After a few visits to Walla Walla tasting rooms, veterans have it down to a science.

“Who is new? Who is releasing something new? Who are old friends?” are standard visits.  However, after those interests are satisfied, new parameters for a wine tasting experience sets in.  One is an art tour of wineries or perhaps an architectural exploration, or as we saw this spring, a horseback tour of tasting rooms.

Many visitors pick up a copy of Barb Whatley’s “Winery Dogs of Walla Walla” and set out to meet every canine in the book, complete with dog print autographs.

So the idea that there is a new winery tour available is not new, but this latest one is both novel and delicious!

True foodies already know about Petit Noirs Fine Chocolates and Delectables of Milton Freewater.  This artisan chocolatier is a gourmand’s delight in the excellence category of Monteillet Fromagerie and Colville St. Patisserie (interesting that they are all French names!)

Petit Noirs Chocolates

Petit Noirs’ latest creation is a chocolate lovers perfect adventure ~ a chocolate and wine map with a guide to pairing local wineries’ noted wines with their fine chocolate.

Imagine trying Petit Noirs’ Fresh Fig Truffle with Waters Winery 2005 Interlude, Waterbrook’s 2006 Grenache, Gifford Hirlinger’s 2005 Merlot or Isenhower’s 2006 The Last Straw Red. Or try Petit Noirs’ Mole Corn Truffle with Tertulia’s 2006 Temperanillo.

How about pairing PN’s Date Bacon Truffle with Zerba Cellars 2006 Syrah or Trio Vintner’s 2006 Zin? Then for the legendary Chili Pepper Truffle pairing, try Forgeron Cellar’s 2005 Zinfandel or K Vintners’ 2007 KungFu Girl Riesling. These are just a sampling of Petit Noirs’ exquisite selection of truffles and chocolates, they have many more delectable temptations that they have tasted and paired with the valley’s best wines.

One observation: the wines paired with Petit Noirs exquisite creations are heavily weighted in favor of the south end wineries. However, it gives a true chocolate and wine connoisseur the perfect starting point ~ Petit Noirs’s tasting room in M-F.  Stop by and pick up your chocolate and wine tasting map.  Proprietors  Lan Wong and James Boulanger will be delighted to put together a selection of their finest selections when they hear your winery preferences.

You still have time to submit your own beautiful Walla Walla picture that could be worth a weekend getaway for two!  Tourism Walla Walla is looking for iconic photos that capture Walla Walla’ s spirit, culture and natural beauty to be used on their website and published in their 2010 Tourism Walla Walla travel guide.

The grand prize winner will receive a weekend getaway in Walla Walla on Dec. 5-6, including lodging for two nights during the Holiday Barrel Tasting, where more than 50 of the Walla Walla Valley’s winemakers will introduce their newest vintages.  The prize includes lodging for two nights and dinner for two on Saturday evening at 26brix – a package worth more than $500!

The contest runs through Friday, October 3, and complete contest details are available at http://photos.wallawalla.org/.