Let's hear it for WA wines!

[Bucko]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WA Wine Commission
Stacie Jacob (206) 667-9463 ext. 217
Washington State wines win taste-off in California

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 12, 2001 - A group of San Francisco wine experts recently ranked Washington State wines first in a blind taste-off during the Taste Washington industry event at the Presidio's Golden Gate Club. Industry and media participants ranked eight Cabernet or Cabernet based wines from the 1996, 1997, and 1998 vintages of Bordeaux, California, and Washington State respectively.

"To level the playing field we chose superior vintages from each appellation," said Steve Burns, Washington Wine Commission, executive director. "The blind taste-off is another indicator of the quality wines being produced in Washington State."

Topping the charts in terms of taste and value was Washington State's Gordon Brothers 1998 Tradition, Columbia Valley. This wine is made of 56 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 44 percent Merlot and aged in one-to three-year-old French oak barrels. The final ranking and retail value for each wine is as follows:

1. Gordon Brothers 1998 Tradition, Columbia Valley - $40.00
2. DeLille Cellars 1998 Chaleur Estate, Yakima Valley - $45.00
3. Col Solare 1998 Red Table Wine, Columbia Valley (Chateau Ste. Michelle/Antinori -- $70.00
4. Opus One 1997 Red Wine, Napa Valley - $140.00
5. Caymus 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $68.00
6. Quilceda Creek 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State - $55.00
7. Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1996, St.-Estephe - $128.00
8. Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1996, Pauillac - $235.00

Focusing on the premium wine segment, the Washington State wine industry is growing at record pace and ranks second nationally in total wine production. Wine grape acreage (approximately 29,000) and the number of wineries (more than 160) have more than doubled in the past ten years. Washington State's unique topography combined with extended summer sunlight (average 17.4 hours per day) and cool nights provides ideal growing conditions for a variety of wine grapes.

Bucko

[Scoop]

Check out Frank Prial's NYT column from today -- another tribute to WA wines!

Cheers,

Scoop