It’s been beverage nirvana this last week.

 

First Rick McMaster opened Vino at the Landing in Renton. Yes, the former location for Cirque de Sol, just south of the Boeing Renton plant. What a transformation – retail, restaurants, apartments and PARKING! Vino is a smart wine shop with a wine bar (half glass and full glass pours) and a small bites menu.

 

Then there was the bevy of beverages served at Olivar on Capitol Hill for their new brunch (my favorite meal) service. Perfectly roasted coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice…all to underscore the lovely (and affordable) brunch menu in the lovely room at the Loveless Building.

 

Next it was to “mother ship” Starbucks to be introduced to the new “instant” coffee the beverage behemoth has launched. Not “really” an instant coffee but rather a “form factor” (a.k.a. stick) of soluble (in both hot and cold water) ground coffee crystals with just enough micro ground coffee to leave some specks in the bottom of your cup. Perfect for camping, yes…but think of all those functions when you spy the 20-cup burping pot and figure that water is just fine.

 

Quite a presentation it was of Grand Rêve Vintners and Vineyard introducing their Collaboration Series. The Series is a collaboration of some of Washington State’s best and brightest winemakers – Ben Smith, Ross Andrew Mickel, Mark Ryan McNeilly, Carolyn Lakewold and Chris Gorman – each crafting from Red Mountain plots to produce a rare inventory that will be selectively distributed. Wholesale runs $31.50 to $38.50.

 

Finally….the Washington Wine Commission threw an afternoon get-together to make sure that next month’s Taste Washington (April 3, 4 & 5) is on everyone’s calendar. With the State’s wine stake growing to 602 wineries and 10 AVAs there is a depth of knowledge here certainly to present some fantastic educational events and fun activities…not to mention the Grand Tasting of wine, paired with bites from the region’s top restaurants.