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!

While listening to an audiotape from the International Association of Culinary Professionals last week while at the gym working out on the EFX machine (a classic case of multi-tasking), I learned about the other French “Pinot”–Pineau des Charentes. It’s partially composed of Cognac, although with a much softer, floral nose and lacking its sister spirit’s strong alcoholic aftertaste/burn.

Never having tasting it before, I tried the spirit one evening at the lovely bar at Campagne. Here’s a shot of the bottle and Pineau in the glass. I found out it’s available at two of our Washington State Liquor stores–Fourth Avenue South and Seventh and Bell–in case you want a bottle for your liquor cabinet. This would also make a nice hostess gift for the holidays.

Last night I tried a very interesting wine from Olympic Cellars Winery, a long-time Washington-State business located on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Olympic Cellars Winery 2006 My Sweet Syrah is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Riesling. With four-percent residual sugar, it is definitely sweet, yet lush and light on the palate with soft tannins. This may be something for dark-chocolate lovers to consider next time they want a workable wine pairing. I may almost like it better than the more traditional Port.

Although Benoit Murat, the French-born winemaker for Olympic Cellars was hesitant to make a slightly sweet red wine, customers were asking for it. And the wine has been a big hit, according to winery owner and self-described “bar maid and cellar rat,” Kathy Charlton. In fact, it’s outselling all other wines at Olympic Cellars. 

Many of you know I recently started writing for “Pacific Northwest,” The Seattle Times’ Sunday magazine. You’ll be reading my take on Boxed Wines in this Sunday’s edition. But in the meantime, just in time for the weekend, here’s a link to my May 25 article, which featured 10 of my favorite summer-time wines along with a great grilling recipe by Portland cookbook author Diane Morgan. Her latest tome is entitled, “Grill Every Day: 125 Fast-Track Recipes for Weeknights on the Grill,” and the title says it all. Her Grill Every Day Spice Rub recipe is a must-have for summer, and year-round grilling.

San Juan Vineyards 2007 Afterglow is a new wine discovery that makes the perfect summer sipping wine for the patio, pool, or beach. Says owner Yvonne Swanberg, “So happy that you enjoyed the Afterglow. It is named in honor of Afterglow Beach here on San Juan Island and for the afterglow of our beautiful summer sunsets.

“It is a blend of 70% Madeleine Angevine and 30% Pinot Noir with just a splash of Merlot for color. The Pinot Noir is also from our estate vineyard. We could not put “estate grown” on the label due to the splash of Merlot.

“This is the first Pinot Noir harvested from our vineyard, harvested last year, which was a cool season.”

The only downside to this seductive summer wine? According to Yvonne, “It was only a small bottling. . .110 cases sold only in the tasting room.” So get up to the Islands and buy a case before it’s all sold out!