05/03/06 Washington Wines Win

Washington State Challenges World's Premier Wine. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The wine industry in Washington State has been growing steadily in the past few years. More and more, Washington wines are becoming accepted. Now a recent magazine article has given the states wine industry a huge shot in the arm. The current issue of legendary wine critic Robert M. Parker Jr.'s Wine Advocate features a record-breaking review of Washington state's wine industry written by Pierre-Antoine Rovani. Robin Pollard is the executive director for the Washington Wine Commission. POLLARD: Pierre Rovani was in Washington State several months ago meeting with some of the winemakers and tasting some of the Washington wines, and just issued a report last week with some incredible accolades for our Washington wines. There were about 87 of our wines that received a 90 plus score out of a perfect 100. And then two of our wines from Quilceda Creek, the 2002 and 2003 cabernet sauvignon received a perfect 100. Only 15 other U.S. wines have received 100-point ratings from the Wine Advocate, and only five 100-point ratings have been awarded to consecutive vintages by the publication since its inception in 1978. POLLARD: it really is an indication that our entire industry can stand up to the very best wine regions from around the world. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.