Although many people think of Washington State as being unfeasibly far north, Seattle is approximately on the same latitude as Bordeaux. There are two main growing areas in Washington. One is inland and virtually desert, has a continental climate and has to be irrigated. In fact some of those old vineyards look extraordinary as they are circular and watered from above by mechanised structures that move round, pivoted in the centre. The coastal vineyards have a more temperate climate and are maritime, affected by the Pacific, cool currents and often at some altitude. (CW 23/01/12)