March is for Washington

Greetings and Salutations!With great adoration I announce that March is Washington Wine Month!

Washington State is America's second-largest wine producing region with over 700+ growers and over 300+ grape growers.
There are 12 Appellations of wine growing regions in the state.
Yakima Valley - Established in 1983
Walla Walla Valley - 1984
Columbia Valley - 1984
Puget Sound - 1995
Red Mountain - 2001
Columbia Gorge - 2004
Horse Heaven Hills - 2005
Wahluke Slope - 2006
Rattlesnake Hills - 2006
Snipes Mountain - 2009
Lake Chelan - 2009
Nache Heights - 2011

The leading varietals are Riesling (at 21%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Chardonnay (18%), Merlot (18%) and Syrah (7%). On the ration of 52% to 48% white wines are Washington States' most popular ,varietal. Altogether, Wine Grape Acreage is roughly 43,000+ acres or 17,000+ hectacres with over 160,000 tons of grapes harvested every year.
Washington gets 17.4 hours per day of summer sunlight with is about 2 hours more than California's prime wine grape-growing regions. The annual amount of rainfall is eight inches in the east (the major grape growing region) and 48 inches in western Washington state.

If you would like to try some delicious Washington varietals might I recommend a few?
Airfield Estates has an incredible Late Harvest Riesling while Thurston Wolfe (a grape geneticist) has an all around red and white collection. McKinley Springs has a red blend under the name "Bomb Range" which is a full bodied red with a clean finish and an intriguing history. Columbia Crest has a light hearted, semi-sweet moscato with fresh fruit flavorings while the ever popular 14 Hands' lush, full bodied riesling joins it's family of exquisite blends.

Overall, I was most impressed by Barnard Griffin Fine Artisan Wines, one of Washington's oldest vineyards. Rob Griffin came to Washington in 1977 and became Preston Valley's first premier wine maker. Even though professors in California told him that Washington was too cold to grow grapes, he soon won Best in Show at the Seattle Enological society's Northwest Wine Festival with his own Chardonnay. In 1983, Rob started making his own private label with his wife Deborah Barnard. Their first batches mainly focused on Chardonnay, Fume' Blanc and Riesling. Their varietals have spread out to Cabernets, merlots and even a decadent Orange Muscat.
What impressed me the most about Barnard Griffin vineyards was their amazing 2009 Syrah Port. Rich and full bodied, with a hint of sweetness, this red was addicting from the first to last drop. Retail at $17.99 the Syrah Port is an affordable find for any port connoisseur.
http://www.barnardgriffin.com/

There are many, many more lovely Washington wines such as Chateau Ste. Michelle and Hogue, ranging from acidic and tannin filled to lush and juicy. Take your time, it's a long month.

I hope you have learned something new today and will go out an explore our lovely state of Washington and it's amazing growing climate.

Until next time,
Racecar