Spring Valley Vineyards-Frederick Red Wine from Walla Walla Valley in Washington State!

Don asked me what I wanted to do one Wednesday evening in March. The last cold front of the year was coming in, but the weather was gorgeous. The evening called for a patio somewhere. We brainstormed about places to possibly dine and then I remembered it was half-price bottle night at the club. We arrived and they had a table for us right by the windows looking out onto the golf course, which is where people always want to sit this time of the year. Then it dawned on us that we'd rather be outside. Even though we knew a spring storm was coming in late that evening, we felt safe enough to sit outside on the patio under the large orange umbrellas.

The hostess took us outside where we chose a table close to the walls out of the wind. We could hear the ducks quacking in Turtle Creek, which runs through the golf course. Geese were flying over the water and honking to each other and one large grackle was flying in for a landing on the patio waiting for someone to drop something. During the summer by the pool, if you leave your table, your food will be gone by the time you come back. The grackles watch the tables constantly and are known professional thieves!

The evening went off without a hitch, except for two light rain showers. We stayed in place under the umbrella and never got a drop of rain on us!

The wine we chose for the evening meal, which consisted of a fried artichoke appetizer, corn chowder for me and grilled trout for Don, was a red wine from Walla Walla Valley in Washington State.

2007 Frederick Cabernet Sauvignon Blend ($50). This highly structured, fruit-driven wine is a "New World" style blend. In France it would be called "Un Vin Charpente", meaning wine with a strong structure like a roof. A nose of candied plum, blackberry jam, and flowers leads to a soft-palate, with Cabernet Franc adding texture and vibrancy to the Cabernet Sauvignon. It also consists of 20% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot.

Aaron, the club's sommelier, said we chose a perfect wine to try tonight. He usually decides for us, but we chose before he could get out to visit with us on the patio. This wine was delicious and one I would definitely have again.

This is on the bucket list of wine countries to visit!