How nice it was to recently read in The China Post that “wine connoisseurs worldwide recognize the U.S. Pacific Northwest for its high-quality wines.” According to Keith Schneller, head of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Agricultural Trade Office in Taipei: “The fertile soils and numerous microclimates with rolling hills and lush river valleys have made it one of the world’s most important new viticultural areas.”

“Where there were only 50 vineyards in Washington state 10 years ago,” said Schneller, “today, there are more than 500.” Schneller made the comments at a Taipei tasting of several wines, including Washington state’s L’Ecole 41.

According to the Post, another of Schneller’s goals is to educate the Asian market to the fact that U.S. wines come from other states, not just California. “We wanted to introduce a diverse variety of American wines. While most people are familiar with California wines, they do not know much about those from Washington, Oregon or Idaho.”

Cheers to another Washington state wine champion!