In my most recent wine tasting classes, the Finger Lakes region of New York state was featured. Only four hours north of Philadelphia, this region has recently started to gain national, and even international, attention. Noted for its whites, particularly Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, the Finger Lakes also produces a number of very fine reds, such as Cabernet Franc and even the Georgian varietal Saperavi. In these classes, we sampled some of the distinctive wines from this bucolic and picturesque lake district that merits a visit all its own.
Prices for most of the wines are in the $15-20 range. You can check their websites for more details.
Origin:
Keuka
Lake
Varietal:
100%
Pinot Gris
Production/Tasting
Notes: Wine
producing began in 1981; notes of grapefruit and pear; green apple and honey
flavors on the palate; crisp finish.
Food
Pairing: apéritif;
bouillabaisse; cheese tart
Alcohol:
12%
Ravines
Dry Riesling 2015 ravineswine.com
Origin:
Seneca
Lake
Varietal:
100% Riesling
Production/Tasting
Notes: Limestone and shalestone soils; machine and hand
harvested; fermented at low temperatures in temperature controlled stainless
steel tanks; aged on lees after racking until April; delicate aromas of white
flowers mingled with pear, apple and citrus notes; crisp acidity; lingering
mineral finish. (90 points, Wine Spectator)
Food
pairing: Quiche Lorraine; Flammenkuchen
Alcohol: 12.5%
Origin:
Seneca
Lake
Varietals:
100%
Pinot Noir
Production/Tasting
Notes: Aromas
of fresh raspberries; flavors of Queen Anne cherries with hints of rhubarb;
dry; bright acidity;
Food
Pairing: Aged cheeses; charcuterie
Alcohol: 12.5%
Hosmer
Cabernet Franc 2016 hosmerwinery.com
Origin:
Cayuga
Lake
Varietal:
100%
Cabernet Franc
Production/Tasting
Notes: Silt loam with glacial till; easterly slope; planted
in 1990; nose is fruit-driven with hints of bramble, violets, lavender; palate
laced with flavors of black currant, lavender, red raspberry; medium tannins
Food Pairings: Lamb Chops with Moroccan Barbeque Sauce, Greek Lamb
Meatballs, Grilled Eggplant and Goat Cheese Pizza
Alcohol:
13.1%
Silver
Thread Blackbird Red Wine STV Estate Vineyard 2015 silverthreadwine.com
Origin: Seneca
Lake
Varietals: 76% Cabernet Franc; 24% Cabernet Sauvignon
Production/Tasting
Notes: Estate grown; barrel-aged 2 years; hand-harvested;
elegant, complex, earthy
Alcohol: 12.6%
Standing
Stone Vineyards Saperavi 2016
Origin :
Seneca
Lake
Varietal:
100%
Saperavi
Production/Tasting
Notes: First planted
in 1994; now the largest Saperavi planting outside of the Republic of Georgia
at 6 acres; shale slopes; hand-picked; aged in Hungarian oak for 6 months; rich
& spicy - cloves, licorice, plum, blueberry; soft, silky texture; very dry
Food
Pairings: Deep dish pizza; smoky barbecued pork chops
Alcohol:
12.7%
Origin:
Sawmill
Creek Vineyards, Seneca Lake
Varietal:
100%
Pinot Gris
Production/Tasting
Notes: Lansing soil, gravel silt loam, 8% - 15% slope;
planted in 1993; delicately concentrated;
dry, full bodied; apricot and peach flavors; fresh lemon-line and grapefruit
acidity on the midpalate. (88 points, Wine Enthusiast)
Food
Pairing: aperitif; bouillabaisse; cheese tart; spicy fish tacos
Alcohol:
13.2%
Ravines
Pinot Rosé 2017
Origin:
Seneca
Lake
Varietals:
100% Pinot Noir
Production/Tasting
Notes: limestone soils;
traditional saignée method; crisp, dry; saline minerality,
light orange zest and refreshing acidity; opening up to subtle red berry and
white pepper notes, completed by a soft, dry finish.
Food
Pairing: Aged cheeses; charcuterie
Alcohol: 12.5%
Origin:
Cayuga
Lake
Varietal:
100% Lemberger
Production/Tasting
Notes: Silty, clay soil with glacial till, easterly slope 4-6
degrees; planted in 2005; notes of raspberry, black pepper, sweet vanilla, bing
cherry.
Food Pairings: Portobello Mushroom Risotto, Grilled Rack of Lamb, Roasted
Venison Chili
Alcohol:
12.9%
Origin:
Seneca
Lake
Varietals:
100%
Cabernet Franc
Production/Tasting
Notes: Old vine (20+ years); mixed berry fruit; with a dose
of sweet vanilla and toast; medium bodied, with firm velvety
tannins.
Alcohol: 12.4%
Shalestone
Vineyards Cross-Rows 2015
Origin :
Seneca
Lake
Varietal:
Merlot,
Syrah, Lemberger
Production/Tasting Notes: Six rows, randomly inter-planted with Merlot,
Syrah and Lemberger, harvested and fermented together;
aromas of blackberry, blueberry, strawberry accented by graphite,
vanilla, tobacco, smoked meat; medium bodied;
soft mouthfeel; moderate grippy tannins with good acidity;
well balanced.
Alcohol:
12.8%
Finger
Lake Factoids
·
Although hybrid or native grapes (Vitis labrusca), such as Concord,
Catawba, still comprise over 70% of the more than 9,300 acres of vine, Vitis vinifera varieties, such as
Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, etc., produce the best wines.
·
Total vinifera plantings amount to an
estimated 2,800 acres, 1,300 of which are Riesling.
·
Dr. Konstantin Frank, a German-born Russian,
spearheaded the movement to plant vinifera over 40 years ago.
·
Over 130 wineries are operating throughout
the region
·
2016 was the best vintage in the last 7
years
·
Largest regional wine production east of
California
·
There are 3 AVAs (American Viticulture
Areas) in the Finger Lakes
·
Cayuga Lake was the first individual lake
to acquire AVA status in 1988; Seneca Lake also has its own AVA status.
·
The 4 major lakes include Canandaigua (16
miles long), Keuka (22 miles long), Seneca (38 miles long), and Cayuga (40
miles long).
