Tri-City Herald
August 28, 2018
When it comes to Riesling, Washington state offers the best of both worlds. Not only are the bottlings relentlessly delicious, but they also tend to be affordable.
Fortunately, the noble grape of Germany has been championed by the state’s largest and oldest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, but the Woodinville giant clearly is not doing all of the heavy lifting. Last year, winemakers brought in more than 33,000 tons of Riesling, making it the No. 3 grape, after Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
This year, with Washington’s wine grape harvest beginning Aug. 17, Riesling will hang on the vines for another six weeks before it will be picked. This will give it plenty of time to develop ripeness and interesting flavors before fermentation begins. The Columbia Valley’s cool nights help the fruit retain natural acidity, resulting in wines with beautiful flavors and perfect balance.>>>Read the entire article featuring Chateau Ste Michelle and Nine Hats on Tri-City Herald