What Kind of Wine Is Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling?
Pacific Rim is a refreshing dessert wine. It is a one-hundred percent single Riesling varietal from the Columbia Valley in Washington. It begins with aromas of orange blossom and ripe stone fruit as sweet exotics follow on the palate. Its acidity is vibrant, while a note of Mandarin orange lingers on the finish
Washington State is a wine-making region faithful to creating single varietal wines. Columbia Valley benefits from long daylight hours and consistent summer temperatures. The grapes attain optimal ripeness during sunny days, and the cool nights encourage them to maintain natural acidity levels. In this way, wines with a certain level of richness but crisp acidity are possible. Consequently, Pacific Rim is a bright example of East Coast wine-making, as it combines Washington summertime temperatures with the piercing coldness of the region.
Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Review
- Winery — Pacific Rim
- Country/Region — United States, Washington, Columbia Valley
- Type — Sweet Wine From Washington
- Aroma — Pear, Apple, Peach, Apricot, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Orange Blossom, Flint
- Grapes — Riesling
- Taste — Pineapple, Mango, Melon, Banana, Strawberry, Grapefruit, Mandarin Orange, Lemon Zest
- Alcohol Content — 8.5%
- Sugar — Sweet
- Pairing — Fried Chicken, Grilled Salmon, Spicy Mexican, Caribbean, Carrot Cake, Greek Orange Pie
Pacific Rim is a sweet Riesling from Washington State. As fragrances of stone fruit and flavors of exotics define the palate, the wine’s fresh, invigorating acidity offsets the ripeness. Delicious and creamy, Pacific Rim offers an unprecedented and immersive drinking experience. And it combines the best of its varietal with exceptional East Coast wine-making. The result: A powerful and delightful Riesling, full of elegance and richness.
Tasting Notes
First off, Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling wine has a pale lemon color. Then, as soon as it closes in the nose, aromas of jasmine, orange blossom, and ripe peach emerge. In the mouth, sweet flavors of pineapple and mango combined with honey and lime commence a crazy dance. A Mandarin orange note lingers on the finish, while a lively acidity offsets the overall ripeness. As a consequence, Pacific Rim has endless layers of deliciousness.
Appearance
Pacific Rim has a captivating appearance. It starts with a soft lemon color. The center is semi-opaque and opens near the rim to a golden hue as the wine stays in the glass. And the legs are long and watery. Pacific Rim ensures that the attention of wine enthusiasts will not drift off.
Aroma
Pacific Rim opens with green and stone fruit fragrances. Aromas of pear, apple, and peach, emerge as the bottle uncorks. Notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossom surface after a few swirls, adding floral tones. The aromatic profile is completed with minerals touches, like flint, counterbalancing the sweetness. So, I challenge you to have a taste of Pacific Rim. Once tried, leaving the bottle and walking away will not be an option. Yes, the aromas are that enchanting.
Taste
As expected, Pacific Rim is full-bodied, jammy, and creamy. It is lusciously sweet in the mouth with an abundance of exotic and stone fruit flavors. Pineapple, mango, and melon dominate the palate as the buttery character takes over. Gentle notes of banana and lemon zest appear as well, contributing to this profoundly exotic bouquet. Pacific Rim’s jamminess is super pleasing. It proves that the Riesling varietal can make wines that are as creamy as they are crisp and steely.
Finish
Pacific Rim has a lingering finish that maintains the structural characteristics of the Riesling varietal. It is smooth, but with the fruitiness previously experienced on the nose and mouth remaining present throughout. Notes of Mandarin orange and tangy lime combine with a vibrant acidity that offsets the ripeness. As a consequence, Pacific Rim has an aromatic, refreshing, and comforting finish.
Rating
Pacific Rim is a compelling Washington state sweet Riesling. It has a tremendously jammy character, and due to its lively acidity, it remains well-balanced and enjoyable. Pacific Rim showcases a distinctive richness in ripe stone and exotic fruit flavors in perfect harmony with floral fragrances. Additionally, as an excellent dessert wine it pairs well with many cuisines.
Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Food Pairing
The wine pairs well with a variety of foods and cuisines, from spicy Mexican to Caribbean courses. A hearty Caribbean Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice) or some tacos complement the wine’s sweetness and fruitiness. Furthermore, Pacific Rim matches nicely with fried chicken. Generally, sweet wines seem to make a delicious combination with fried food.
But if there is one way to appreciate its jamminess, that is by having a glass of Pacific Rim after a mouthful of a syrupy dessert. Sweet wines pair incredibly with foods with high sugar concentration. Therefore, traditional Greek orange pie or a creamy carrot cake make fantastic pairing options. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Makes Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling?
