Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling Snake River Valley – Idaho’s Sweet Late Harvest Treasure Updated → September 2025 Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling Snake River Valley is a sweet late-harvest Riesling from Idaho’s emerging wine country. Bursting with ripe fruit flavors and fragrant floral notes, this Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling Snake River Valley offers a luscious taste of the Snake River Valley terroir. With its balanced sweetness and friendly price, it’s a delightful introduction to Idaho wines, perfect alongside spicy foods or light desserts. Idaho’s Emerging Wine Scene Snake River Valley AVA Ste. Chapelle Winery Legacy The “Special Harvest” Concept Riesling Grape Characteristics Tasting Notes & Flavor Profile Sweetness & Style Comparisons with Other Rieslings Food Pairings Serving & Storage Tips Quality & Ratings Where to Buy Local Availability FAQ Conclusion Idaho’s Emerging Wine Scene Idaho might not be the first place that comes to mind for wine, but the state’s wine industry has been quietly growing and gaining recognition. Thanks to its high desert terroir and passionate vintners, Idaho now produces quality wines that can rival more established regions. Warm days and cool nights (especially in the Snake River Valley) help grapes develop ripe flavors while retaining acidity. What was once a tiny niche of wineries has expanded into dozens of producers – an exciting new frontier in American winemaking. This growth sets the stage for the Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling Snake River Valley, a wine that exemplifies the potential of Idaho’s vineyards. Snake River Valley AVA The Snake River Valley AVA is the heart of Idaho’s wine country. Established in 2007 across southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon, it encompasses most of the state’s vineyards. At elevations of 2,500–3,000 feet, this high-altitude desert sees hot summers and brisk, cool nights – often a 30–40°F swing. Those conditions ripen grapes by day and preserve acidity by night. Cold winters give vines a dormant rest. Riesling thrives here, yielding wines with intense fruit flavors and refreshing structure. Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling is a prime example, shaped by the region’s sunny days and crisp nights to be lusciously sweet yet well-balanced. Ste. Chapelle Winery Legacy Ste. Chapelle Winery, founded in 1975 in Caldwell, is Idaho’s oldest and largest winery. Named after a historic French chapel, it has long been renowned for its Rieslings and played a key role in putting Idaho wine on the map. Decades of experience have taught Ste. Chapelle’s winemakers how to get the best from local grapes. The Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling Snake River Valley reflects this expertise – a product of a pioneering winery’s commitment to quality. It has become one of Idaho’s signature sweet wines, showcasing the winery’s mastery of the Riesling grape. The “Special Harvest” Concept “Special Harvest” indicates a late-harvest style wine. The Riesling grapes for Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling are left on the vine longer than usual to achieve extra ripeness and sugar. By picking the grapes very late in the season, the winery captures intensely sweet juice that is only partially fermented – leaving natural residual sugar in the finished wine. The result is a richly sweet Riesling with a lower alcohol level than a dry wine. In essence, “Special Harvest” on the label promises a dessert-like profile, crafted for those who love ripe fruit sweetness in their wine. Riesling Grape Characteristics Riesling is a white grape capable of producing wines from bone dry to very sweet. In Idaho’s Snake River Valley, Riesling develops bright flavors of peach, apple and apricot along with lovely floral aromatics. Importantly, the grape’s naturally high acidity is preserved by the region’s cool nights – this ensures that even a sweet late-harvest wine like Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling doesn’t taste cloying. The acidity adds a crisp backbone that balances the rich sweetness, making each sip refreshing. Tasting Notes & Flavor Profile In the glass, Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling offers enticing aromas of ripe apricots, peach, and honey, layered with floral hints of jasmine and lilac. On the palate it is decidedly sweet and fruit-forward: think juicy peach and apricot jam, drizzled with honey. Despite the luscious sweetness, the wine feels light on its feet – a streak of bright acidity runs through, preventing it from becoming heavy. There’s a subtle note of spice or cream (some might notice a hint of vanilla or cinnamon) in the finish. The finish is long and pleasant, with sweet fruit and floral notes lingering on. Sweetness & Style Make no mistake: this is a sweet wine. With its high residual sugar content, Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling drinks like a dessert wine (comparable to a German Auslese in sweetness). However, what makes it enjoyable is the balance – the natural acidity keeps the sweetness lively rather than sticky. You get a burst of honeyed fruit flavor, but the finish is clean and crisp. For those who typically prefer softer or off-dry wines, this late-harvest Riesling will be very appealing. It delivers indulgent sweetness in a smooth, easy-drinking style. Comparisons with Other Rieslings How does Ste Chapelle’s sweet Riesling compare to others? Firstly, it’s far sweeter than a typical dry Riesling – this is more akin to late-harvest styles from Germany or the Finger Lakes. Many tasters are surprised that an Idaho wine can match the quality of those more famous regions. In fact, Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling often rivals the sweet Rieslings from Washington or Germany, yet at a notably lower price. Compared to very rich dessert wines like Sauternes or Icewine, the Special Harvest Riesling is lighter and fresher, without the heavy syrupy