Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009

Woehler on Wine: Desert Wind Winery

By Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest tasting editor

PROSSER -- Desert Wind Winery in Prosser is a must-stop for folks who want bargain wines along with an eye-catching Southwest-style tasting room and gift shop.

Desert Wind has a lineup of 10 wines for under $20, including several that can be purchased for about $10.

In January, I decided to write about wines selling for less than $20 because of the recession. I figured I'd run out of bargain wines in about four months, but it's been eight months now and no end is in sight.

Don't get me wrong, I love $30 to $60 and even $100 bottles of wine, but for now I'm not restocking my cellar with those.

And stories I've seen indicate many wine consumers also are being cost-conscious.

Back to Desert Wind, which has a nice lineup of white and red wines. You can save a couple of dollars off the listed price if you shop around.

2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Wahluke Slope, $10-$12 -- Lemon lime along with some crisp acidity make this a food-friendly wine. Perfect with barbecued oysters in the shell.

2007 Bare Naked Viognier, Wahluke Slope, $10-$12 -- Made in stainless steel tanks, it shows wonderful orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream characteristics. A great cocktail wine.

2006 Riesling, Wahluke Slope, $10-$12 -- Floral aromas with crisp orchard fruit flavors. Match with roast pork and applesauce.

2007 Sangiovese, Wahluke Slope, $14-$18 -- Serve slightly chilled to complement the strawberry overtones and a hint of spice. I suggest eggplant-stuffed ravioli with pasta sauce.

2005 Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $14-$18 -- Aromatic of sweet oak spice with smooth blackberry jam flavor. Just right with slow-smoked babyback ribs.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, $14-$18 -- Balanced oak and cherries with good tannins make this an excellent match with a rib-eye steak.

2007 Ruah, Bordeaux-style blend, $16-$20 -- This most popular of Desert Wind reds can be purchased for $11.99 at Costco. It's a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Think rich black cherries; it's smooth and light and would go well with a grilled tri-tip.

-- On the net: www.desertwind winery.com

* Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.