The Washington Wine Trails board game offers vintage fun for eager oenophiles

I'm a wine lover who doesn't really know anything about wine -- except what I like. And that took me about 14 years to define! If there's a person on your holiday gift list who loves wine and wants to learn more about it, the Washington Wine Trails board game is an entertaining solution.

Created by David and Seth Portteus of Portteus Vineyards and Winery in Zillah, and longtime family friend Joe Mason, Washington Wine Trails was in development for two years before it launched this past October.

Meant to educate through humor and fun, the game features facts on popular wines (including many Washington state varietals), food pairings and faux pas. For inspiration, the game's creators polled tasting rooms in Eastern Washington for their most popular and memorable faux pas.

Players move their colored wine barrels along the trail, learning about wines like Lemberger (a "lighter styled dry wine with a spicy kick"); trying to gain points by making fun of snobbery; and discovering medal-winning wines. Commit a faux pas, such as chewing gum at a tasting or asking for a larger pour, and you'll lose points.

The game, which sells for $39.95, was made in the United States and can be purchased All Things Wine in Renton and online at http://washingtonwinetrails.com/. Gather a group of wine lovers, have them each bring a different type of Washington wine and pull out the game for a great night of oenological education.

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