Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2023

Eight to twelve dollars. I want you to sit with that number for a second. For the price of a mediocre cocktail, you get a Riesling from Washington's Columbia Valley that has been the best-selling Riesling in America since before most of us were paying attention to wine. White peach, green apple, lime zest, honeysuckle. It is off-dry — maybe 1.5-2% residual sugar — but the acidity is bright enough that it does not taste sweet. It tastes balanced. It tastes like someone who knows what they are doing made a wine for people who want to enjoy their Tuesday. If someone tells you they do not like Riesling, pour them this. If someone tells you they do not like wine, pour them this. It is the universal translator. And at this price, you can buy a case and not think about it for a second.