A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
By Kori ~ August 25th, 2011.
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 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle 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 <=$15
- 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 Riesling, are made in Woodinville.
“Our Columbia Valley Riesling is a blend of Riesling from throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley. We craft it to be a refreshing, off-dry Riesling vintage after vintage. The wine delivers flavors of ripe peach and juicy pear with subtle mineral notes. This is our ‘every day Riesling’ that is easy to match with a variety of foods.†–Bob Bertheau, Head Winemaker
2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling (Columbia Valley, Washington): Pale, greenish straw yellow in color. Aromatic with floral notes, honey, and dried apricot on the nose. More white peach as well as pear and a hint of minerality come through on the palate. Off-dry and medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Residual Sugar: 2.29%
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; Widely available elsewhere, $8 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