Long time readers know that each month for my Virtual Tastings, I pick a specific wine on a specific date and discuss the wine with others on-line. Since starting these tastings in 2008, I have never varied from this format.

Until now.

As many of you know, Thursday March 25th there is a nationwide Washington Merlot Twitter tasting. The event is being organized by DrinkNectar.com in conjunction with a number of other Washington wine bloggers and social media folks (see list here).

Participation in the event is simple. All people need to do is find a Washington Merlot and tweet about it between 5 and 7pm PT on the 25th using the hashtag #WAMerlot. For you long-time virtual tasters, this differs from our usual time of 7-9pm, but I’m sure the tweeting will go on long past 7pm if you find yourself late to the party.

Don’t use Twitter? Feel free to leave a comment on my blog post on Thursday the 25th, and I will link the comment to Twitter. For those unaccustomed to Twitter, go to search.twitter.com and search for #WAMerlot during the event to follow the discussion.

In terms of finding a wine, many retailers and Washington wineries are offering Merlot specials for the event. Ask your favorite Washington winery if they are participating in the event to see what they have planned. Almost seventy wineries are currently signed up (see list here) along with a number of wine bars, restaurants, and retailers (Note: Wineries, there is still time to join. See a list of potential ways to participate here. Even if you can’t participate, let your fans and followers know about the event so they can tweet about your wine).

Finally, make sure to register for the event at wamerlot.eventbrite.com. We want to know that you’re coming.

Previous Virtual Tastings

February Hedges CMS Red 2008

January Columbia Crest Grand Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

December 09 Virtual Tasting – Brian Carter Cellars Abracadabra 2007

November 09 Virtual Tasting – Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet 2007

October 09 Virtual Tasting – Owen Roe Sinister Hand 2008

September 09 Virtual Tasting – Novelty Hill Cabernet CV 2006

August 09 Virtual Tasting – Barnard Griffin Cabernet 2007

July 09 Virtual Tasting – Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2008

June 09 Virtual Tasting – Waterbrook Melange Noir 2006

May 09 Virtual Tasting – Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2007

April 09 Virtual Tasting- Columbia Crest GE Shiraz 2006

March 09 Virtual Tasting – Magnificent Wine Co. House Wine 2006

February ’09 Virtual Tasting – Hedges CMS Red 2007

January ‘09 Virtual Tasting – Columbia Crest GE Merlot 2006

December ’08 Virtual Tasting – Ch. Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cab 2005

November ’08 Virtual Tasting – Russell Creek Tributary Red 2006

October ’08 Virtual Tasting- Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet 2006

September ’08 Virtual Tasting – Tamarack Firehouse Red 2006

August ’08 Virtual Tasting- L’Ecole No. 41 Recess Red 2006