Tri-Cities Official Visitors Guide 2008 - (Page 28) bY anDY perDue Andy Perdue is the editor of Wine Press Northwest, a quarterly consumer magazine that focuses on the wines of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho. He is also the author of “The Northwest Wine Guide: A Buyer’s Handbook,” which reviews 400 wineries and 1,500 wines. He lives in Richland, Washington. taKe a DesignateD DriVer It’s a wise choice. Bring along a non-drinking friend or hire a limousine or guide service to tour the Columbia Valley. Don’t trY to Do too muCh Three to five wineries is usually a good day for the best of wine enthusiasts. Take your time, talk to the winemaker, and walk through the vineyards. asK questions Often, the person pouring your sample is the winemaker or someone who helped make it. Wine appreciation comes with knowledge, so feel free to talk about the wines and ask questions about grapes and the process of winemaking. eat along the waY Plan to lunch at a local restaurant to make sure you keep up your wine-traveling strength. Better yet, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in a vineyard, as many Columbia Valley wineries provide picnic facilities. taKe an iCe Chest iF it’s warm out The Columbia Valley is a desert and can be warm to hot from April to October. Take an ice chest and try to keep your wine out of the sun. You don’t need ice, just the chest’s insulation against extreme heat. wine tasting is not “CoCKtail” hour www.winecountrycreations.com Don’t forget that you are receiving samples from our local wineries in the hopes that you will be purchasing from them. Please be respectful of these generous businesses. For a free wine tour brochure call 800.254.5824 or log on to www.visittri-Cities.Com. 28 www.VisitTri-Cities.com (800) 254-5824 or (509) 735-8486 http://winecountrycreations.com http://www.VisitTri-Cities.com http://www.VisitTri-Cities.com
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