(Above: Watch "Wine Tasting Tips" by Frank Mangio, courtesy of www.TasteOfWineTV.com)How many of us have heard of, or even less, have tasted the number two wine in the world last year in Wine Spectator: Quilceda Creek Cabernet, 2003? If you think this is one of those cult wines from Napa, you are wrong. This gem came from the arid, almost desert-like area of Eastern Washington! In the Walla Walla Valley, fine wines from fully ripened grapes are the norm. The wines are not cheap. The Quilceda Creek commands a price of $85.

Actually, nearly all of Washington State’s vineyards are in Eastern Washington beyond the rainy Cascades and Seattle. Only an average 10 inches falls in these growing areas: Columbia Valley, Walla Walla, Yakima Valley and Red Mountain.

Even though it’s quite a ways behind California in number of wineries, Washington is the 2nd largest producing state in the nation, including one of the top five in the world for Cabernet. The vines are virtually disease-resistant and have greater density than most. The heat is intense during the growing season with a cool-down at night that approaches a 40 degree swing. Very Bordeaux-like, which is virtually the same latitude as Eastern Washington.

/>In addition to Quilceda Creek, some names to know include: Leonetti, Di Stefano, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, L’Ecole and Dunham. Recent superior vintages include: 2003, and 2005 which was the most balanced harvest in years. There is no shortage of excellent wine in Washington.

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