The Wine Knows

Chateau Ste. Michelle continues to dip its toes into the screwcap waters.

The state's flagship winery put about 12,000 cases of its 2006 Columbia Valley Riesling under threads, primarily for the export market. Now, with the 2007 Columbia Valley Riesling, it has eschewed corks for 13,000 cases.

This really is a dip in the water for the Woodinville winery, as it made 556,000 cases of that wine.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates also has most of Erath wines under screwcaps. And its German Riesling import, Saint M, uses threads for its roughly 60,000 cases.