Well Versed in Varietals

By Warren Rojas

Cellar dwellers, your time to shine is nigh.

The Wine Century Club, an oenological society whose only real requirement is that members must have tried at least 100 different grape varieties, is staging Le Grand Prix du Cepage—a tasting competition seeking the wine lover with the most varietals under his/her belt by November 12.

WCC president Steve De Long said the contest is open to new recruits as well as preexisting members, with the winner walking away with a silver-plated cup.

You’d better get started soon, as De Long knows of at least one WCC vet who’s sampled over 450 grape varieties.

But you needn’t go it alone.

The Washington Wine Academy hosts semi-regular tastings designed to help wine lovers cross exotic grapes off their list. So, whether you currently know your Pignolo from Pinotage, confidence is high you’ll discover a new pour (or dozen) along the way.

Take inventory of your grapes grasped to date at: www.winecentury.com. To learn more about local Wine Century Club events, visit: www.washingtonwineacademy.org.

(September 2010)