Be in the Know: Taste Washington

Enjoy the perfect pairing of locally made wine with some of the city’s best eats.

More than 200 Washington state wineries will gather this spring to bring new wines to the Emerald City. For two days this year, you can sample local wines paired with delicious food from area restaurants with like-minded wine lovers. Between attending seminars and browsing exhibitors’ wares, the weekend will be full of events to keep you and your taste buds happy.

Founded in 1997, Taste Washington is the largest single-region wine event in the world. In addition to the outstanding wine being served, some of Seattle’s best restaurants will be at the event to prepare tasty bites to accompany the libations. Besides food and drink, exhibitors displaying merchandise such as wine racks and exotic spices will be on hand to enhance the Washington wine experience. Check online for a list of the 2012 featured wineriesrestaurants and exhibitors

Several seminars led by top national wine personalities and sommeliers will be held both days. These cover a range of topics including various aspects of Washington wine, and wine and food pairing demonstrations by well-known local chefs.

When: V.I.P. admission is from 1 to 5 p.m., and general admission is 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1.

Where: CenturyLink Field Event Center in downtown Seattle. (800 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle)

Why: Wine is an ever-evolving entity, and taking advantage of the opportunity to sample new, local flavors not only satisfies your tongue, but also keeps you up-to-date on the latest in wine making.

How much: Tickets start at $75 for general admission and $125 for V.I.P. and can be bought online or from local wine retailers.

Taste Washington at CenturyLink Field Event Center | Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1