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It has long been rumored that the few rows of vines at the entrance to Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Wash., were required so the winery could be called a "chateau."
PROSSER -- Construction is expected to start soon on the next phase of what backers say will be the state's premier educational and promotional center for Washington's wines and food products.
WEST RICHLAND — All things Riesling drives West Richland's Pacific Rim Winery.
Dry Riesling, organic Riesling, sweet Riesling, dessert Riesling and even sparkling Riesling are part of the lineup of this winery on Port of Benton property at Red Mountain.
The 2-year-old winery is the creation of Randall Grahm of California's Bonny Doon Winery, who admits he's obsessed with Riesling.
And Grahm says Riesling is particularly suited to Washington's soil and climate.
"Riesling's balance and acidity, sweetness or dryness and moderate alcohol makes it the perfect food wine," he said.
The winery doesn't have a tasting room, but wines can be purchased from its Web site, www.rieslingrules.com, or from Yoke's Fresh Markets in the Tri-Cities.
Pacific Rim will ship free if bought in six-bottle lots.
While Riesling is king at Pacific Rim, the winery also offers a fine Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc and an Italian food-friendly red blend.
All of the wines tasted for this column were in the $10 to $15 range. Pacific Rim also makes vineyard-designated Rieslings that sell in the $20 to $32 range.
2007 dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10 -- Great balance and flavors of apple crisp with a peach on top. Try this with a harvest salad with pears and blue cheese.
2008 organic Riesling, Columbia Valley $13 -- Aromas of jasmine with orange, grapefruit and lemon flavors. Would go well with curried shrimp on jasmine rice.
2008 sweet Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10 -- Aromatics of a Hawaiian flower lei and pineapple flavors. Perfect with Spam meatloaf topped with pineapple rings!
Nonvintage White Flower brut sparkling Riesling, $14 -- Made in California from Washington grapes. Crisp and refreshing with tasty sweet lemons. Tasty with gourmet mixed nuts.
2007 Vin de glacier Selenium Vineyard Riesling, $15 -- Very sweet at 16 percent residual sugar, offers lovely apricot syrup. Perfect with a dessert flan.
2007 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $10 -- Floral aromas along with bright pear and grapefruit flavors. A fine cocktail wine.
2007 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Valley, $10 -- Perfume aromas with pineapple and lychee flavors. Try with Chinese orange chicken.
Nonvintage Autumnus red, $13 -- A blend of Sangiovese, Barbera and Primitivo, this is a classic Chianti-style wine that would be great with slow-simmered Italian sausage spaghetti sauce.
Nonvintage Autumnus white, $10 -- A blend of Riesling, Chenin and Gewürztraminer with bright acidity and citrus flavors, this is ideal to pair with fish dishes like stuffed sole.
*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.
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