Lemberger: Washington’s “Heritage Grape”
The Lemberger grape is rooted in Washington wine industry history. For more than a quarter century this vigorous grape, which begets a fruit-forward, ruby red wine, has thrived in vineyards east of the Cascade Mountain range. But a wine that sounds like a stinky cheese naturally has its share of skeptics – most of which are quick to pass Lemberger by when perusing store shelves for wine. Fortunately, the grape still has a number of champions in the industry today, and they are working hard to change its image.
Medium-bodied with lots of bright fruit and soft tannins, Lemberger is an approachable wine that is sure to appeal to Pinot drinkers, and those who prefer something lighter than a big, bold Bordeaux-style red. The name may stink, but it’s really about what’s in the bottle!
Three Olympic Peninsula Wineries offer handcrafted Lemberger wines, and all are award-winners!
FairWinds Winery’s 2004 Lemberger is oaked and unfiltered; Olympic Cellars’ 2006 Dungeness Red Lemberger wine is made in the Beaujolais-style; and Harbinger Winery’s Rose de Lemberger is a blend of barrel fermented Lemberger grapes.
Visit the Olympic Peninsula Wineries and give Lemberger a try!
August 9th, 2011 at 8:37 am
I will be harvesting my first crop of Lemberger this year. Not havig worked with these grapes before, do you any hints on what to look for when the grape is ready. I live in central Missori and have 25 three year old plants.