Chateau Ste. Michelle: Washington State's Premier Wine Producer

It's when you pair a wine with an unforgettable experience that the wine becomes truly remarkable. That's the reason behind Chateau Ste. Michelle's success as a winery. They've hosted stunning concerts in the amphitheater where legends like Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and John Legend have graced the stage. Coupled with their masterfully crafted wines, this Washington State winery has been creating magical moments since the 1960s.

Here at Pascale's Liquors in 7401 Oswego Road, we stock an extensive collection of Chateau Ste. Michelle wines. Stop by our store to check out their diverse portfolio, from their popular Rieslings to their rich Cabernet Sauvignons.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Offerings

What Makes Chateau Ste. Michelle's Riesling Different from German Varieties?

Chateau Ste. Michelle makes over 1.5 million cases of Riesling each year. Their Columbia Valley Riesling is 12.5% ABV, with crisp apple flavors and a hint of lime zest. The long summer days in Washington give these Rieslings more stone fruit flavors than their German cousins.

You'll find four different Riesling styles in their lineup. The Columbia Valley Dry Riesling is 12.5% ABV with a bone-dry taste and mineral notes. The Eroica Riesling (12% ABV) comes from a partnership with German winemaker Ernst Loosen - it's a mix of Old World and New World styles. If you like sweeter wines, try their Harvest Select Riesling at 10.5% ABV. It has nice honeyed peach flavors without being too sweet.

These Rieslings are great with food. Try the drier ones with Thai curries - they handle the coconut milk and match the spices really well. The sweeter bottles are perfect with sharp cheeses like aged cheddar or blue cheese. They even work with spicy Mexican food because that touch of sugar helps cool down the heat.

What Makes Cold Creek Vineyard Cabernet the Best Red?

The vines there are 45 years old and grow in rocky soil that's not very deep. This makes the grapes work harder, which leads to more concentrated flavors. The Cabernet from this vineyard is 14.5% ABV and spends 18 months in French oak barrels. You'll taste lots of black cherry and dark chocolate, plus some tobacco and cedar from the oak aging.

Their Columbia Valley Cabernet ages for 16 months in both French and American oak barrels at 13.5% ABV. This mix gives the wine vanilla and baking spice flavors while keeping the bright black fruit taste that Washington Cabs are known for. The American oak adds a touch more sweetness than French oak alone.

Put either of these wines with a good steak and you're in for a treat. The Cold Creek Cab is fantastic with a ribeye. The wine's tannins cut through the fat perfectly. The Columbia Valley version is great with beef stew or a rich pasta with meat sauce. For dessert, open a bottle with some dark chocolate truffles. The chocolate brings out interesting flavors in both wines.

Indian Wells vs Columbia Valley: Comparing the Two Takes on Chardonnay

The Indian Wells Chardonnay comes in at 14% ABV. The grapes grow in warmer vineyards, so you get ripe mango and pineapple flavors. It spends 6 months in new oak barrels, which adds butterscotch and vanilla notes. They also use malolactic fermentation, which turns sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid. This makes the wine creamy and rich.

Things change with the Columbia Valley Chardonnay (13.5% ABV). Half the wine ferments in stainless steel tanks, keeping the fresh apple and pear flavors bright and clean. The other half goes into barrels for fermentation, adding just enough complexity without going overboard on the oak flavors.

For dinner, grab the Indian Wells if you're having lobster with butter sauce or a creamy chicken pot pie. The Columbia Valley bottle works better with lighter foods. It's great with grilled fish, roast chicken, or a nice summer salad. Both wines are surprisingly good with mushroom dishes. Something about the earthy mushroom flavors really works with Chardonnay.

New in 2024: Chateau Ste. Michelle LIGHT Wines

Chateau Ste. Michelle has just launched something exciting for wine lovers watching their calories. Their new LIGHT wines come in two styles: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Both are only 80 calories per serving with zero sugar, lower carbs, and 9% ABV - perfect if you're looking for a lighter option that still tastes great.

The 2022 LIGHT Sauvignon Blanc comes from cooler Columbia Valley vineyards. It's bright and refreshing with plenty of citrus and tropical flavors. The 2022 LIGHT Chardonnay uses grapes from the Horse Heaven Hills area. It's made in a fresh, gentle style with just a touch of oak, showing nice lemon, apple, and ripe apricot flavors.

What makes these wines special is how they're made. Washington's unique growing conditions let the grapes develop full flavors even at lower sugar levels. This means the winemakers can create these lower-alcohol wines naturally, keeping all the taste you expect from Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Find Your Perfect Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine at Pascale's

Riesling Collection

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

This crowd-pleasing Riesling balances crisp apple flavors with zesty lime notes at 12% ABV. Perfect for Thai takeout nights or when friends drop by for cheese and crackers. The hint of sweetness makes it especially food-friendly, working beautifully with spicy dishes or sharp cheeses.

Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling

For those who prefer their wines crisp and bone-dry, this 12.5% ABV Riesling delivers refreshing mineral notes and bright citrus flavors. No sweetness here - just pure, clean taste that pairs wonderfully with seafood or spicy Thai curries. Let it warm slightly from fridge temperature to experience its full flavor profile.

Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc

Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay

A beautifully balanced Chardonnay at 13.5% ABV that shows the best of both worlds. Half fermented in stainless steel for fresh apple and pear notes, half in oak for subtle complexity. Perfect with roast chicken or grilled fish, this wine really shines when served just slightly chilled. Great for dinner parties or casual weeknight meals.

LIGHT Sauvignon Blanc (Zero Sugar)

This mindful option offers bright citrus and tropical flavors at just 80 calories per glass with zero sugar and 9% ABV. Perfect for brunches or pool-side sipping when you want something lighter but don't want to compromise on taste.

Other Delightful Whites & Rosé

Columbia Valley Gewürztraminer

An aromatic white wine bursting with lychee and rose petal notes at 12% ABV. This off-dry wine shines with Asian cuisine or spicy foods. Serve slightly chilled to enhance its distinctive floral character and subtle spice notes.

Columbia Valley Rosé

A fresh, vibrant rosé that brings strawberry and watermelon flavors to your glass at 13% ABV. Ideal for summer afternoons on the patio or pairing with light pasta dishes. Serve chilled but not ice-cold to let those delicate fruit flavors shine through.

What to Expect at Chateau Ste. Michelle's Summer Concert Series?

The winery's amphitheater in Woodinville can hold 4,300 people on its lawn. They've been doing concerts there since 1984, and the lineup is always impressive. James Taylor has played on that stage. So have John Legend, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Dylan. The concerts run from June through September, with shows most weekends.

People bring blankets and low chairs to set up on the lawn. The winery sells all their wines during shows, by glass or bottle. Sometimes they do fun wine and music pairings. During jazz nights, they'll pour their Indian Wells red blend because its bold flavors match up with the music's intensity.

The stage looks west, so you get sunset views during shows. Concerts usually start at 7 PM. You can make it extra special by coming early for a tasting. Their tasting room is right next to the concert venue. They pour their reserve wines there too. You can't find those in stores, so it's worth trying them before the show starts.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Series: Wines You Won't Find in Most Stores

The Artist Series red blend only comes out in good years. They use mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, usually about 70%, and mix in other Bordeaux grapes. Each bottle is 14.5% ABV and stays in French oak for 22 months. Every year, they get different artists from the Pacific Northwest to create the label art.

The Ethos Reserve wines are their top shelf bottles. The Ethos Cabernet packs 14.8% ABV and comes from their best vineyard spots. It ages for 22 months in brand new French oak barrels. They only make about 2,000 cases each year. Want something even harder to find? Try the Ethos Syrah at 14.9% ABV. They make just 800 cases a year. It's packed with pepper and dark fruit flavors.

They also make Col Solare with an Italian winemaker called Antinori. It's a fancy red blend made at its own winery on Red Mountain. The mix changes year to year but Cabernet is always the main grape. Recent bottles have been around 14.5% ABV. After 22 months in French oak, they end up with about 10,000 cases. It costs more (usually over $75), but it's meant to compete with the expensive Napa Valley wines.

How Temperature Changes Chateau Ste. Michelle Wines

Most people drink their whites too cold and their reds too warm. For Chateau Ste. Michelle's Riesling and Chardonnay, take them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before drinking. This brings them to around 45-50°F, where you'll actually taste all the flavors. If they're too cold, you'll miss out on the fruit notes.

The reds need different treatment. The Columbia Valley Cabernet shows best at about 65°F. That's a bit cooler than room temperature. The Cold Creek Cab and Artist Series need similar treatment. Pop them in the fridge for 20 minutes before opening, and you'll notice the flavors become clearer. Too warm, and the alcohol takes over. Too cold, and the tannins can taste harsh.

Yes, The Right Glass Makes a Difference.

For Riesling, use a smaller white wine glass. The narrower opening concentrates those floral and fruit aromas. The Chardonnay wants a bigger white wine glass, especially the Indian Wells. That extra space lets you smell the oak and vanilla notes better.

The Cabernets need room to breathe. Large red wine glasses with plenty of space work best. You want to be able to swirl without spilling. This lets the wine take in air and open up. The Cold Creek Cab especially needs this. Give it an hour in the glass, and you'll notice new flavors appearing.

When to Drink Chateau Ste. Michelle Wines?

Most Chateau Ste. Michelle whites are ready to drink when you buy them. The Rieslings can actually age for 5-7 years if stored properly. The Columbia Valley Chardonnay is best within 2-3 years, but the Indian Wells can go longer.

The reds have different timelines. The Columbia Valley Cab drinks well young but can age 7-10 years. The Cold Creek and Artist Series get better with age. They peak around 10-15 years after the vintage date. Col Solare can go even longer, up to 20 years in a good vintage.

Getting Your Hands on Chateau Ste. Michelle Wines in Liverpool

Here at Pascale's Liquors, we keep a solid stock of Chateau Ste. Michelle wines. You'll always find their Columbia Valley Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet on our shelves. We also bring in the Indian Wells and Cold Creek bottles regularly. Looking for their limited releases? Give us a call at 315-701-0781, and we'll help you track them down.

Drop by our store at 7401 Oswego Road in Liverpool to check out our selection. We've got staff who know these wines well and can help you pick the right bottle for any occasion. Can't make it to the store? Visit www.pascalesliquor.com to see what's in stock, or email us at pascalesexperience@gmail.com with any questions.