Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling Review
A festive splash of cranberry ginger ale and a generous, unmeasured pour of vodka create a stunningly disappointing drink. It’s a drink that says, “Hey, World! I’ve stumbled upon the secret formula for Robitussin cough syrup! It’s waaay easier to create than it should be, so we’re in luck.”
After pouring this drink down the drain, I searched for ways to get rid of the taste. Fortunately, the Macy’s Parade finally put Dolly Parton on, and that’s when I decided to Dosey-Doe that medicine taste away. (“Ohh! Dolly Parton,” I shouted. “I looove Dolly Parton. I love her dress and her hair and her entire Christmasy set on TV! Oh!”) So, I grabbed my son Alex and we did the Dosey Doe dance to “Holly Jolly Christmas,” while my husband Nate stood off in the corner with a beer and watched us, expressionless. As I twirled about the room, I thought to myself, “Hmmmm. This is how an Awkward Family Photo tradition starts. Right here. This. Just this.” And I closed my eyes and willed that moment to stick in my mind, and now it will always be there.
Once that was all over, we got serious and set the table, mostly because the turkey was about done. That’s when Nate brought out the “secret stash:” a bottle of Riesling that he’d hidden in the pantry behind the vodka. It was a Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling: Columbia Valley. And I’m so incredibly happy to report that this Riesling did NOT taste like Robitussin. It’s smooth, clean, and buttery. It’s crisp linens on the table—a cool fall breeze—the promise that the Dosey Doe days are not over—and that someone in the family (Nate) is saving the good stuff back for small special occasions, for the things we look forward to together—for the walks outside in the neighborhood and the blessing of another day.
Cecilia Kennedy once taught Spanish and English courses in Ohio for many years. She now lives in the Greater Seattle area, and writes horror stories. Her blog (Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks: https://fixinleaksnleeksdiy.blog/) chronicles her humorous (and perhaps scary?) attempts at cooking and home repair.