Riesling: Finally appreciated

At last, Americans seem to be realizing that not all Rieslings are sweet, said Fred Tasker in The Miami Herald. “One of the world’s noblest grapes,” Riesling is capable of producing wines that are bone dry, but drinkers here never recognized its range. That’s changed: In the past year, U.S. sales of Riesling grew 24 percent. It’s great news for Washington state’s Chateau Ste. Michelle, which has made Riesling for 40 years. The three below suggest the vineyard’s range:

2010 Dry Riesling ($9). You’ll detect no sweetness but rather a “crisp peach flavor,” a hint of minerals, and the “aroma of camellias.”

2010 Riesling ($9). This mildly sweet but “very crisp” wine is great for drinking by itself.

2010 Harvest Select Riesling ($9). This sweet Riesling is highly recommended, especially paired with fruit or strong cheeses. It delivers bold flavors of ripe peach and nectarine, plus an “almost viscous mouthfeel.”