WIDWD: Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling Columbia Valley
What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD)
With teriyaki chicken thighs on the grill and chow mien noodles (with egg, shaved carrots and green onions) sautéing on the stove last night, I opened a bottle of Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling Columbia Valley to pair with our spicy Asian meal. Not only did this wine complement our food, but it just about stole the show, as I enjoyed it so much.
I absolutely love this wine and can't wait to have another glass tonight. It has a beautiful, floral bouquet and the initial taste brings to mind fresh, summer peaches. The crisp acidity and ever-so-slight residual sugar make this a wonderful complement to any Asian food, especially anything with a kick of spice in it. On this cold, grey Fall day, it was the perfect wine to remind me of warm, sunny Summer days.
The '05 Woodward Canyon Riesling (13.7% alcohol) is a terrific example of what happens when you combine quality fruit with quality winemaking. The winemakers at Woodward Canyon, Rick Small and Kevin Mott, have done an outstanding job crafting this dry White Riesling (aka Johannisberg Riesling) from grapes grown by Hugh and Kathy Shields of DuBrul Vineyard, which is located in the Yakima Valley north of Sunnyside, WA.
Drinking this wine last night with dinner reminded me how much I enjoyed visiting Woodward Canyon's tasting room last spring. I purchased the '05 for $25 during that visit, having been captivated by not only the taste, but also the stories shared that day. I only wish the bottle's back label told more about the who, what and where of this wine, but their web site does a good job filling in the details.
Although the '06 Woodward Canyon Dry White Riesling has been released, I am a bit concerned with that vintage being higher in alcohol (14.2%). One of the things I enjoyed about the '05 was the lower alcohol, which not only provided more balance in my glass, but also on my feet. Hopefully, there is a wine merchant nearby with the '05 still in stock. If you find any in the Seattle area, please let me know by leaving a comment.
