Riesling, 2018. Pacific Oasis

Pacific Oasis comes to us from the mega wine producer, Bronco Wine Company. They are one of the largest wineries and vineyard owners in the U.S., but also import wines and partner with wineries in other states. In this case, Bronco collaborated with Pacific Oasis in Washington.

In 1976, a tasting held in France and judged by French tasters was the talk of the world when California wines were chosen ahead of the French. It made front page news everywhere. However, two years earlier a similar tasting was held that very few took notice of, but should have. It was a Riesling tasting and the winner was a wine from Washington, beating out those from Germany and Alsace. It put Washington Riesling on the world wine map.

The winemaker here is Derrick Webb who trained in California but was drawn to the uniqueness of Washington because of its long-growing season. It seems that's where Riesling flourishes. Riesling is a delicate grape that likes sunshine, but not heat. During the growing season, roughly May to October, the high latitude allows the sun to shine on the grapes long after those in California are in darkness. Also, unlike California, the temperature is cooler in Washington.

The climate allows the grapes to build sugar, but not at the expense of acid, so the balance is nothing short of perfect. That longer time on the vine brings out the lovely honeysuckle and peach components that work with an apricot pound cake or linguini with clams and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

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