Sip Northwest, Spring 2019

Liquid Assets E D I T O R S C H O I C E 22 S I P N O R T H W E S T C O M BY ERIN JAMES EDITOR IN CHIEF Garden Path Fermentation THE PRIME BARREL AGE Beers at this fledgling North Sound brewery are o en labeled as Skagitonian referencing Washingtons Skagit Valley om which a vast majority of the ingredients hail All batches are fermented with a native yeast cultured largely om valley flowers So not only does the honey added for the natural carbonation occurring in bottle conditioning speak to that fl oral component but the yeast itself brings in unique character The Prime is about as tart and funky as the beers om this microbrewery get with the tang dancing in rhythm with the white fl owers honeycomb and apricot notes of this boldly aromatic and subtly fl avorsome sip 17 750ml Anne Amie Vineyards 2016 GAMAY NOIR TWELVE OAKS ESTATE Made traditionally like the Gamays of Beaujolais with carbonic and extended maceration this wine might be infl uenced by the great Burgundian beauties of France but it is distinctly of Oregon soil Heaps of ripe black cherry pomegranate and brambly berries hobnob with scorched earth mineral and lavender Vanilla pulls through om the barrel aging on a medium plus body of lush tangy cherry with acidity that hoists up the fruit until tannins so ly hug the fi nish Like many of its kind this Chehalem Mountains wine benefi ts om a slight chill and pairs exceptionally well with Peking duck and plum sauce 25 750ml Gulch Distillers GUARDIAN RESERVE GIN This Montana made gin pays homage to the Guardian of the Gulch a historic fi re tower in Helena built in 1868 to watch for the devastating fi res that o en struck the Last Chance Gulch area Gulch Distillers is Helenas only distillery producing a range of spirits om apple brandy to this barrel aged gin Like all of the makers spirits the gin is based on Montana grown grain distilled in small batches and with a simple botanical bill then aged in Sauvignon Blanc barrels Citrus forward with strokes of juniper and coriander painting the barrel aged backdrop the gin is spiced and dry accenting the edges with dried stone uit and lime 35 750ml PHOTOS BY CAYLEE BETTS On My Tab North Idaho Cider HOPPY MANGO Located just north of Lake Coeur dAlene and a little west of Lake Hayden with clear views of the Signal and Blossom mountains the natural splendor of North Idaho Cider makes its o ce park taproom in Hayden Idaho look good This cider is a spring release for the growing cidery a small batch seasonal that started with two kegs and took off from there A draftonly blend of the Idaho Pale Cider dry hopped dry cider with uity mango here notes of pineapple grape uit and the expected mango run the fl avor show with citrusy just bitter hops sharing the spotlight on the palate with apple and its acid in the fi nish 5 12oz Place matters in the Northwest From the soil of an estate vineyard that speaks to the uit it cultivates to grains grown down the street om the brewery these four drinks care about where they come om