TOM MARQUARDT and PATRICK DARR | Posted: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:00 am
Although an eye-opening experience in the world of wine is not impossible, it is still quite rare. That's what happened at a recent tasting with Bob Bertheau, winemaker at Chateau Ste Michelle Winery in Washington state.
Chateau Ste Michelle, founded in 1934, is the largest winery in Washington and the 10th largest winery in the U.S., producing a little more than a million cases per year.
All of the winery's grapes are grown on the desert-like, east side of the Cascade mountains that bisect Washington. The vines are irrigated using water from the Columbia River.
In addition to producing Chateau Ste Michelle varietal wines from Washington sources, the winery has established collaborations with prestigious international wine producers.
Ernst Loosen is the owner of Dr. Loosen Estate from the Mosel in Germany where his winery makes some of the finest rieslings in Germany. It was this collaboration -- Bob Bertheau of Chateau Ste Michelle and Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen -- that created the 2006 Eroica that shook the earth for us. Up until now many of the rieslings we tasted tended to produce monolithic, low acid, flabby wines that were often too sweet. Eroica is a wonderful wine that should be tried even by those who dislike rieslings.
Tasting the Chateau Ste Michelle and Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling 2006. is an eye-opening experience. Ripe fruit and minerals are immediately apparent in the nose. We tasted peach and melon flavors and a wonderful mineral component with balanced, palate-cleansing acidity. Very elegant and not tiresome in the mouth. This wine has won an unprecedented six "Top 100 Wines of the Year" from Wine Spectator.
Chateau Ste Michelle's collaboration with Antinori, has produced another acclaimed winner, albeit a bit more pricey.
Col Solare Red Mountain Estate Columbia Valley 2004 -- composed of 80 percent cabernet sauvignon, 17 percent merlot, 2 percent cabernet franc, and 1 percent petite verdot -- offers up a nose and flavors of black cherry and plum fruit. Overall, it is a sophisticated package that could easily age 5-7 years, and would be a great accompaniment for a celebratory dinner featuring beef or pork.
on the aisle
New hue for rice
Try it: Red rice can be short-grain (Bhutan, for instance) or long grain (Thailand). Flavor will vary but red rices generally have a pleasant, nutty flavor and firm texture.
Use it: Substitute red rice wherever you would use white, in stir-fries, soups and curries. Red rice also can add a colorful foundation for spring and summer rice salads.
Find it: Until recently, red rice was found only in Asian markets. Times have changed. We purchased a 15-ounce jar of Thai red rice from Archer Farms, sold at SuperTarget, for $3.