03/05/07 Okay to Spit

Okay to spit. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The Washington Wine Commission is interested in getting more wine drinkers in the Northwest to drink northwest wine so they are hosting several events aimed at introducing local wines to the population. Chris Stone is the Washington Wine Commissions Consumer Marketing Director. STONE: We may have high wine recognition but we certainly need to raise the awareness of Washington wine. The consumption of Washington wine has a long way to go. Go into any restaurant and look at the wine list. So many restaurants are dominated by California and foreign wines. It should be the reverse. When sampling wine, it's best to sip a little and experience the flavor in your mouth, then spit it out. STONE: Each winery will pour about an ounce of tasting. We highly encourage people to taste, not drink and we do encourage spitting. It's hip to spit as we say. The Wine Commission is presenting two Taste Washington events. One in Seattle and one in Spokane. STONE: Seattle is April 14 & 15. The 14th is education day and that takes place at Bell Harbor International Conference Center. And the Grand Tasting is Sunday and that takes place at Qwest Field Event Center. And then the Spokane event is at the Davenport Hotel on Sunday, June 17th. Tomorrow we'll look at the growing younger wine market. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.