Eroica: Celebrating 25 Years of New World Riesling Excellence

Celebrating 25 Years of New World Riesling Excellence

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Eroica, a groundbreaking Riesling that has redefined what’s possible with this noble grape. A result of a unique collaboration between Château Ste. Michelle of Washington State and Germany’s esteemed Dr. Loosen estate, Eroica is a testament to the harmonious blending of Old World tradition and New World innovation.

The Genesis of a Groundbreaking Partnership

Eroica’s journey began when Ernst Loosen, proprietor of the Dr. Loosen estate, discovered the exceptional quality of Washington Riesling through Château Ste. Michelle’s Cold Creek Vineyard. Impressed by the potential of Washington’s unique growing conditions, Loosen proposed a partnership to create a Riesling that combined Old World expertise with New World innovation. Joining him in this groundbreaking venture is Katie Nelson, the Vice President of Winemaking for Château Ste. Michelle. Nelson is one of the most accomplished and respected winemakers in Washington State, with over two decades of experience crafting exceptional wines that showcase the region’s unique terroir. Together, Loosen and Nelson have led Eroica to become a bold and harmonious fusion of winemaking traditions.

In the 25 years that followed, Eroica has become a benchmark for excellence, showcasing the best of both Washington State’s distinct terroir and the centuries-old winemaking heritage of the Mosel Valley. From vineyard management to the final blend, the Eroica team meticulously oversees every aspect of production, ensuring each bottle embodies the highest standards of quality.

Washington State: A Unique Home for Riesling

Washington State’s Columbia Valley, with its dry, desert-like conditions, offers an ideal environment for Riesling. The warm days allow the grapes to develop rich fruit flavors, while the cool nights preserve the crisp acidity essential to high-quality Riesling. This dynamic climate enables Eroica to produce wines with vibrant fruit character and remarkable balance, earning acclaim from casual wine lovers and critics alike.

Château Ste. Michelle, a pioneer of Riesling in Washington, planted the state’s first Riesling vines in the Yakima Valley in 1965. Today, Washington is the largest producer of Riesling in North America, with Château Ste. Michelle’s Columbia Valley Riesling being the number-one-selling American Riesling. With over 50 years of experience, Château Ste. Michelle has mastered the art of crafting wines made from this versatile and elegant grape, offering a diverse portfolio that ranges from dry to sweet wines.

​​“The climate and soils of Washington are different from Germany, but we had Riesling in common. I was interested in exploring what could be done with the variety in such a different environment. We’ve never tried to make a “German” Riesling, but have been experimenting and trying new things to find out what works best for Riesling in Washington. I love discovering new things, so it’s been quite interesting as we’ve learned to get a finer expression of the climate and soil into the wines.” – Ernst Loosen

Eroica: A Legacy of Excellence

Over the past 25 years, Eroica Riesling has earned widespread acclaim, consistently receiving 90+ scores from leading wine publications. Recent highlights include the 2022 and 2020 Eroica Rieslings, both earning 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2021 vintage, which received 91 points. The 2020 Eroica XLC Dry Riesling, with its extended lees contact that adds complexity and depth, was especially praised with 93 points, reflecting Eroica’s dedication to quality and innovation.

Renowned for its aging potential, Riesling often improves in the bottle longer than most wines due to its naturally low pH, high acidity, and mineral characteristics. Eroica’s Rieslings can age beautifully, making them ideal for both immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring. This is especially true for dessert-style Rieslings, which can age up to 100 years.

The Eroica portfolio extends beyond the flagship Riesling to include Eroica XLC (Extended Lees Contact), Eroica Ice Wine, and the ultra-premium Eroica Single Berry Select. Eroica XLC, aged on full lees for 12 months, draws inspiration from traditional German winemaking techniques, offering enhanced complexity and texture. The Single Berry Select, a rare Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) style wine, is one of the few of its kind in North America and earned a perfect 100 points from Wine & Spirits Magazine for the 2012 vintage, marking it as the highest-rated Washington white wine.

Eroica Rieslings are also celebrated for their incredible versatility with food. Their refreshing acidity, lower alcohol, and slight sweetness make them a perfect match for a variety of dishes, from fresh fruit and mild cheeses to seafood and spicy cuisines like Thai and Indian. This adaptability enhances dining experiences from casual meals to special occasions, making Eroica a go-to choice for those seeking a food-friendly wine with exceptional aging potential and consistent excellence.

Celebrating Eroica’s 25th Anniversary

Eroica continues to set the standard for New World Riesling. Its milestone anniversary is a moment to reflect on the success of the partnership between Château Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen, honoring the dedication and innovation that have made Eroica a leader in its class. Whether you’re enjoying the classic Eroica Riesling, the richly layered Eroica XLC or the decadent Single Berry Select, you’re partaking in a quarter-century legacy of passion and craftsmanship.

Eroica’s 25th anniversary also highlights the diverse styles within its portfolio, from dry to sweet. As we celebrate this achievement, consider incorporating Eroica’s Rieslings into your holiday festivities. For the holiday season, Eroica Riesling makes a fantastic pairing with roasted turkey and glazed ham, two classic holiday dishes. The wine’s bright acidity and fruity notes of peach, apricot, and citrus balance the richness of the meat and cut through the savory, caramelized flavors of the glaze. Its slight sweetness complements cranberry sauce, bringing out the fruity elements of the dish, while the wine’s mineral undertones enhance the earthy, herbal flavors often found in holiday stuffing or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts.

Here’s to 25 years of Eroica and to many more inspiring vintages to come.

The post Eroica: Celebrating 25 Years of New World Riesling Excellence appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.



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