"WashingtonStateWineries" news and stories

When you think of Riesling, is sweet the first thing to come to mind? If so, you've probably been drinking the German variety. Sample a Riesling from Washington state for a wine that's less sweet and more honeyed and balanced, with fresh tropical-fruit notes. These West Coast stunners are best drunk young, ideally within two years of their release.

Asian food makes the best match for a Washington Riesling -- sushi, Thai curries or pan-fried/baked fish dressed with a sweet and spicy sauce. For Italian food, stick to a creamy sauce ladled over pasta -- the Riesling's crispness plays well with the sauce's richness.

Here are five stellar Washington Rieslings we highly recommend.

2008 Z'Ivo Riesling, Columbia Valley ($20)
Among this group of five, the Z'lvo had the most texture, its complex layers of fruit and honey overlapping into a palate that's ripe with peach and nectarine, and bursting with floral aromas.

It was a good year in the Seattle Times test kitchens. They cooked up hundreds of delicious recipes and got to quaff some sultry Washington wines. All the while trying to decide, caffeine, is it good, is it bad? Maybe if they cut back on the gewürtraminer...

• June, August and September were the favorite months for new recipes, and the editors picked out Curry Chicken Burger with Carrot Salad, Alaskan Salmon with Warm Blackberry and Shallot Compote, Roasted Kohlrabi with Garlic and Parmesan and Three Berry Crisp with Butter-Nut Crumb Topping among their faves.
• Paul Gregutt is excited: the 2005 vintage in Washington should be one of the best ever. He also can't wait to see the results of the Winegrower's Sustainable Trust, sample wines from the new Col Solare winery, or hang out at Taste Walla Walla this March.
• The Diet Detective answers questions about caffeine; you can safely consume up to 300 milligrams a day; it will interfere with your sleep cycle; but it won't sober you up.