Anybody who reads the Northwest Notes blog with any regularity knows that I love raw oysters on the half shell. And one of the most fun things in life, in addition to slurping these gorgeous Northwest beauties, is figuring out what wine to drink with them.

I’ve written about the subject for The Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine and, more recently, my Wine Press Northwest column called Northwest Edge.

Thanks to our buddy Jon Rowley, founder of the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition (which he famously calls “the annual dating service for West Coast wines and oysters”), every year around this time he and a panel of expert food and wine professionals choose the 10 best oyster wines.

In this unique wine competition, judges taste each wine with at least one oyster and then rate the “bliss factor.”

This year, the finals for the 18th annual contest took place April 24 in Los Angeles at the WaterGrill, April 25 at Kuletos in San Francisco, and April 26 at Anthony’s Homeport at Shilshole Bay in Seattle.

Four Washington, three California and three Oregon white wines, including six bright, refreshing Pinot Gris, two crisp Sauvignon Blancs, a dry Chenin Blanc, and an elegant Pinot Blanc prevailed over 101 entries.

Taylor Shellfish Farms of Shelton, Washington, sponsor of the Competition, is pleased to congratulate the 2012 “Oyster Award” winners:

Brandborg 2010 Pinot Gris (OR)

**Cedergreen Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (WA)

**Dry Creek Vineyard 2011 Dry Chenin Blanc (CA)

**Foris Vineyard Winery 2010 Pinot Blanc (OR)

**Hogue Cellars 2010 Pinot Grigio (WA)

Kenwood Vineyards 2011 Pinot Gris, Russian River (CA)

**Kenwood Vineyards 2011 Sauvignon Blanc (CA)

Milbrandt Vineyards 2010 Traditions Pinot Gris (WA)

Sockeye 2010 Pinot Gris (WA)

**Van Duzer Vineyards 2011 Pinot Gris (OR)