My colleague Natalie MacLean, an independent and award-winning journalist who is author of the bestselling “Red, White, and Drunk All Over” and also edits one of the largest wine sites on the Web, has just launched a new mobile application for iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, Droid, and other smartphones. Developed by Cerado, this app builds on the success of her Drinks Matcher and includes all the pairings in the original app, plus thousands of wine reviews, recipes, articles, blog posts, glossary definitions, cellar journal, and winery directory.

And best news? This fabu new app is free!

According to Nat’s press release:

“With the Nat Decants Mobile App, you can find the right wines, whether you’re in a restaurant or at the liquor store restocking. It’s like having a sommelier in your pocket.”

Features of the new Nat Decants Free Mobile App include:

- Find 380,000 professionally tested food and wine pairings (not generated by computer algorithm)
- Access thousands of wine reviews by an independent journalist
- Search the reviews by winery, price, score, region, grape, vintage, food match
- Track your wines in your virtual cellar and add your own journal notes and scores
- Search a directory of 10,000+ wineries to buy wine or plan a visit
- Find thousands of tasty, tested recipes for every wine
- Get wine savvy with articles, glossary definitions, and blog posts
- Share on Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail with friends

To get the free Nat Decants Mobile App visit:

www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp

On the page above, click on the words iPod or iPhone under the iPhone image to go to the iTunes store for the app. The direct link is:

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/nat-decants/id353052386?mt=8

For BlackBerry, Droid, Nexus One, Nokia, Palm Pre and other smartphones, click on those words under the BlackBerry phone image. The direct link is:

http://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobile

After five relaxing days in Cannon Beach over the holidays, we made the gorgeous drive through the Columbia Gorge to stay at the White Salmon Inn in White Salmon, a small town on the Washington side of the Washington/Oregon border. We enjoyed our time in the Gorge, especially Hood River, where we dined at Celilo, 3 Rivers, and Brian’s Pourhouse. We’d recommend all three!

Here’s a photo of town looking down the street from our hotel. Note the threatening skies that held the promise of snow. So much so, that when we heard three to six inches were due, we were forced to cut our trip short by a day so we could get back to Seattle in time for a doctor’s appointment!

Once home, I was thrilled to receive a press release in which I learned that the Columbia Gorge region was named an iconic destination by National Geographic Traveler. According to the release:

“The National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Donations, which recently released its annual scorecard of the world’s most precious places, rated the Columbia River Gorge sixth internationally and second in North America for sustainable destinations in 2009.

“Judged on aspects such as social and cultural integrity, aesthetic appeal, tourism management, environmental quality and outlook for the future, the judges also considered the Columbia River Gorge for its vibrant wine culture:

“[The] burgeoning wine industry is bringing a new kind of cultural and environmental awareness to the area that is certainly going to be a boon for tourism and for the area’s prospects…”

In my seventh book, Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining, I devote an entire chapter to the Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area (AVA). Established in 2004 with only four wineries, the Columbia Gorge AVA is one of several bi-state wine regions on the Oregon/Washington borders. After just five successful years, the Columbia Gorge AVA boasts 20 wineries and is one of the most diverse AVAs in the country, with more than 30 grape varieties.

My book features a yummy Cream of Morel Soup recipe from Maryhill Winery, the AVA’s largest and most impressive and Washington State’s tenth largest winery. It was named the 2009 “Washington Winery of the Year” by Wine Press Northwest magazine and “Best Destination Winery” by Seattle Magazine. Producing 80,000 cases a year, Maryhill celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and also celebrates landing top scores on more than half a dozen of their varietals in recent reviews from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

Among the winners? Maryhill Winery’s 2006 Cabernet Franc Proprietor’s Reserve (91 points), 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor’s Reserve (90 points), 2006 Malbec Proprietor’s Reserve (91 points), 2006 Merlot Proprietor’s Reserve (91 points), 2008 Pinot Gris (87 points), 2006 Serendipity (91+ points), and 2006 Syrah Proprietor’s Reserve (92 points).

