Oregon Public Broadcasting

Thousands of assessments of Washington merlot zipped across cyberspace Thursday. Vino experts and average wine fans alike logged on to Twitter for a virtual wine tasting event. It's a first for the Washington wine industry, although similar events have been organized out of California recently.About 80 Northwest wineries, restaurants and wine critics participated in the online merlot tasting event. More than 500 Twitter users from San Francisco to Portland joined in. At the Bookwalter Winery in Richland, Washington, wine enthusiasts watched a Twitter feed scroll across a large flat screen.Bookwalter's Marcella Henson said Twitter allows wine fans to feel included no matter what their experience level or physical location.“You don't have to feel pressured to be knowledgeable you can sit back and try wine or see what others are saying about wine and be educated," she said. During the social media event tasters were encouraged to open and rate any Washington merlot they wanted. The event was organized by Spokane based wine blogger Josh Wade.For more information, visit DrinkNectar.com