In today's Pacific Northwest magazine, Paul Gregutt offers recommendations for three mixed cases of wine, one of which is comprised of rieslings from Washington and Oregon.

It appears Gregutt has developed a certain fondness for Oregon riesling just as I have over the past year. Here is an excerpt from Gregutt's introduction to his mixed case of Pacific Northwest riesling:

Washington has reclaimed riesling as a signature grape, but it also thrives up and down the coast. These days, I am especially fond of Oregon rieslings, which are widely available at winery tasting rooms, but not always brought up to Washington.

I too share in Gregutt's praise for Oregon rieslings, for I have found Willamette Valley fruit to show brighter acidity, lighter texture, and more floral characteristics relative to its peers to the north. Don't get me wrong - I very much enjoy Washington riesling, especially from smaller producers (e.g., Trust, Dunham, Woodward Canyon), who are crafting some very nice wines.

Thanks to Gregutt's recommendations, I have a lot more Washington and Oregon rieslings to seek out and enjoy at my table in the coming months.