With wine tasting rooms closed around the state, and wineries turning to curbside and home delivery, much has changed with wine tasting. Many wineries have turned to offering free shipping and taste at home packages. Here's what I've doing to cope with the situation.

Instead of making the rounds of winery tasting rooms, I've been having wines sent to me. I have received deliveries from Balboa, Tero Estates, Waters, Walla Walla Vintners, Valdemar Estates, Golden Ridge Cellars, Gramercy Cellars, and Goose Ridge (Goose Gap proposed AVA) These wines will be reviewed in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

Included in the May issue will be a number of 2016 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. That year experienced nearly ideal harvesting conditions for that grape. Having had a sojourn in oak for around 30 months before bottling, the wines are now being released. Scores will be high 90/20 plus, with some 19.5's and a 20/20. 

In accordance with social distancing, Lynn and I have been tasting these wines at home. We have been pretty much homebound except for trips to the grocery. I am writing the May issue on my computer on the dining table. All this gives a new dimension to working at home.