Versatile Rieslings, perfect for drinking and pairing.
I've become excited about Washington Riesling wine all over again. Riesling wine is truly one of the most versatile white wines out there. Specifically, the dry and semi-sweet styles of Riesling have an almost unlimited potential for drinking and food pairing enjoyment. And are so, my speed. Today it is one of the fastest growing white varieties in the industry.
Case in point, not only are the Pacific Rim Rieslings fresh and delicious, but they have complexity, variation of style and a vibrant character which makes them eminently drinkable and friendly food wines. And one of the biggest secrets about Columbia Valley Rieslings, is that they can be aged for years and will continue to develop wonderful aromatic and flavor characteristics. Young, or aged, Pacific Rim Wines Columbia Valley Riesling is to be sought out.
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| Eminently drinkable wines and wonderful with food. |
Pacific Rim Wines is well known for making Washington Riesling since 1992. It helps that 90% of their production is Riesling. What also helped, was moving their production facility from California to Washington states Columbia Valley in 2006. Because that's where the grapes are grown. Though Pacific Rim Wines is only 10 minutes from my home, I have never been inside. Their production facility in West Richland, Washington is not open to the public.
It was my pleasure to review and pair these Pacific Rim Riesling wines at my home. If you love Riesling, take some of these bottles to your home. If you have not experienced Washington Riesling recently, then you my friend are missing out. Time to change your ways.
Enjoy!
Tasting Notes and Food Pairings
1.Pacific Rim, Dry Riesling 2016 Columbia Valley
This is currently the style of Riesling I enjoy most. Bright, mineral driven, textured, with that racy acid that excites the palate and appetite and matches so well with fresh seafood. My favorite pairing was with wild USA shrimp, sauteed in bacon fat and garlic. Amazing!
Color: Gold, clean, clear.
Nose: Minerality, suggestive of spring rain, just sliced Fuji apple, hint of chamomile, tangerine and toast.
Palate: Fresh, dry, medium plus intensity, focused to middle, textured, apple, chamomile, enjoyable tartness, racy acid and tangerine into medium finish. Big Like. Good sipping wine, shell fish, sushi, fresh fruit, vegetables, and mild cheese for pairings suggested.
Day two: Minerality, river rock, Fuji apple skin, lemon, medium tart, dry and textured on medium finish. Think raw oysters and shrimp ceviche, or just as an aperitif. Lovely.
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| OMG a favorite pairing of the year! |
Thoughts: What’s not to like? Drink now. And share. Good with potato salad (the dill baby) and sliced tomato. Shaved Parmesan and Fontina cheese added positive dimension to the asparagus salad, which matched the wine much better. Raw asparagus salad (asparagus, green onion, evo, lemon juice, vinaigrette de Jerez, salt, garlic) - worked okay, wine brought out garlic and onion. Needs cheese.
However, this wine was awesome with sauteed wild USA shrimp, butterflied, cooked in bacon fat and garlic with just a splash of lemon juice. Such a simple recipe, but the rewards when paired with the Pacific Rim Dry Riesling, were exponential. One of my favorite wine and food pairings of the year. And the price, so reasonable.
Strongly Recommended.
State: Washington
Region: Columbia Valley
Closure: Screw Cap
ABV: 12.5%
Sample provided by winery
SRP: $12
www.pacificrimwine.com
NICOLAS QUILLÉ - General Manager and Head Winemaker
STEVEN SEALOCK- Winemaker/Winery Manager
2. Pacific Rim J Riesling 2016. Columbia Valley Medium Sweet
Just a hint of sweetness keeps this wine interesting. It held up for several days and was also an enjoyable sipper. I've learned that this style of wine matches well with heavier, salty flavors. Much like a palate cleanser, it provides relief and contrast of flavor. I'm starting to really enjoy this style.
Color: Gold, green highlights.
Nose: Candied pineapple, papaya, note of sweetness, orange blossom. Pretty.
Palate: Medium plus intensity, pineapple, canned pear, touch of banana, tangerine skin, medium minus sweet, acid helped with balance, dry texture on tongue, snap of tartness into medium finish. Like. Balanced wine, off-dry, enjoyable sipper, perfect for food. Finish makes you want more.
Day two: Rounded, peach/nectarine, subtle orange and pineapple in background, balanced, crisp, textured on medium plus finish and wants to be enjoyed. Lovely.
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| A simple meal, drinks and eats like a feast. Wonderful flavors and textures. |
Thoughts: This wine paired best with salty/savory flavors. The BLT I made had lettuce, tomato, avocado mayo and a spicy mayo on a sliced baguette. Wow! Fantastic pairing and so simple. The pork chops also made for a wonderful pairing, lightly breaded with salt and pepper. Simple, but so very good, and the hot sauce added a fun dimension too. Spicy foods well worth consideration, think Mexican, Thai, Middle Eastern and your favorite hot sauce. Also a fun patio sipper, that's how this bottle finished. Great price too.
Strongly Recommended.
State: Washington
Region: Columbia Valley
Closure: Screw Cap
ABV: 11.5%
SRP: $12
Sample provided by winery
www.pacificrimwine.com
NICOLAS QUILLÉ - General Manager and Head Winemaker
STEVEN SEALOCK- Winemaker/Winery Manager
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| I had fun cooking, eating and pairing with Pacific Rim Rieslings. |
Sustainability Practices
- Banned hard herbicides and heavy watering
- Winery built to optimize efficiency for electrical and water usage
- Exclusively use wild yeasts — no commercial yeasts
- Since the bottle itself is responsible for 70% of a wineries carbon footprint, transitioned to Lightweight Glass
- Reduces manufacturing energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 33%
- Reduces greenhouse gasses and the impact of transportation by 24%
- Made with 75% recycled material
- Compost 100% of our pomace weight (a bi-product of grape crush)
First released by Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992, Pacific Rim Dry Riesling quickly gained a loyal following among Riesling lovers. Known for its fresh and bright characteristics, the wine was a welcome alternative to over-oaked, one-dimensional white wines. As the American palate evolved in recent years toward wines with greater complexity and crisper acidity, the popularity of Pacific Rim Dry Riesling grew.
In August of 2006, a small band of Bonny Doon expats moved to the Northwest from California with a common desire to craft the best Riesling in America... thus, Pacific Rim became its own winery.
Tremendous value in both of these wines.
Cheers!