Grapes on the Vine (photo by Emily Roesly, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Last week wine tasters from the Wall Street Journal reported being “fascinated with the growth, not just in size but in quality” of Oregon’s Pinot Noirs over a decade of sampling.

This week an article by Dana Tims of The Oregonian reports that “Early indications, say winemakers around the state, are that 2008 could go down as one of the best vintages of the past decade.”

“First, meager autumn rains” and then, “cool daytime temperatures” made for conditions that were “virtually perfect” for growing the state’s celebrated Pinot Noir grapes. A great vintage will do more than just please wine lovers, as Oregon’s commercial wine ndustry "now generates $1 billion annually.”

If you’d like to read The Oregonian article cited above go to: Oregon winemakers expect 2008 to be a vintage year