WTN: Riesling, Nebbiolo, Gamay, Gewurz

[Jenise]

Went to a gig in town last night, at which they served:

2010 Willow Crest Riesling, Washington: the sight of Washington reisling always makes me groan, wondering why they bother with the grape here. But this one bucks the trend, plenty of acid (that tastes natural) with plenty of complex fruit even if I wouldn't mistake it for a German. A steal for about $8.

2005 Cavatappi Nebbiolo, Washington: brickish color showing some maturity with classic tar and roses on the nose. Lacks the depth of its Piedmontese cousins, but it's a noble effort in the European style. $27

2010 Brickhouse Gamay, Oregon: Unlike any other gamay I've ever had from Oregon, most of which were goopy and over extracted, I put my nose in the glass and instantly recognized what I was drinking. It was fresh and delicious, and not overdone in any way. The only problem is that they want $30 for it. Now if I can buy a spicier, more complex Lapierre and Foillard for that, I'm going to buy this why?

2010 Andrew Rich Gewurztraminer Eiswein: This was great. I'm not really a fan of gewurztraminer but the spice showed beautifully in this intense, balanced little wine. Great value at around $30, too (500 ml).

It just seems like they should be able to do Riesling in Washington. There have got to be some cold well drained slate like mountain sides over the east no?

There are, but they're not planted to grapes and it's likely no one thinks it's worth the money to develop them that way. All the vineyards are essentially in the warmer part of the state further south. Which IS the whole problem: if cab does well there, riesling won't. And riesling's not a popular grape with consumers. It almost surprises me that anyone grows riesling here at all.