04/12/06 Spring Travel

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and today is the day we talk travel with food and wine in mind. I thought we could talk about a unique chance to visit wine country. Spring Tasting! Several times a year the wineries that are in general geographic proximity to one another will collectively hold an open house. This enables consumers to visit wineries that may not always be open to the public, and very often to meet the winemakers. At this time of the year most of the wine regions from British Columbia through California are holding what is referred to as Spring Barrel Tasting. This is when the participating wineries are open and allowing the public a sneak preview of the wines being made from last fall's harvest. It's a good time to taste finish wines as well, since they are usually pouring their whole line of products. As a bonus, many of the wineries will give a discount if you purchase wine during your visit. It is sometimes crowded, so be patient. And don't forget your wine tasting etiquette; if it is crowded, once your taste has been poured step back out of the way so that others may also have a taste. In Washington state, the Yakima Valley Winery Association's Spring Barrel Tasting is April 28  30. The first weekend in May the 6 & 7 is Spring Release Weekend in Walla Walla, followed at the end of the month with the Columbia Cascades Wineries Spring Barrel Tasting May 20  21 - I'm Linda Moran and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.