I'm sitting here writing this column on the seventeenth straight 90-degree-plus day, glad that I have a glass of Riesling next to me to keep me refreshed.
Kitchen countertops usually vary between 24 and 26 inches in depth. Overhead cabinets in kitchens are usually between 16 and 24 inches above the base cabinet countertop. Another critical dimension of concern is the width of the product you purchase as it relates to area you have available on your countertop. Of course, if you have some extra floor space but no countertop space, your small space-saving wine cooler can be placed on a small table. Again, the dimensions of the wine cooler you purchase are still critical to consider.You may be surprised to read that riesling was one of the first varieties grown in Washington, and still is one of the state's favorite wines. St. Michelle Wine Estates is the dominant player in the Washington wine industry. And the company has been in the forefront in establishing Riesling as the state's premier white wine grape. And with Chateau St. Michelle, Columbia Crest, and Snoqualmie wineries, it is the largest Riesling producer in the world.Not far behind St. Michelle in production and influence is Pacific Rim. The brand was created by Randall Grahm of California's Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992 using Washington fruit, and was sold to new owners who established it as its own winery in Washington in 2006. I believe the folks at Pacific Rim when they say they are passionate about Riesling, as 90 percent of their production comes from that grape. Pacific Rim makes countless bottlings, including single vineyards, an organic Riesling and the three tasted for this report: a floral, citrus, 2010 Dry; a 2010 Riesling with slightly sweet pear and apple; and a luscious 2010 Sweet that revealed tropical and peach fruit. All are a wallet-friendly $10.I truly believe that an investment in a wine cooler that fits your needs is an investment in improving your enjoyment of wine. You will need to evaluate and balance all the decision criteria. Consider the factors that are appropriate for you and then invest in a cooler that will keep your favorite wine cool and ready for you to serve.Finally, I must emphasize that numerous smaller wineries make excellent Riesling worth seeking out. Such as Seven Hills Winery, where Casey and Vicky McClellan have been making wine from their Walla Walla home since 1988. Casey crafts exceptional merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah, often considered at the top of the Washington quality ladder. He also makes excellent Riesling and Pinot Gris. I was extremely impressed with the 2009 Seven Hills Columbia Valley ($14). It was made in a refreshing low-alcohol style that is slightly sweet but bursting with juicy apple, citrus and pear with an enticing mineral note.Countertop wine coolers are normally 10 to 19 inches wide, 19 to 25 inches deep and 11 to 21 inches in height. A few �tower� type wine coolers will be 6 to 11 inches wide, 20 to 22 inches deep and 20 to 26 inches in height.Most of the countertop wine refrigerators come in classic black. Several models sport a black cabinet but will have silver, platinum or stainless steel door trim. There is a wide range of temperature controls, door handles, and shelving styles to fit any body�s needs.I think the riesling grape makes the greatest white wines in the world. Especially in Germany and Alsace, it produces aromatic wines of bracing acidity and potentially long life. Typically, fragrant, floral aromas lead into fresh green apple and stone fruit - pear, peach or apricot - and occasionally pineapple. Most intriguing, there often is a distinctive mineral component.I also enjoyed the two Snoqualmie wines I tasted. The 2010 Winemaker's Select ($10) is fairly sweet but crisp and refreshing, and bursting with pear and apricot fruit. Snoqualmie has distinguished itself as a leader in sustainable farming and winemaking in Washington. The 2009 "Naked" Columbia Valley ($12) is made with certified organically grown grapes in a certified organic facility. Its bright, off-dry apricot fruit is offset by mineral and spice.FIRST, you need to decide what your wine storage objective is. How much wine do you want to store? What kinds of wine do you want to have on hand? How long do you plan to store it? Wine coolers are available that can store from a few bottles to hundreds of bottles. If you plan to store a mix of red and white wines, a dual-zone wine cooler would be a good choice; different wines should be stored at their optimum temperature. The best place to store your wine undisturbed until it reaches it best age is a wine cooler.For more information see: http://idealwinecoolers.com
Rich Mauro has been writing about wine since 1995. He is a policy analyst for the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Reach him at rich@rmpeoplespalate.com or 30 S. Prospect St., Colorado Springs 80903.
Author: Rich Mauro
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