East Greenwich Main Street Stroll. Please join us and other East Greenwich businesses on Thurs., June 21 from 5-8 pm for the town's Main Street Stroll. Artists and musicians will be present on Main Street, and many businesses will be open late. We look forward to seeing you at The Savory Grape for a special wine tasting and treats that evening!

Riesling (rees-ling). You actually have to put a smile on your face when you pronounce it! At this time of year, we can't think of a more noble grape variety than Riesling. You probably are thinking of the overly sweet and cloying Liebfraumilch you had years ago that was, and still is, a turn-off to you. Good Riesling is mouth watering, refreshing white wine that can be dry or on the sweeter side. It's light bodied but loaded with tangy fruity flavor, and it's quite varied because it reflects its origin and winemaker's style.

Riesling is best when it grows in a cool climate. Of course, Germany is the epicenter of great Rieslings. There they can start off amicable and simple and then have an interesting tingle of acidity through them like a live wire. This touch of acidity seduces you to crave foods that we generally eat during summer, such as spice-rubbed fish and chicken grilled. Thai spiced dishes, fresh sushi and the raw bar are all enhanced with a well-made Riesling.

While Germany may serve as the basis for defining Riesling, there are great Rieslings from all over the world. The key, of course is the cool climate. Austria and France's Alsace make the most tangy of Rieslings and offer refreshingly dry ones, while California and Australia make Rieslings with a ramped up flavor profile. Oregon 's style is to straddle the ramped up flavor of California paired with Germany's elegance.

Any of the Rieslings we have will give you a great experience but all are different from each other, much like having 8 chefs making the same sauce. So ask us if you're on the hunt for a Riesling to fit your taste profile. Sometimes the German Riesling labels, much like the French, can be confusing because they add words, by law, such as Kabinett, Spatlese, and Auslese which describe the grape's ripeness levels. Remember, they all will have a distinction from each other but all will be delightful. ask us for our staff Riesling favorites.

2004 Chateau de Segries, Tavel. This Rosé masterpiece is from one of the Cru Villages of the Cotes du Rhone, noted for rose wines. Made only from "free run juice" this is a lovely blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, and Syrah. A beautiful nose of red fruits and herbs leads into a fresh and lively palate filled with succulent, dry fruit. Medium-bodied and very elegant, this is one of which you'll always want a full glass. ($19.49)

2005 Bex Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer. This is a lovely inexpensive selection from Germany's renowned Mosel area. Low in alcohol (10.5%), it has lightly sweet-but-not-too-sweet pear, peach and pineapple flavors that make them taste drier than they are because of the nice bracing acidity that the wine encompasses. Perfect for any hot summer day or Thai and Asian cuisine. ($10.99)

2004 Zig Zag Zin, Mendocino, California. From Mendocino County, where the roads zig zag through the coastal mountains and Zinfandel is everyone's first love comes this heady multifaceted wine. When we first tasted it, we immediately detected rich blackberry and cocoa flavors. They then gave way to ripe cherry, plum raspberry flavors with a hint of vanilla. Enveloping your senses, the mouthfeel is chewy and silky. Enjoy this wine with grilled pizza, burgers, and steak or cheese fondue. ($15.99)

2003 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Many know Rodney Strong and the vineyard's history and plethora of great wines it has put forth over the years. This Cabernet is a new appellation selection, and we are thrilled to be one of the first to taste it in the area. The Alexander Valley signature is evident in this delicious Cabernet: bold fruit aromas and flavors centered on red plum and boysenberry, and a rich and mouthfilling texture with soft tannins. These flavors and aromas are all framed in the finest oak barrels for 18 months, giving it extra depth, structure and flavors. It should have ample time to breathe, so please decant. ($25.99)

2004 William Selyem Pinot Noir, California. William Selyem is a highly sought after Pinot producer because of its exceptional quality and low yield selections. The true passion of the Selyem team is exuded in its single vineyard Pinot Noirs, which are truly distinctive in style. When Selyem wines become available, a growing cult following routinely scoops them up. This Pinot is a special selection we are proud to have. ($91.99)

1999 Gaja Rennina Brunello, Italy. Among many wine collectors and lovers Gaja is one of the most sought after and prestigious wine labels across Italy and around the world. One reason for its high celebrity status is that Gaja produces its DOCG and single vineyard wines in quantities that range from a few thousand to only a mere one thousand cases. This 1999 Brunello is no exception, and a stellar selection. ($118.99)

Friday, June 22 (5 pm to 8 pm) Riesling Taste Off

• 2005 Bex Riesling, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany. Please see tasting notes above. ($10.99)

• 2006 2 Princes Riesling, Nahe, Germany. Made by the renowned Schloss Wallhausen estate, 2 Princes achieves the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity. Aromas of delicate flowers meld beautifully with the notes of apricot and nectarine on both the nose and the palate. As many Rieslings do, this serves as the perfect partner to Thai cuisine. ($12.29)

• 2005 Chateau St. Michelle Eroica Riesling. Old World meets New World in Eroica, a Riesling made by a collaboration of two of the variety's most experienced handlers. Drawing on the tradition and classic techniques of the Mosel's Dr. Loosen and Chateau St.Michelle's viticultural experience and innovation, their combined winemaking efforts crafted a wine that is focused and intense. A highly aromatic Riesling, it delivers classic mineral and slate notes and a lively, crisp acidity with juicy white peach aromas and flavors. A true staple. ($25.99)

Saturday, June 23 (3 pm to 7 pm) Great Reds for Summer Foods

• 2004 Fischer Pinot Noir, Germany. German reds are often hard to come by in the U.S. In Germany they are not, because the native Germans keep the good red wine to themselves. However some great red wine, mostly Pinot Noir, does sneak out. And hence we have Fischer Pinot Noir. Last year, we tasted this Pinot with the winemaker and its elegance blew us away. It displays lovely strawberry and raspberry notes on the palate which carry through into a lingering finish. Also because of some contact with oak barrels during fermentation there are some soft oaky, vanilla notes that add depth and structure. ($17.99)

• 2004 Zig Zag Zin, Medocino, California. Please see tasting notes above. ($15.99)

• 2003 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Please see tasting notes above. ($25.99)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

phone: 401.886.9463

web: http://www.thesavorygrape.com