KENNEWICK — Wine judgings don't have to be big to be beneficial to the wine-drinking public.

KENNEWICK — Spending some time in a mountain cabin with a chance to concentrate on tasting two fine lines of wine was a great idea until wild turkey got in my way.

KENNEWICK — Finding good wine at a good price is a good thing. And that's what Covey Run delivers.

A batch of Mid-Columbia wines that earned coveted platinum awards in the current edition of Wine Press Northwest magazine are not only top quality but also bargain-priced.

Vin du Lac is French that translates into "wine by the lake," and this emerging Chelan-area winery also translates it into some mighty tasty moderately priced wines.

KENNEWICK -- Preparing my annual year in review of wines revived fond memories of 2009.

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Traditionally, I've recommended a bottle of wine as a great Christmas or holiday gift for people who like wine.

KENNEWICK — Sifting though the results of the recent Tri-Cities Wine Festival, which attracted a record 328 wines for judging, is a bit daunting.

PROSSER — Albariño, an intriguing Spanish white grape with characteristics of pear and melons, is the star of Coyote Canyon Winery of Prosser.

KENNEWICK -- This is it for Thanksgiving.

KENNEWICK — It's time for round two of picking wines for the Thanksgiving meal, which offers an opportunity to explore and enjoy predictable and surprising elements of wine and food match-ups.

KENNEWICK — My how time flies when you're writing about wine.

WALLA WALLA — Yellow Hawk Cellar is a Walla Walla winery with a difference.

WEST RICHLAND — All things Riesling drives West Richland's Pacific Rim Winery.

Some visitors to Washington wine country who represent more than $400 million in annual wine buying power recently were treated to the state's Syrahs.

PASCO — Gordon Brothers Family Vineyard east of Pasco is a quintessential family operation.

GOLDENDALE — A rich red Zinfandel and a crisp, fruity rosι of Sangiovese highlighted a tasting last week of Maryhill wines under $20.

ZILLAH -- Silver Lake Winery near Zillah is a beautiful, bucolic spot to visit not only for the scenery, but also for its well-made and inexpensive wines.

PASCO — The first winery tasting room I ever visited was in 1976 when I drove out to Preston's winery.

Washington Wine Month at the state liquor stores arrived a month later this year, but it's worth the wait.

SUNNYSIDE — Decent, drinkable wine for about $4 a bottle is available from the Washington Hills bag-in-a-box wines.

PROSSER -- Desert Wind Winery in Prosser is a must-stop for folks who want bargain wines along with an eye-catching Southwest-style tasting room and gift shop.

BENTON CITY — Washington's wine industry has made a lot of money for folks over the years, but none more dear than the $21 million collected to aid children with serious medical needs.

WALLA WALLA — Canoe Ridge Vineyard and Whitman Cellars wineries are just a long cork toss apart.

RICHLAND — Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards & Winery is offering some August bargains, borrowing a longtime strategy of the Washington State liquor stores.