Discover Walla Walla

Since I was a youngster I have always had a fascination with Valentine cards. It may explain why even today I collect, and always drawn to, the old red and pink ephemera at flea markets and antique stores. These old Valentines, with handwritten notes of faded ink, have often left me wondering about their journey and romantic stories. I am also fascinated with the labels on bottles of wine.

Every bottle of wine in the Walla Walla Valley tells a story. Also, wine labels are important sources of information for consumers describing the type and origin of the wine in the bottle. Sometimes the label is often the only resource a buyer has for evaluating the wine before purchasing it. Certain information must be included on the wine label, such as origin, type, producer, alcohol percentage and standard government warnings. But all of that information aside, it is the logo of the winery that is the most eye-catching.

 

Of course, not all Valentines are decorated with romantic themes. Like Valentines, the Walla Walla Valley has an assortment of wine labels from the prestigious-looking style of Leonetti and Long Shadow's to the whimsical labels from K-Vintners and L'Ecole No. #41. Pictures of animals adorning wine labels are always eye-catching and popular, especially labels with photos of dogs such as those from Dunham Cellars and Lowden Hills. Wineries that produce blends or second labels often take the opportunity to use more fanciful and witty labels while keeping their more serious and staid labels on their lead wines such as the Walldeaux Smithie label from Forgeron Cellars and the Substance wine labels from co-partners, Waters Winery and Gramercy Cellars.

Wine labels have long been collected just like Valentines. Collecting wine labels can turn into a full-fledged hobby, with collections organized by wine varieties, regions and even themes such as labels with dogs or other animals. For others, saving labels may be part of maintaining a wine tasting-notes journal, a particular outstanding wine or just simply to remember a special event in one's life.

Romance and wine, especially red and sparkling wines, have long been a part of Valentine Day celebrations. Opening a bottle of wine is like opening an envelope containing a Valentine. Wine can tell a story: from the beginning with the label on the bottle and a happy ending on the palate - a Valen-wine.