02/19/07 Washington Wine Country pt 1

Welcome to Vine to Wine, this is your host Linda Moran. Last week I attended the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Annual Conference. and today begins a series of programs devoted to  Washington and its wine country. Winemakers are for the most part the rock stars of the wine industry and that is fine after all, they study and work hard to bring us all of that great wine. However, make no mistake winemaking begins in the vineyards, for without excellent fruit there would be no unique or wonderful wines. The state of Washington has an impressive geologic history, which contributes to remarkably varied terrains, soil profiles and climates. This is one of the factors that drives the Washington wine community to identify the differences from one growing area to the next. The areas unique qualities are identified and documented, then defined and recognized as an America Viticultural Area, or AVA for short. These AVA's were discussed at the conference and I left thinking it makes sense and we as consumers might be interested in tasting wines from these differing places. Although, not with the goal of deciding one region is better than the other  but more to begin recognizing and appreciating the differences between them. I know I am shamelessly in love with Washington Wines and I am now on a mission to visit all of the AVA's in my state. Remember to send your wine questions to Linda at vine to wine dot net and thank you for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.