Confessions of a Wine Snob

I have a confession to make. I am a red wine drinkin' white wine dissin' snob. I like reds, all of them from a jug table red to a very fine Syrah or Cabernet. It's not like I haven't tried to like whites, it's just that they seem to give me heartburn more often than not. My esphophagus puckers if I even step close to a glass of California Chardonnay. I can drink some Pinot Grigios from Italy and other Sauvignon Blancs but that's it. There's also this thing about Rieslings and Gewurtztraminer. I really would like to like them. I am German after all and Riesling and Gewurtztraminer are significant German contributions to the world of wine but I haven't found one I can drink...until last night.

Last night I was having my usual Thursday night dinner with friends and I came across a Riesling from Washington State. The wine is from Columbia Winery in Woodinville Washington. According to their web site, the wine was a result of a happy accident where a small fermentor stopped working leaving the wine at 6% sugar. The result was a naturally acidic, low alcohol wine that is crisp and well balanced. The first sip of the wine has a delightful evanescence that sparkles on the tongue, followed by a well rounded hint of apricot and pear, the fruit is lush and round. There is no doubt that this wine is sweet, but not cloyingly so. What's the best part? No heart burn and a delightful glass and hope for my white wine challenged foodie soul.

2005 Cellar Master's Riesling from Columbia Winery.

Bottling

Total Acidity ..........................7.5g/L

pH....................................................3.0

Residual Sugar...........................5.8%

Alcohol......................................10.2%

Cases Produced.......................88,000

Release Date...............February 2006

Varietal

Riesling......................................100%