Cheers and Happy Tenth to Maryhill and congratulations to the entire Columbia Gorge region!

Over a glass of wine late one afternoon at Purple Café and Wine Bar I had the pleasure of meeting Enzo Schiano, a former Microsoft marketing heavyweight turned olive-oil producer and winemaker in Tuscany. Schiano and wife Claire Beliard (a native of France) make Poggio la Noce extra virgin artisan olive oil at their hillside estate in Fiesole, Italy.

Schiano, a native of Naples, Italy, who studied in the United States before joining Microsoft, has been making olive oil in his groves (2,000 trees farmed organically!) situated above Florence since 2001. This year I tasted his “olio nuovo,” or “new” oil that had been pressed just a week or so before he returned stateside.

As you might expect of a just-pressed extra virgin oil, it was a vivid green color, redolent of aromas and flavors of new-mown grass, fresh herbs, and a bit of pepper, yet still smooth and satin-y. Yum!

The oil, which sells for $24.99 for a stylish 500-ml bottle, is sold at Whole Foods Market, some Metropolitan Market locations, DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine, QFC, and online at the Poggio Web site, so you should have no problem finding it.

Enzo is also a winemaker, and his delightful Gigiò wine, a Sangiovese blend, is available locally at McCarthy & Schiering Wine Merchants (which also carries the olive oil). I’d buy it for the whimsical label alone, not to mention the lovely wine inside.

This time of year, these Italian treats with a Northwest tie would make lovely holiday or hostess gifts.

On Sunday, June 14, wine lovers are invited inside the exclusive Rainier Club to experience the 2009 Seattle Wine Awards Grand Tasting. Taste this year’s award-winning wines from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at two levels: General admission for $85 or VIP Admission for $125. Admission includes a commemorative wine glass, wine tasting, and a dinner buffet in Seattle’s historic mansion, The Rainier Club. Tickets for the Seattle Wine Awards Grand Tasting are available online. 

On Sunday, April 5, 3,500 Washington wine lovers flocked to the Taste Washington! Grand Tasting at Qwest Field Event Center, according to a press release issued by the Washington Wine Commission. More Washington wineries–more than 225–poured than ever before, and a record number of restaurants–more than 60–served delicious bites.

Though ticket sales were down slightly from 2008, according to the Commission, many wineries and exhibitors noted the high degree of wine knowledge and enthusiasm of the attendees. Several expressed their satisfaction in interacting with wine consumers who seemed extremely dedicated to tasting and expanding their knowledge of Washington wine.

The educational seminars at this year’s Taste Washington proved very popular. These seminars included panel discussions on a variety of topics, including tastings of several different wines from a single vineyard or single grape variety. There were also seminars on new developments in winemaking in Washington state, whether by a second-generation family winemaker or in a converted old firehouse from WWII. We enjoyed learning more about the venerable Klipsun and Champoux Vineyards with Klipsun owner Patricia Gelles and Champoux owner and grower Paul Champoux. 

Wine experts from the Northwest and around the country were recruited to speak. The speakers included Ray Isle of Food & Wine magazine; Bruce Schoenfeld of Travel + Leisure magazine; John Bonné of the San Francisco Chronicle; Patrick Comiskey of Wine & Spirits magazine and the Los Angeles Times; noted Northwest wine expert Paul Gregutt; Alder Yarrow of Vinography.com, widely regarded as the world’s leading wine blog; and master sommelier Michael Jordan, global wine manager for Disney properties.

To top it all off, a game show-style seminar gave audience members a chance to win prizes through a blind taste-off of Washington wines and similar wines from around the globe. With six wines to decipher, it was quite challenging, even for the Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers. Here’s Washington Wine Commission director of education and Master Sommelier Shayn Bjornholm talking up the panelists while wearing his famous powder-blue tuxedo.

