Copyright 2013 – Wine Press Northwest
Arguably, Riesling is the most important white wine in the world. And many of the world’s top Riesling winemakers will descend on Washington to celebrate the noble grape.
The annual Riesling Rendezvous begins Sunday at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville with a grand tasting of Rieslings from around the world. Wines from Washington, Oregon, California, New York, New Jersey and Michigan, as well as Germany, France, Austria, Canada, New Zealand, Slovakia and Australia will be on display.
In addition, the Idaho wine industry is a regional sponsor, which will help put the wines of the Snake River Valley in the global spotlight.
On Monday and Tuesday, hundreds of wine experts will gather at Bell Harbor on the Seattle waterfront to explore, taste and discuss Riesling.
A favorite among Washington Riesling we’ve recently tasted was Willow Crest Winery’s 2011 Estate Riesling.
Willow Crest Winery 2011 Estate Riesling, Yakima Valley, $12: David Minick launched Willow Crest in the mid-1990s and has been making superb wines since using estate grapes from north of Prosser. Minick also oversees vineyard operations for Precept Wine in Seattle, which now partners with him at Willow Crest. This is a classic Yakima Valley Riesling and one of the best you’re likely to taste in Washington. This opens with aromas of honeysuckle, apricot glacée and orange marmalade. On the palate, it unveils mouthwatering flavors of Limeade, apple and pear, all backed with bright acidity and no perceptible sweetness
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