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NEWSMAKERS Faces& Forums Experts Tackle High Alcohol In Washington Speakers at annual event say rise of alcohol levels may have been fueled by critics K ennewick, Wash.—A panel of experts at the annual meeting of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG) kicked off this year's convention by discussing high-alcohol wines, which (myth has it) taste better and get higher scores. Speak- ers pointed to the palates of A-list wine reviewers among the factors, which also include climate and viticultural practices, that contribute to wines checking in at 14% alcohol and higher. Joshua Maloney, director of winemaking at Milbrandt Vineyards in Mattawa, Wash., and the former red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle, agreed that reviewer preju- dices can play a role in how winemakers style their wines. "High alcohol tends to make wine stand out," he said. With markets less uniform than ever, diversity is now the rule with younger wine aficionados bringing their own tastes and influences to the table. Nearly 2,000 members of the wine industry attended the WAWGG annual meeting Feb. 7-10 at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wash. The trade show drew more than 150 exhibitors including Wines & Vines. —Peter Mitham 26 Wines & Vines MARCH 2012 WAWGG chair Lynne Chamberlain chats with executive director vicky Scharlau in kennewick. Glen Fukuyama of kiona vineyards toasts with wife Carrie Fukuyama during the reception. WAWGG directors kevin Corliss of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Mary Stuart of the USDA Risk Management Agency and Leif Olsen of Olsen vineyards gather on the trade show floor. Dan Bernardo and Thomas Henick-kling, both of WSU, meet at the university's booth. Joshua Maloney of Milbrandt vineyards talks with Marty Clubb of L'Ecole No. 41. ( f r o m l e f t )