Wine & Country Living

Let's talk about Washington state's wine industry and it's playing a significant role in rural economic diversification efforts. I find this to be invaluable information today because we still have people who are misinformed about the value of our regional wineries in providing alternatives to traditional agricultural crop production.

The Washington state wine grape growers and producers are governed by a board of directors. The commission provides a marketing platform for the Washington wine industry and raises awareness of its wines so that the industry may achieve long term success. The Washington wine industry has experienced phenomenal growth, more than doubling in size in the past five years. Ranked second nationally in production, the state now has more than 500 wineries, over 350 wine grape growers and more than 31,000 vineyard acres.

The wine industry contributes over $3 billion dollars in revenue and provides more than 15,000 jobs annually. Considering the difficulties in retail sales for regional townships, this is very good news and may provide inspiration for our young adults looking for a career that can keep them here if desired.

With the changing of the seasons, how about a neighborhood pot-luck using regionally seasonally harvested foods? With Walla Walla's Farmers Market only a few miles down the road, why not load up your bike in the back of your truck, drive into town and ride over to the market for produce, dairy, bread and an incredible fresh-flower bouquet, perfect for your patio table.

While you're downtown, you might stop in at the Walla Walla Village Winery on South Third (509-525-9463) and pick up a bottle of their scrumptious '06 Riesling, a semi dry white with a big peachy nose, a velvet mouth rolling in residual sugars, vanilla bean and crushed sandalwood. Because you've managed to carry such succulence into the glass, Walla Walla Village Winery, you have earned 98 points from Wine and Country Living, congratulations! Until next week, "Eat Art, Drink Imagination!"

Touchet Valley Peach Topping (Makes 2-cups)

6-peaches chopped

½-vanilla bean scraped and chopped

½-teaspoon minced ginger

1-cinnamon stick

1-cup white sugar

¼-cup Riesling wine

Method: In a sauce pan reduce all until thick and glossy, cool and serve.

Hear Judith's webcast with recipe and photo @ www.chefjudithehenderson.com