# Late Harvest Riesling (2024)

- **Producer:** Washington Hills
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Riesling
- **Region:** Washington, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 10.0%
- **Average price:** €10
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 6–9 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lime, peach, apricot, nectarine, melon, blossom, orange

## About this wine

Established in the late 1980s, Washington Hills has earned a strong reputation for crafting approachable, value-driven wines in Washington State's Columbia Valley AVA. Operating under Precept Wine with Director of Winemaking Hal Landvoigt at the helm, the brand is widely recognized by its distinctive blue hock bottle shape. Sourced from choice vineyard blocks across the region, Washington Hills focuses on showcasing the clear varietal character and bright natural acidity that Columbia Valley viticulture offers.

## Interesting facts

- Packaged in an eye-catching cobalt blue hock bottle, making it easily recognizable.
- The grapes are harvested late in October to allow maximum natural sugar accumulation on the vine.
- Consistently recognized as a Best Buy value wine by major regional and national publications.

## Food pairing

Vibrant residual sweetness offsets capsaicin heat in spicy dishes, while intense upfront acidity cuts through rich cheeses and sweet desserts, maintaining balance without feeling heavy.

## Wine making process

The grapes for this late harvest wine remain on the vine until late October, allowing natural sugars to concentrate while maintaining crisp acidity. Harvested grapes undergo cool, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve fresh, aromatic fruit profiles. Fermentation is halted before completion to retain natural residual sugar, achieving a balanced sweetness of around 70 g/L alongside a modest 10% ABV. The wine is aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks and bottled with a screw cap closure.