Firesteed Riesling 2012
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Bone dry and replete with skin flavors of pear and grapefruit pith, this is perfect for those who want to keep their alcohol consumption down without turning to a sweeter style of wine. Try it with grilled sausages and sauerkraut.
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Firesteed Cellars was founded in 1992 by industry veteran Howard Rossbach. Firesteed opened its official winery and tasting room off the beaten path in Rickreall, Oregon in 2002, where production remains to this day. In 2006, Firesteed established its estate vineyard, Erratic Oaks, which is certified Salmon Safe.
Since its founding, the mission of Firesteed has been to create wines that represent the finest expression of varietals suited to the distinctive growing regions in Oregon, most notably Pinot Noir.
In addition to Pinot Noir, Firesteed is highly regarded for its Pinot Gris and Riesling and has recently released its first-ever series of AVA-specific Pinot Noirs from Dundee Hills and Yamhill Carlton, as well as a vineyard designate Pinot Noir from its estate vineyard, Erratic Oaks. Firesteed also produces a repertoire of limited-production wines including a Rosé of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
Home to some of America’s most celebrated Pinot Noir, Oregon maintains a tight focus on small production, high quality wine even while the state’s industry enjoys steady growth. As a world-renowned wine region, Oregon has more than 700 wineries and is home to well over 70 grape varieties. With a mostly Mediterranean climate, its cooler and wetter regions lie in the west, close to the Pacific Coast.
By far the most reputed Oregon wine region is the Willamette Valley, which is further subdivided into six smaller appellations: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton.
The Oregon wine region's most obvious success story is with Pinot Noir, which here takes on a personality that could be described in general terms as somewhere in between the wines of California and Burgundy—and is often more affordable than either one. The best Willamette Pinot noir has a rare combination of red and black fruit, elegant balance, high acidity and rustic earth. While completely enjoyable in their youth, some of the better, single vineyard or appellation-specific Pinot noirs can often benefit from some cellar time.
Other AVAs in Oregon’s west worth noting include Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley.
In the east are Snake River Valley, which overlaps into Idaho, and Columbia Valley, which Oregon shares with Washington. Summers are hot and dry in these regions but winters are cold and rainy.
Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot blanc also grow successfully in Oregon.