So the judging is on—I keep my “Aroma Wheel” cheat sheets close, but there’s no time to dither. Flights of 8 or so wines arrive in rapid succession. Each wine identified by the grape type and a number. We are charged with evaluating characteristics and grading each. Yeah! Intimidating! Then we discuss with the other judges.  I am so cheered as I am often in sync with others. Then some experts find medal winners that I find just tolerable.

There’s an accessory side table of snack/surprises. Cut mushrooms, sliced apples, bread, crackers. I load up a little plate, hoping to improve my palate with these “cleansers”. Interestingly, cheese is forbidden. It’s alkaline qualities are so compatible with wine’s acidity that it too much improves the wine taste. Apple’s acidity, in contrast illuminates a wine’s flaws. Insiders know “Sell with cheese, Buy with apples”. Know you dear readers and I are insiders!

Keep tasting! Discover the secret! I urge myself on.  Others spit out wine into large cups. I try this, but it makes the tasting more difficult; I taste much in the back of the mouth. As the day winds down, I am filled with great cheer; not just from the exhilarating challenge and the good company, but from the alcoholic properties of the wine! Ooops! Must learn to gargle and spit with the best judges tomorrow!

On to a bountiful Timberline Dinner, and hot tub afterward,thankfully. Ah, what I wont do to strive to take the wine program at the Geiser Grand Hotel www.geisergrand.com  to the next level  

The snow really started to come down thick and heavy as I pulled up to Timberline Lodge, National Historic Landmark on Mt. Hood. What a treasure, never ceases to inspire awe no matter how many times I visit. I joined the Northwest Wine Summit judging, not knowing what to expect from the organizers and fellow judges. Organizer/Director Parks Redwine soon interrupted our work to give a quick history of this arts+crafts masterpiece. A fellow history geek as well as wine geek! I am among friends to be sure!

I am a real wine enthusiast. I love tasting, drinking with good friends and great food. But also enjoy the whole process of nurturing the Geiser Grand’s wine list; getting muddy in the vineyards, following my favorite winemakers around, reading about the biz, making new discoveries. In short, learning the magical mysteries of the grapes and wine. So you can imagine my excitement when I was recently invited to be a judge at the prestigious Northwest Wine Summit (see www.vinochallenge.com/nwsummit) I’ve never been a judge at any official wine competition. Now I suddenly am to be a judge at the biggest deal in the Northwest?

Oh, and did you know that  I have no formal wine education? Intimidating! And so,  I have soberly resolved to drink more wine between now and the convening of the jury May 4! Seriously, I am in training! At the suggestion of Eric Degerman (Editor of Wine Press Northwest and friend) I sought out an “Aroma Wheel”. Former NW Wine Summit judge, and also friend Beverly Calder of Bella’s (fabulous wine + kitchen shop on Main Street in Baker City) kindly gave me a color copy of this  ”Aroma Wheel” which is pretty much indecipherable. So now my anxiety is raised higher.

I think I’m in for a eye opening and probably quite humbling experience. I’ll be sharing it all with you as it unfolds thru May 8. Let the wine flow!