feel. Overall, it holds its own among the world’s sweet Riesling offerings, while adding an approachable Idaho twist. Food Pairings The sweet and fruity profile of Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling makes it a versatile partner for certain foods. Spicy cuisine is a top match – the wine’s sugar soothes the heat of dishes like Thai curry, spicy Chinese stir-fries or Indian curries. Similarly, it works wonderfully as a dessert wine. Serve it with light desserts such as fresh fruit tarts, peach cobbler, or a slice of angel food cake. It also pairs nicely with creamy desserts like cheesecake, as long as they aren’t overly sweet. For a fun contrast, try it alongside a salty cheese plate (blue cheese or aged cheddar) – the sweetness balances the saltiness beautifully. Of course, this wine is delightful just by itself as a post-dinner treat. Serving & Storage Tips Sweet wines like this are best served well chilled. Plan to refrigerate Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling for a couple of hours before serving, aiming for around 45°F. A chilled temperature accentuates its crisp acidity and keeps the sweetness crisp. Use a white wine glass (or smaller dessert wine glass) to concentrate its aromas. If you don’t finish the bottle in one go, fear not – the wine’s sugar and acidity help it stay fresh for several days. Simply re-cork the bottle and store it in the refrigerator; it will drink nicely for about 3–5 days after opening. (You may notice the aroma diminish slightly over time, but the taste remains sweet and pleasant.) It’s perfectly fine to enjoy a glass each night over a few days. As for cellaring, this wine is best enjoyed young and vibrant; you don’t need to age it for long. Buy it and pop it open! Quality & Ratings Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling has earned praise for delivering high quality at a low price. Wine Enthusiast, for example, awarded a recent vintage 88 points and a “Best Buy” accolade – meaning it’s highly recommended for its value. It’s uncommon to find a late-harvest Riesling of this caliber around the $11 mark, which makes this bottle stand out. Critics often mention its vibrant aromatics and balanced sweetness, noting it drinks like a more expensive wine. Ste Chapelle’s achievement here shows that Idaho can compete with renowned Riesling regions, and do so while being wallet-friendly. With consistent quality year after year, this wine offers a trustworthy choice for those who love sweet whites. In short, you’re getting a delicious dessert-style wine that punches above its price point. Where to Buy Ste Chapelle wines, including the Special Harvest Riesling, are primarily found in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West. If you’re in Idaho or nearby states, you can likely spot Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling at local wine shops, liquor stores, or even grocery stores with a good wine selection. The winery’s tasting room in Caldwell also sells it, and they offer shipping to many states via their website. For those outside the region, some larger retailers or online wine marketplaces occasionally carry Ste Chapelle wines as Idaho’s profile grows – but availability can vary. Fortunately, if you’re reading this in Jackson Hole or western Wyoming, you have a reliable source right at hand. (See below for local availability.) Typically, this wine retails in the $10–$13 range for a 750 mL bottle, which is an excellent deal for what’s in the bottle. It’s worth picking up if you come across it – a great value find for sweet wine lovers. Local Availability The Liquor Store of Jackson Hole 115 Buffalo Way, Jackson, WY 83001, US Phone: (307) 733-4466 Business Hours: Mon - Sun 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Delivery Hours: Mon - Sun 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM FAQ What kind of wine is Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling? It’s a sweet, late-harvest white wine made from Riesling grapes. In other words, Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling is essentially a dessert-style Riesling with rich fruit flavor and notable sweetness (similar to a German Auslese). How sweet is it? Quite sweet – you will definitely notice the sugar content. It’s bursting with honeyed peach/apricot sweetness. However, a bright streak of acidity keeps it from being syrupy, so the finish still feels refreshing rather than cloying. What foods pair well with this wine? Spicy foods and desserts are best. The wine’s sweetness is fantastic with spicy Thai or Indian dishes, as it cools the heat. For dessert, try it with fruit-based desserts (like a peach tart or apple cobbler) or creamy desserts such as cheesecake. It also complements salty blue cheese nicely. Of course, you can sip it on its own as a dessert. Should I serve it chilled? Yes. This Riesling is best served well chilled (around 45–50°F). Chilling accentuates its crisp acidity and fruit flavors, making the sweetness more refreshing. Be sure to refrigerate an open bottle as well, to keep it fresh for next time. How long does an open bottle last? You don’t have to finish it all at once. Re-cork the bottle and store it in the fridge – it will stay delicious for about 3 to 5 days after opening. The flavors remain sweet and enjoyable over that time, especially since the sugar helps preserve the wine. So feel free to savor a little each night! Conclusion Ste Chapelle Special Harvest Riesling Snake River Valley encapsulates what’s exciting about Idaho wine – luscious flavors, balanced sweetness, and great value. Whether you pair it with spicy takeout, serve it alongside dessert, or simply sip it solo, this sweet Riesling is a treat. It offers an approachable taste of Idaho’s winemaking craft at an affordable price. If you have a sweet tooth or a curiosity for emerging wine regions, Ste Chapelle’s Special Harvest Riesling is well worth trying. You can find it right here at The Liquor Store of Jackson Hole – your gateway to enjoying a delicious piece of Idaho in your glass. Cheers!
