Would you be stumped if I asked you what your favorite Idaho wine is?
You’re not alone if you’ve never tried one. Outside of the state, acclaim and recognition are slow-moving fuses; they’re definitely burning and sending off sparks but have yet to catch fire.
Mark my words though. They definitely WILL. Idaho wine is the next big thing!
I recently tasted my way through Idaho’s vineyards thanks to an event called Savor Idaho. This year there were 30 wineries pouring approximately 3 wines each.
With that much wine flowing like the sweet nectar of the gods, I was more than happy to put on my epicurean hat and find a wine for every palate. So, if you don’t know where to begin with Idaho wine, choosing wine from the following list is a great starting point. I’ve selected a handful from each category, and let me tell you, narrowing down the many wonderful wines on display that day was no easy feat!
The following descriptions include the name of the winery, the vintage (NV denotes a non-vintage, meaning the wine may contain vintages from more than one year), the name of the wine, the grape varietal, the American Viticulture Area (AVA) (SRV denotes the Snake River Valley and LCV denotes the Lewis-Clark Valley), and a brief description, along with the alcohol by volume (abv) and price.
Whites and Rosés
Coiled Wines 2015 Dry Riesling – SRV. Cult favorite, vintage after vintage. Great balance of alcohol and acidity. Fruit aromas mixed with herb and clove. 13.0% abv $17.00.
Split Rail Winery 2015 Dry Rosé Tempranillo – SRV. Light aromas and flavors of strawberry and plum. $15.00.
Cinder Wines 2015 Off-Dry Riesling – SRV. Tropical fruit aromas and baking spice flavors; pairs well with spicy foods. 12.0% abv (1.65% residual sugar) $18.00.
Clearwater Canyon 2015 Lochsa White – 84% Chardonnay, 9% Viognier, 7% Riesling – LCV. Aromas of pear and apple, flavors of lemon and butterscotch. 13.6% abv $15.00.
Feathered Winds Wine 2014 Rosé – Syrah – SRV. Semi-sweet, easy drinking, with cherry and raspberry aromas. 11% abv $17.00.
Hat Ranch Winery 2015 Dry Moscato – Muscat Ottonel – SRV Estate grown. Floral notes with high acidity and citrus flavors. 12.8% abv $18.00.
Light Reds
Split Rail Winery 2014 Laser Fox Cinsault – SRV. Aged in a cement tank, redolent of chalk on the sidewalk. 14.3% abv $24.00.
Crossings Winery 2012 Bleu Noir – Blaufränkisch – SRV. Aromas of cherries and berries with medium spicy tannins. 12.5% abv $18.50.
Bitner Vineyards NV Las Tres Mujeres – late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon – SRV. Sweet and fruit forward, jammy and smooth. 12.0% abv $22.00.
Williamson Vineyards 2012 Harvest Moon Red – Mourvèdre, Syrah, Viognier – SRV. A well-balanced blend with aromas of red berries and cherry pie. 14.1% abv $22.00.
Snake River Winery 2010 Sangiovese – SRV. Red cherry aromas with an oaky flavor and hint of vanilla. 13% abv $ 21.00.
Bold Reds
Lindsay Creek Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – Washington, Horse Heaven Hills AVA, made in Idaho. Fruit and earth aromas with big tannins and a bit of bitterness. ≈14% abv $24.00.
Cinder Wines 2014 Syrah – 90% Syrah, 5% Viognier – SRV. Well-rounded tannins with spice and coffee flavors. 14.1% abv $29.00.
Huston Vineyards 2014 Chicken Dinner Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah – SRV. Deep garnet in color, dark fruit on the nose and palate. Robust tannins. ≈14% abv $18.00.
Pend d’Oreille Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – Washington, Columbia Valley AVA, made in Idaho. Aromas reminiscent of baking, earth and oak with chewy tannins. 14.1% abv $21.00.
Telaya Wine Co. 2013 Sruth – 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon – Washington, Yakima Valley AVA, made in Idaho. 22 months in new French oak give complexity rich in currant, cherry and chocolate with smoky aromas. 13.4% abv $27.00.
Did any of these catch your eye? I certainly hope so!
Google is your friend if you live outside of Idaho yet want to purchase Idaho wine. Most wineries have dedicated websites and ship out of state. You may also want to try wine-searcher. If you live locally, try the Boise Co-op or other nearby shops, or go straight to the source.
Cheers!
Psst! If you are wondering about the wine-in-a-can pictured, it’s Split Rail Winery’s Strange Folk Wines.
I have to admit that I haven’t been drinking Idaho wines. I like to support local so I am hoping that you and your mom will go with me to taste at our local wineries this fall. I like fall because Williamson has all of their veggies and possibly, their natural apple cider.