SEIZING A RIESLING

I stumbled upon a true Bottom Bottle find while browsing at Ralph’s the other day; Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Riesling on sale for half its usual price range of $10--$14.  For just a little bread I got a little wine, and enjoyed a transcendent “French-style” supper of cheeses and crackers, cured meat and fruits—and of course cold crisp dry perfumed Riesling.

Pronounced ‘/ˈrizlɪŋ, ˈris-/ Reez-ling’, this white fruity grape originated in the valley of the Rhine and was grown by peasants and popularized during the Middle Ages.  My wine was grown at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville Washington.  Although a long way from Germany, it is the oldest winery in Washington and the largest single producer of Riesling in the United States!

 

I found this wine to be quite delicious.  It needs no breathing and comes out clean and loose, fruity and aromatic at first pour.  Rieslings are sold ‘sweet to dry’ depending on preference—mine was semi-dry and oddly semi-sweet.  I paired it with some sumptuous Columbus Herbed Salami, a Boar’s Head Blue, buttery Dutch Havarti, fresh garlicky hummus, sliced apples and tomatoes and low-sodium crackers.  This was my dinner and though it was a totally UNAUTHORIZED TASTING, it was absolute HEAVAN!  “Fo’ shizzle my Rizzle!”