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.

Horizon Air announced this week that it is accelerating the phase out of its 37-seat Q200s turboprops currently servicing Walla Walla and replacing them with fuel-efficient 76 passenger Bombardier Q400s. This move had been scheduled for April 2009, but rising fuel prices has spurred the implementation date forward to this October.

Walla Walla had been hoping for the reinstatement of a fourth flight to and from Seattle. However, the greater capacity will go a long way to increase both business and visitor traffic.

According to Bombardier’s website, the Q400 is the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft of its size in the world, burning 30 percent less fuel and producing 30 percent less CO2 than a comparable jet.  Passengers will appreciate the larger overhead bins designed to accommodate standard roller bags. Furthermore, the “Q” in the model number stands for “Quiet” due to the Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system on the technologically advanced turboprop airliners.

Here is an unique opportunity to wine taste with wine writer Paul Gregutt. Recently, he announced on his blog that along with Jim German of Jimgermanbar, he will offer guided, custom wine tastings for groups of eight or more in a private room at the Jimgermanbar in Waitsburg.

You pick the topic, he’ll pick the wines, and guide you through a fun, entertaining and informative presentation. Jim will co-host, and tapas-style plates of your choosing will accompany the wines.
Prices depend upon the food and wines chosen, and the number of people in your group.

In addition, Paul is available to do basic palate training, seminars on varietals and wine regions, comparison wine tastings and “engaging discussions on a wide variety of wine-related topics.”

“My presentations are informal, amusing and fast-paced. I am happy to customize to your specific interests. If you represent a visiting group and want a quick and memorable introduction to the splendid wines of Washington state, I’m your man.”

Contact Paul at wine@paulgregutt.com