Winesday: Firestone Riesling (2009)

My love affair with wine began years ago and intensified when I first moved to Washington, DC. You see, Virginia is a major wine region in this country. Many wine festivals are held throughout DC/Virginia each year. Friends of mine would all drive out to some of them for the day. It was such fun but I also learned so much about wine making, the process, and the science behind making a great bottle of wine. Mr. Pickles and I head to Virginia wine country about once a year. It is one of our favorite places to be.

I visit a vineyard just about every time I am away on vacation. I have been to Sonoma County, the Virginia region known for wine making between Charlottesville and Floyd, Eastern Long Island's North Fork, Tuscany, and this past fall I went to California's central coast which is in the same region as Santa Barbara. That is why I am writing about Firestone's Riesling.

I was out in California for two weeks on business. I got a bit lonely on the trip but saw some amazingly beautiful parts of the west coast. I ended one Friday in Santa Barbara (which is a place I fell head over heels in love with) and didn't have any work engagements the next day. So, what's a girl to do while she's flying solo in the central coast region? If that girl is Mrs. Pickles the only answer is this: drive to wine country, stop at vineyards, do tastings, purchase wines. There's something about driving down country roads and being surrounded by grape vine covered hills that puts me in the most happy and peaceful states of mind. I researched several vineyards and chose to take a forty minute drive east heading over the canyon into the town of Los Olivos. The ride from Santa Barbara over the canyon was gorgeous in itself, with the Pacific glistening in the sun way off in the distance. It only got better when I entered to adorable town of Los Olivos with its numerous wine shops, restaurants, and local art galleries. I can't wait to return with Mr. Pickles sometime.

I think I like wine so much because of the experience. Seeing the viscosity of the wine, translating that to the percentage of residual sugars in the wine, and then recognizing the top notes of the wine itself. It really is an activity that engages all of your senses. Mr. Pickles and I have made this a huge hobby of ours, and we have wines from every place we have visited.

I must be honest: I headed to Firestone Vineyard only because Andrew Firestone was my favorite on the "The Bachelor." I knew about their fabulous reds, which are widely known and easy to find in stores all over. When I entered the tasting room I must admit that I had never tried a white wine of theirs, and I am not fond of most Rieslings. Rieslings tend to be sweet, unless they are noted as dry on the bottle. Sweet wines are not my forte. I am a fan dry Rieslings, however, which have been introduced onto the wine scene just recently. I almost didn't try this particular wine, but the sommelier serving me insisted that I try it.

The 2009 Firestone Riesling is a semi dry one, and although there are slight sugars they aren't overpowering. This Riesling had a huge honeysuckle nose which translated beautifully on the tongue. It has a slight citrus taste with wonderful melon notes. It was different than other Rieslings I had tried, and I was blown away by the floral components of this wine. And the best part? This bottle is easy to find in many liquor stores. It is also sold for under $14 typically.

Serve this wine with spicy foods like Chinese dishes, sausage, and seafood. It is best served well chilled. 2009 Firestone Riesling earned 89 from Wine Enthusiast. And FYI- don't drink and drive. Mrs. P. was very careful not to taste more than a slight sip of each wine while she was driving around Los Olivos. Be careful out there. Hiring a driver while in wine country is a great idea, too!