09/13/06 Washington Riesling

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran and recently I read an article about Riesling and it made me wonder what role the state of Washington now plays in the world of Riesling. Some of the best Riesling I have ever had has been from my home state of Washington. I have traveled and learned to love Riesling while in Germany and I still appreciate those wines immensely. However, living here in Washington wine country, I try many wines that are new to me each week and there are some very good examples of Washington Riesling that I am enjoying. I am apparently not alone, more and more of us are drinking higher quality and more diverse styles of Riesling from our state. In fact the demand has created a regrowth so to speak in the planting of Riesling in Washington state. In the last decade alone, the acreage dedicated to Riesling has increased by 60% to nearly 3,000 acres. Chateau Ste Michelle, based in Washington state, is the county's single largest producer of Riesling and makes various styles including an ultra-premium collaboration with the famous German Riesling producer Dr. Ernst Loosen. Although Riesling is being grown and wine is being produced throughout the country Washington's Columbia Valley has more Riesling planted than any other appellation in the United States. You know dry Riesling is one of the most food friendly wines in existence so please don't hesitate to join the rest of us who have already discovered Washington Riesling! Remember to send your wine questions to Linda to Vine to wine dot net and thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.