Drink of the Week: Next Riesling 2008

Perfect for a casual cookout on a warm summer evening, the 2008 Next Riesling, a second-label wine from Willamette Valley Pinot producer King Estate, is just hitting shelves. The grapes are all sourced from the Wallula Vineyard in southwest Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA, where vines grow along the Columbia River banks and in places climb up to heights of 1,300 feet. Look for lots of bright lemon and green apple aromas with big citrus acidity on the palate to match. Letting this wine sit open at room temperature for a few minutes allows softening flavors of ripe stone fruits to round out the palate. The assertive lemon acidity and a hint of residual sugar begs to be paired with shellfish like shrimp or clams bathed in a white wine butter sauce or try it with a flaky white fish and sweet corn succotash. $12, next.kingestate.com (the 2008 will be available on the website by next week).