combining Korean and Hawaiian culinary traditions.

Novelty Hill-Januik showcased Nicky Farms goat Mortadella, a creative and flavorful appetizer that was a hit among attendees. The presentation, creativity, and taste made this dish a standout.

The Dahlia Lounge served roasted mushrooms on Dahlia Bakery pecan-flax bread with pickled shallots. This dish highlighted the flavors of local, seasonal ingredients.

Frolick! offered soy & ginger braised lamb with sesame sticky rice cake and lemongrass curry aioli. The dish was an explosion of Asian-inspired flavors.

South Seattle College Culinary and Pastry & Baking Arts presented a roasted white chocolate panna cotta with strawberry rosé gelee. This dessert was a perfect ending to the culinary journey, showcasing the talent of aspiring chefs.

The Seattle Canning Company was on hand with their various products and impeccable branding. They offered attendees a taste of their canned goods, highlighting the versatility and convenience of their products.

Blue Sardina offered an Insalata Di Mare, a refreshing seafood salad that was a welcome addition to the tasting.

Mama Stortini’s served a classic mozzarella and tomato bruschetta, a simple yet flavorful appetizer that was a crowd-pleaser.

Lark presented a seared rare venison sirloin with red wine braised salsify and grains of paradise. The dish was a showcase of unique and exotic flavors.

Finally, a selection of sweet treats from Gelatiamo and Top Pot Doughnuts provided a perfect ending to the tasting, satisfying every sweet tooth.

Beyond the Food and Wine

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience offered more than just food and wine; it was an opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn about their stories. Meeting the founder of Tim’s Chips, a local snack company, was a highlight, and getting a signed bag of chips for my kids was a special treat.

Yakima Valley was the featured wine region, and in addition to the wineries and restaurants featured in the photos, there were also some incredible beer and cider companies represented. Flatbed Cider, a newcomer to the cider scene, was a standout, and I hope to write more about their cider in a future post.

Why Attend the Seattle Wine and Food Experience?

If you are a food or wine enthusiast in the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Wine and Food Experience is an event you don’t want to miss. It’s a fantastic opportunity to sample a wide variety of high-quality products, meet the people behind the brands, and discover new culinary and beverage trends. The atmosphere is welcoming and inviting, making it easy to connect with other attendees and industry professionals.

The event is like speed dating between consumers and food & beverage companies, providing a valuable opportunity to learn about different brands and their products. I left with a wealth of information, a stack of business cards, and many great memories.

Be sure to click on the links for the above-mentioned businesses to learn more about their food and beverage companies. To learn more about the Seattle Wine & Food Experience, please visit their website.

Which wine or dish featured above would you be most interested in trying?

I attended the Seattle Wine and Food Experience Grand Tasting and the Pop! Bubbles & Seafood event as a media guest. As always, all opinions and photos are my own. I only write about products, places, experiences, events that I personally enjoy and believe you will, too!