Banfi Vintners, based in Columbia Valley, Washington, produces Pacific Rim. Founded in New York in 1919, Banfi Vintners is focused on the production and import of wine. Today the company is led by Christina Mariani-May, who is president and CEO. The company is the sole American importer of the Mariani family wine estates in Italy. On top of that, Banfi Vintners have domestic properties in Oregon and Washington. And they are also an importer of organic wines from Chile.
How Is Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Made?
Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling is made by following the standard white wine fermentation method. During harvest, the Riesling grapes are picked early to retain their acidic nature. Then, they are pressured and crushed to release their juice. Afterward, this juice is placed into stainless steel tanks to preserve fresh fruit flavors and undergo alcoholic fermentation. When the residual sugar is about 7%, fermentation stops, and the wine is clarified to maintain as much freshness and fruitiness as possible. A fair amount of natural carbon dioxide is left to create refreshing acidity and a lively sensation on the palate.
Where Is Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Made?
Pacific Rim is crafted from the Riesling varietal in Columbia Valley, Washington. The region has an ideal climate and soils for growing Rieslings. Columbia Valley lies east of the Cascade Mountains in the valleys of the Columbia River. Within this area are the smaller but significant Yakima Valley and Walla Walla. The Columbia Valley is in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, making river irrigation a necessity. Daylight hours and consistent summer temperatures are an advantage of the region too. The grapes attain optimal ripeness due to the sunny days, while the cool nights help them sustain natural levels of acidity. The most serious challenge is the winter freeze as it can reduce crop volumes by half.
How to Serve Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling?
Pacific Rim should be served in standard-sized white wine glasses. The large surface of the glass provides aeration to the wine. As the air comes into contact with the wine surface, the flavor intensity of Pacific Rim surfaces. On top of that, the wine has to be served well-chilled at forty-three to forty-five degrees Fahrenheit (six to eight degrees Celsius). One hour before serving, take the bottle, wrap it in a wet paper towel, and place it inside the fridge. Then, get ready to experience its mellow fruit flavors, creamy body, and refreshing acidity.
How Much Does Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Cost?
Pacific Rim is affordable and, therefore, wine enthusiasts can purchase it without significant cost-considerations. Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling price ranges from $9 to $13 per 750ml bottle, depending on vintage and vendor. As a consequence, everyone can appreciate its juicy nature. If you desire a sweet wine that can accompany a wide variety of foods or enjoy straight up, Pacific Rim is a prime choice. It is the perfect everyday drink. So, please, do not miss out on this opportunity!
How Long Does Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Last?
Since Pacific Rim is a sweet Riesling with a high sugar concentration, it is suitable for bottle aging. In fact, Riesling is one of the most long-lived white wines, renowned for its ability to mature for years and sometimes decades in the bottle and still taste surprisingly fresh. When mature, Rieslings develop flavors of honey and toast but still retain crisp acidity.
Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling should be sealed with a cork and stored in a calm environment with temperatures (fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit or ten to fifteen degrees Celsius) that do not fluctuate and a small level of humidity. Direct sunlight or artificial light is not beneficial as it will damage the wine by messing around with its yeasts, responsible for a successful maturation. The environment should be odor-free as odors find their way inside the bottle and affect the wine’s quality by giving it unpleasant flavors. Lastly, Pacific Rim can age for a decade or more without losing its fruitiness and refreshing acidity. That said, I would not recommend storing it for over fifteen years. It is a fruit-forward Riesling from Washington State. It is not from the Mosel in Germany, where super complicated Rieslings wines are made.
How Many Calories Does Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling Have?
Pacific Rim has the standard calorie density of white wines. But due to the high residual sugar concentration, it is not a very suitable dietary option. There are about 25 calories in 1 fluid ounce of the beverage, equating to a total of 125 calories per serving. The calorie breakdown is 0g fats, 10g sodium, 4g total carbohydrate, 0g protein, and 7.5g total sugars. As such, Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling calories need monitoring if you follow a low-sugar diet. Additionally, Pacific Rim Sweet Riesling alcohol content sits at 8,5% per 750ml bottle, a regular alcohol concentration for a sweet wine.
Conclusion
Pacific Rim is a sweet Riesling from Washington State. As fragrances of stone fruit and flavors of exotics define the palate, the wine’s fresh, invigorating acidity offsets the ripeness. Delicious and creamy, Pacific Rim offers an unprecedented and immersive drinking experience. And it combines the best of its varietal with exceptional East Coast wine-making. The result: A powerful and delightful Riesling, full of elegance and richness.