Our friends Hilda and Earl Jones at Abacela Vineyards & WInery in Roseburg, Oregon, started a seminar series in February that focuses on the hows, whys, whats, whens, and wheres of growing grapes, producing, and enjoying wine. The weekend-day seminars are structured in lecture and discussion format and are free of charge. Here are a couple of the upcoming topics:

February 28, 1 p.m.: Vineyard Threats

Learn about vineyard threats and diseases that can “kill” the fruit before it becomes wine. Hosted by vineyard manager Alex Cabrera.

March 28, 1 p.m.: Wine Containers

Learn the role of materials in winemaking–specifically the differences between oak-barrel and stainless-steel fermentation vessels, bottle shapes, closures, etc. Hosted by winemaker Andrew Wenzl.

I’m long overdue in recommending my friend Teri Citterman’s latest book, the Northwest Wine Journal, as the perfect gift for every Northwest wine lover on your list (don’t forget Valentine’s Day!).

With varietal info and plenty of room to write down your favorite wineries and wine finds along the trail, it was published late last year by local publisher, Sasquatch Books, who also published my very own Pike Place Market Cookbook, and retails for $13.95. 

Here’s the ever-glamorous Teri in early December, at her book-launch party at The Local Vine in Seattle’s Belltown section. 

On Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, enjoy great wine, costumes, pumpkins, wine discounts, and fun during a themed weekend in eastern Washington’s Rattlesnake Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA) appropriately called Hallowine. According to the group’s funky press release, “Chills and thrills await you on the haunted trail. Stop in at each of the wineries to discover what treats they have available, or what ‘costumed persona’ will serve you. There could be wine-bar witches, pirates talking funny, or vampires dribbling wine (not blood) down their chins as you approach the tasting bars. But don’t be afraid. ‘Ve only vant you to taste our vines!’ Best news is there is no charge—Hallowine is complimentary to the public.

Here are some of the supernatural occurrences at the Rattlesnake Hills wineries during this special weekend:

Bonair Winery’s staff will greet you in their scary best for some wonderful Hallowine specials.  Come in costume for a fiendishly good deal. During the month of October enjoy a sampling of our wine and table grapes, fresh from our estate vineyards. Our fall tapas menus will continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the month of October.

 Eaton Hill Winery will have “the HalloWine works” during this special fall weekend – costumes, pumpkins, soup and their award-winning wines. Stop in 10 AM – 5 PM.

 Masset Winery will host some of the best, big pumpkin carving you’ve ever seen for HalloWine. Internationally known artists will provide the carvings – you’ll have to see these up close to believe they weren’t carved from fire and brimstone! See them in action on October 17 & 18, and again on November 1 & 2. The carved creations will be on display from mid-October through Thanksgiving. For a preview, visit www.masterpumpkinscultor.com

A press release from our friends Heidi Noble and Michael Dinn, owners and winemakers at Joie Wines on the Naramata Bench of the Okanagan, British Columbia, brings the most welcome news that their “A Noble Blend” 2007 has been declared the Best Value Aromatic White Wine in Canada, import or domestic, at the 2008 International Value Wine Awards.   Special mention was also accorded the Joie Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2007 and the Joie Riesling 2007 with both being singled out as Judge’s Choices. 

This recognition comes on the heels of the Joie “A Noble Blend” 2006 finishing as a finalist for 2007 Canadian White Wine of the Year at the 2007 Canadian Wine Awards.

Heidi’s recipe for Claybank Farm Lavender Biscuits is featured on page 232 of Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining, paired with a dessert wine–Elephant Island’s Apricot Dessert Wine from the Naramata Bench. 

Since its inception in 2004, Joie Wines has won numerous awards and been recognized consistently as one of the top producers of aromatic white and Rosé wines in Canada. The winery focuses exclusively on the grape varieties of Alsace, Burgundy, and Champagne which excel in the cool-climate desert of the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.

Joie to the world!