Eroica Riesling

Columbia Valley, USA

The celebrated collaboration between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen in the Mosel, launched with the 1999 vintage. Loosen's philosophy — low-intervention riesling designed for long ageing from a cool continental climate — applied to Columbia Valley fruit produces a wine of off-dry precision: apple, peach, and lime aromas with the characteristic Washington natural acidity providing Mosel-like tension. One of America's most famous white wine collaborations, and still the best-known PNW riesling internationally.

Pairing intelligence

• aperitif: Dry Riesling with oysters is the single most compelling mineral-to-mineral pairing. The wine's slate and petrol notes echo the mineral, iodine character of fresh oysters. High acidity lifts the natural salinity rather than fighting it. The citrus note cleanses the palate between oysters. An aperitif and starter pairing of exceptional precision.
• cheese: Fresh chèvre and off-dry Riesling is a classic Alsatian pairing transposed to Pacific Northwest ingredients. The wine's acidity matches the cheese's lactic tang; the off-dry sweetness echoes the honey; the mineral slate note bridges with the goat cheese's mineral, tangy character. A cheese course pairing of complete harmony and classical validation.
• starter: Gravlax and dry Riesling is a Scandinavian tradition: citrus acid cuts through curing salt and cream; dill bridges the Riesling's herbal character.
• fish course: Eroica's Columbia Valley Riesling — with its distinctive Mosel-meets-Washington tension — bridges the delicate dashi umami while the yuzu echoes the wine's citrus and the ginger amplifies its spice character.
• main: The acidity of Eroica cleanses each piece of nigiri before the next. The wine's mineral character mirrors the clean oceanic flavour of premium fish without fat competition. Dry Riesling's citrus note bridges ponzu-style soy preparations.