A Wine for Tonight: 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling



By Kori ~ September 6th, 2012.

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$20
  • Must be widely available

Washington is the largest Riesling producing state in the United States. And, Washington State’s own Chateau Ste. Michelle is the largest Riesling producer in the world. Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State’s founding winery with its roots dating back to the repeal of Prohibition. In 1976, Ste. Michelle built a French-style chateau in Woodinville, just northeast of Seattle. While all of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s vineyards are located on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, all of their white wines, including this Dry Riesling, are made in Woodinville.

“The Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling is a crisp, dry and refreshing style of Riesling. It exhibits fresh flavors of white peach and mandarin orange, and ends with a clean finish. This is an incredibly versatile food wine and my favorite with oysters.” –Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker

2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): Very pale yellow. Aromatic with floral notes, pear, and white peach on both the nose and palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long, clean finish. Residual Sugar: 0.72%
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $9; Available elsewhere, $6 to $12


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Riesling, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. Mike Veseth | September 6th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    I agree, Wine Peeps. This is one of the great bargains in the wine world. I remember when it was tasted at Riesling Rendezvous. The elite international crowd gave a spontaneous standing ovation when Wendy told them that it sold for about $8 (or less than $6 at the right time and place). Bravo CSM!

  2. Kori | September 6th, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Thanks, Mike. I, too, remember the standing ovation that Wendy received at Riesling Rendezvous. Well deserved! This wine definitely delivers serious bang-for-your-buck and has become a “house” favorite of ours. Cheers!