My wife Bethany is an amazing cook. She is also an amazing woman, but those of you who have met her already know that. What you may not know is that she makes one hell of a Asian stir fry. Invite yourself over, and when you do bring a bottle or three of Firestone’s 2005 Vineyard Select Riesling. Featured in last week’s Wednesday Wine on the Today Show, this Riesling is a local favorite and very affordable at the easy to swallow price of a sawbuck.

The trick here is that B’s food is nice and spicy, a blend of great hot wok oil, peppers and other goodies that I am not privy too, as is the chef’s perogative, and a high residual sugar in the Riesling. I have always been a fan of the sweet/spicy combo, at times pairing a hi-end White Zinfandel with some blackened catfish. (more on that later in the season). Firestone has found a great balance of the sweetness you expect in a Riesling paired with notes of tropical fruits, peaches and a drip or two of honey.

Located in Santa Barbara, Firestone Vineyards has the opportunity to take advantage of the Central Coast’s cool mornings, fog covered evening and a great many sunny days to bring these grapes to harvest ready. Be sure to visit them on your next wine tour, and join the wine club. With that you get an invitation to the Cellar Family Picnic, one of the top family parties on the coast!