"A decade ago, Washington had 144 wineries. Now it has more than 550. While the state
produces all kinds of wines -- it has a little specialty in a grape called Lemberger and
we especially like its Riesling -- many wine people there have said for years that its real
star is Syrah, the great grape of the Rhône Valley of France and the same grape as Australia's
Shiraz. While Syrah is only the state's fifth most widely planted varietal, it's first in buzz
about Washington wines. And, indeed, it seems that the buzz is justified: In our last two broad
blind tastings of American Syrah, in 2004 and 2006, our favorite both times was from a Washington winery..."
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