I'm writing this from the technical session at the 2010 Anderson Valley Pinot [Noir] Conference and Festival. The usual Friday technical papers precede a huge tasting under a tent Saturday. (I generally carry some good Burgs to the early part of this conference, offering glasses of which frequently leads to reciprocal offers from winemakers casually met.) I should have further upshots later. First technical paper concerned appearance of European Grapevine Moth in this (Mendocino) County on April 26, spurring strong measures to contain it.
This meeting generally includes news and discussions about US Pinot Noir developments in general, not just in the local appellation that hosts it. (This afternoon: Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of 100-point rating scales. Hmmm ...)
Pictured: Winegrowers' Association chair and respected winemaker Mary Elke.