The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Wine Guy and I have been discussing real estate lately. It seems housing in the bay area has met an all-time low, and if funds provide, the time to buy is now.

I asked a realtor girlfriend what's happening in Columbia and Walla Walla counties, and she said we are experiencing the same phenomena due to "folk's economic re-evaluation of their needs." Isn't that the truth!

In today's market, the kitchen still rates as the most important room in the house, with the master bedroom a close second. It would seem the purchaser of today's home wants granite and stainless in the kitchen and a master suite fully appointed with walk-in closet. I think we can all appreciate these two issues.

When a survey was taken in San Francisco regarding what other options people might want in housing, they mentioned outdoor space, parking and in-house laundry. So, people seem to know what they want and need for all intent and practical purposes, but the question remains: does this make our rural more urban or are we all just one big, comfort needy nation? And if so, what might we do about this?

Of course, it's just a thought, but maybe it's time to reevaluate our personal sustainability and get on with it.

Coming home from Grants Pass today, I stopped by Cougar Crest Winery for a bottle of a dry but flowering '08 Viognier. This bottle has been consistently good for several years, and I highly recommend it with winter salads.

It holds an unusual honey-like mouth and a melding starfruit tongue, both nuances most dry viogniers lack. Because the soft-fruited tongue comes across so deliberate, Cougar Crest earns 98 points from Wine and Country Living. Congratulations Cougar Crest and Staff!

Until next week, "Eat Art, Drink Imagination!"

Wild Wino's Winter Salad Serves 4

In a bowl mix together:

4-cups leafy greens

1-cup each: orange segments, chopped fennel, apple

slices, red onion

frac12;-cup feta crumbles feta

In a second bowl, whisk together to emulsify and pass

dressing to drizzle:

1-tablespoon honey

2-tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice

2-tablespoons sherry vinegar

frac12;-teaspoon salt

frac12;-teaspoon cracked black pepper

frac34;-cup EVOO

Hear Judith Speak @www.chefjudithhenderson.com