Willamette Valley Vineyards 2018 Riesling Oregon USA
Founded by Jim Bernau in 1983, the winery has grown to 500 acres plus of sustainably farmed vineyards in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. They have achieved the distinction of being named "one of America's Great Pinot Noir Producers" by Wine Enthusiast. Another unique distinction is that it's owned by more than 17,000 wine drinkers (Nasdaq: WVVI & WVVIP)
I have been a fan of their Whole Cluster Pinot Noir for years, it's a very good value bottle of wine that gives you a glimpse into how good Oregon Pinot can be. According to the website the winemaker uses the same technique for the Riesling, gently pressing the clusters then fermenting them in stainless steel to preserve the fruit flavors and freshness.
This opens with notes of Red Delicious apples, pears, tangerines, and a hint of peach in the nose, the palate tastes like you had a spoonful of fruit salad with a piece of each one of the fruits plus juice in it.... and a hint of grapefruit. It's lip smacking juiciness is addictive, tempting you to take another sip, semi-sweet at first in the mouth then finishes dry due to the good acidity balance.
This wine would be a nice match with an aged Gruyere cheese, one that has the salt crystals in it (Maxx Swiss) Or a Dutch aged cheese like the MELKBUS raw cows milk I found at the Centerra Co-op cheese counter, no bread or crackers, just the wine and cheese...
This wine will pair well with the Thanksgiving meal, spicy Asian, a charcuterie platter, grilled seafood, (garlic lime shrimp) or simply by itself at the end of the day out on the patio in a comfortable chair.....we're going to enjoy it with Düsseldorf chicken later today, which has a mustard cream sauce with scallions and Crimini mushrooms in it.
Available at most of the NH Liquor outlets on sale for $12.99 per bottle, if you like a good Riesling you should try a bottle of this, it's delicious. They also have the Whole Cluster Pinot on sale for $18.99 per bottle.....
As always, let me know what you think of these 2 wines if you decide to try them....
Cheers! Be safe out there....
Ed
