Last niight, Lynn and I hosted at wine tasting at our home in Walla Walla. The theme was to taste blind six different varietal wines as see how the guests' scores compared with those of mine in my previously published reviews. Our guests were Tom Olander and Barb Comaree (Bunchgrass Winery), Steve Robertson (SJR Vinevard in the "Rocks"), Sabrina Leuke and Tim Donahue (College Cellars). Generally, guests scored the wines lower (17-19/20 points) than I did (18.5-19.5). I think that may be because winemakers and growers tend to be more critical of their and others' wines. Some of my scores were a bit lower (.5 point) than when originally reviewed. Scores can vary bit when tasted in a different setting. Everyone found using the University of California Davis 20 Point System to be interesting and useful, in comparison to the more widely used 100 points.

After the tasting, during supper, there were some stimulating discussions. One of the wines tasted was a Syrah from the proposed new AVA, "The Rocks District of Milton Freewater" which showed distinct characterisics of that terroir. Tim Donahoue theorized that it could be from amino acids associated with the soil although there isn't proof of that. Steve Robertson brought up the subject of the need for more of an identity for the Walla Walla Valley AVA. All of us agreed that something needed to be done about that. I suggested there needed to be more focus on the Walla Walla Valley's wines, setting them apart from those of, say, Red Mountain which seems to get a lot of press although it is not a real destination locale with lots of wineries, spas, restaurants and so on. How to make Walla Walla a destination is what needs to be figured out. Walla Walla has plenty going for it, the word just needs to get out more.

It was a fun and stimulating evening. Getting together and tasting and talking about wines, and about the future of Walla Walla wines is a recurring theme in the Valley.

Wine Writing as Poetry

Yesterday, in the process of getting Review of Washington Wines copy proofed, to check for accuracy and possible ommissions, I emailed copy on the Betz Family Winery for the December issue to Bob Betz. I got the following reply: "You are quite a poet. Not only are the facts correct, but your descriptions make me want to rush out an try these wines. Well done, well stated and much appreciated." I replied, "It is very kind of you to call me 'quite a poet." When I write about wines such as yours, I try to convey a sense of character and style, like poetry in a bottle." Then I got this reply from Bob: "You hit it spot on, Rand." Thanks again, Bob.