07.14.2009
Wine Spectator's Harvey Steinman hosts a video blog about the popularity of Washington Riesling and shares his impressions of Chateau Ste. Michelle's 2007 Dry Riesling.
In 2008, for the first time, Washington crushed more Riesling than any other grape variety. Riesling vineyard acreage has increased 75% in 5 years. What's propelling this growth? Harvey says it's simple, "consumers like Riesling...finally! ...People like the fruit flavors and the dance the wine does on their tastebuds. Riesling has long been favorites of hip sommeliers partly because the varietal is a natural when it comes to food pairings and partly because it delivers plenty of class and charm at attractive prices and these days who can resist value?"
In the video he tastes and comments on the Chateau Ste. Michelle 2007 Dry Riesling Columbia Valley. "10-20 years ago when other West Coast wineries were pulling out their Riesling vines, Ste. Michelle kept planting, now it's the company's largest selling varietal...White winemaker Wendy Stuckey came here from Australia where they like their Rieslings dry and she made a particularly good one in 2007. It smells very floral and it's very delicate. It's not in your face hey look how fruity I am kind of wine. Its got this floral almost savory smell to it which is kind of nice and not expected in a Riesling but has that vibrant acidity.There is a little bit of residual sugar in this but you would never know it because the acidity is so high. It really does taste dry and mostly you taste lime and floral flavors. It is really very refreshing and would make a great match for something like raw oysters or fresh cheese."
