I want to wish all of Family, Friends, & Readers a Super New Year!!!
May 2007 bring the best of all things to you and yours!
I raise my glass to all of you!
As you can see, I've done a little sprucing up to the Blog for 2007 thanks to long-awaited updates from Blogger. I am hoping that this will enable me to add posts and graphics faster and do things that will make the blog better. If you have any suggestions or ways that I can make the blog better for you, just send me your comments and suggestions by using the form at the bottom of this page (I have to reinstall it since Blogger removed it when I did my updates) or by emailing me at (leave out the spaces) weekendwino 11 @ yahoo. com (no spaces)
Here is Part 3 of My Favorite Finger Lakes Wine of 2006 (Scroll down to find Parts 1 & 2):
- Swedish Hill - Just Peachy, intense peach flavor. Radical Raspberry, intense raspberry flavor. If you like peach or raspberry, these are the best!
- Seneca Shore- Smooth Chardonnay, One of my favorite F.L. Chardonnays, smooth & buttery. Castle Blush, on the sweeter side but with lots of fruit flavor, a delicious blush. Lemberger, this grape is fast becoming very popular among F.L. Red wine afficianados, smoky but smooth. Seneca Shore keeps their prices reasonable and has some of the best value wines in the Finger Lakes.
- Four Chimneys- uses organic farming methods and little or no sulfites. Reserve White, Aurora/Chardonnay blend, dry but buttery with lots of fruit. Cabernet Franc, light tannins, very balanced. Honeydew Melon, just like biting into a honeydew melon, lightly sweet and very refreshing.
- Fox Run - Cabernet Franc, excellent, smooth tannins, hints of raspberry and oak with a long finish. Riesling, A perfect Riesling for my tastes, peach and lime that goes on and on.
- Yates Cellars- Gewurztraminer, extremely floral aromas, classic Gewurz spice. Traminette, again extremely floral scents that are just heavenly, someone really should come up with a Traminette after shave, I'd buy it, a Perfect Traminette for me.
- Lamoreaux Landing- Chardonnay, rounded citrus tones with hints of vanilla and butter. Dry Riesling, lime and mineral with soft apple and peach and an elegant lingering finish. Semi-Dry Riesling, sweeter with lemon, lime, and pineapple overtones and a very long finish. Merlot, very soft tannins, beautifully balanced fruit and pepper. This is one of the wineries that I have really liked everything I have tasted there. Their wines are always complex but balanced, with many layers of flavor and very long finishes.
- Silver Thread- Good Earth Red, Dry and light but fruity, Pinot Noir with 20% Gewurztraminer. Blackbird, Cab Franc/Merlot/Cab Sauv blend, lots of berry fruit.
- Hazlitt 1852- Always a fun place to visit. White Stag, Cayuga/Ravat 51 blend, sweet summer sipping wine. Red Cat, the famous Red Cat, Catawba/Baco Noir blend, fruity smooth and sweet red wine, Red Cat never met a hot tub or party (or hot tub party) it didn't like.
- Shalestone- Merlot, an excellent Merlot, deep but very soft. Cabernet Franc, soft medium tannins with a finish that stays with you like a beautiful memory. Reds are all Shalestone produces and, in my humble opinion, they have perfected it!
- Damiani- Talk with Lou Damiani for 15 minutes and your knowledge of wine will increase exponentially. Cabernet Sauvignon, I'm not fond of too many Cab Sauvs in F.L., but I really like this one, smooth with berry flavors and a hint of tobacco. Dolce Bianco, blend of Vignoles/Cayuga/Vidal, grape and pineapple with good acidity for balance.
- Treleaven- Semi Dry Riesling, peach and lime dancing on a base of smooth mineral. Apple, amazingly complex layers of apple and peach, if you love apple, get this one, also a nice wine to cook with.
- Hermann Wiemer- Dry Johannisberg Riesling, dry but smooth crisp and clean, lots of fruit and lots of mineral, classic Wiemer Riesling. Dry Rose, Pinot Noir/Gamay Noir blend, very dry but lots of berry fruit, crisp clean and elegant.
- Catharine Valley- The Lost Irishman, Catawba grape, sweet and tangy, perfect for a hot summer day. Seneca Steamer, Very nice Niagara, sweet and grapey.
- Cobblestone Farm- Chardonnay, lots of fruit with hints of green apple and oak. Cabernet Franc, very complex, layers of spice, berry, and pepper.
I can't wait until spring when I'll start visiting the 90-some wineries in the Finger Lakes to taste their offerings. It's a tough job, but someones got to do it. Once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Although it's been said many times, many ways...
I wish you all Good Cheer this Holiday Season!!! Thank You for reading my blog and for your continued support! May you be surrounded with family and friends and may you have plenty of your favorite Finger Lakes wine!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Finger Lakes News & Notes
- Thoughts on the future of the "Queen City of the Finger Lakes".
- Thoughts on the future of Hemlock & Canadice Lakes. And more thoughts.
- Some Recipes from Finger Lakes wineries
- Protecting the "Emerald Necklace".
- Wine trails, farm trails, and now Maple trails.
- Connecticut couple look for value in The Finger Lakes. Or Husband embarrases wife in The Finger Lakes.
- Rochester Winter Wine Tasting & Art Show - Jan. 25
- Obsession blogger blogs about Standing Stone Vineyards.
- Long Islanders review their Fall Finger Lakes trip.
- iJamming Tony's Finger Lakes 2006 wine trip review here. And here.
- And Congrats to
Fox Run Vineyards Owner Scott Osborn Who Receives Camp Good Days Award
Penn Yan, NY 8211; Fox Run Vineyards owner Scott Osborn was presented the Teddi Award from Camp Good Days on December 10, 2006 at their annual holiday party held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center . He was recognized for his work with the Camp Good Days wine competition, auction and dinner fundraising events. The Teddi Award is an honor that Camp Good Days bestows upon individuals from the community who, through their continued efforts, have gone above and beyond to help improve the quality of life for children and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges over the past year.
Osborn has been active with Camp Good Days for the past 7 years, sitting on the committee for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the Wine Auction and Dinner, where all net proceeds from the competition and its special event benefits Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc.
“Scott Osborn has been one of the key participants in founding and running the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, now the largest wine competition for a charity in North America and is now the largest fundraiser for Camp Good Days. As a founding member of the committee, Scott is also a great advisor, helping the competition and auction bring as much attention and value to all the wineries in New York . Camp Good Day’s Teddi award is a small way for Camp to say ‘thanks’ to Scott for all he has done to help thousands of children over the years!” states Peter Parts, Board Member Camp Good Days and President, Peter Parts Electronics.
Osborn states, “It is a personal honor to receive the Teddi award for my work with Camp Good Days. We all have known someone affected by cancer and it is easy to donate my time to such a worthwhile cause.”
- Thoughts on the future of Hemlock & Canadice Lakes. And more thoughts.
- Some Recipes from Finger Lakes wineries
- Protecting the "Emerald Necklace".
- Wine trails, farm trails, and now Maple trails.
- Connecticut couple look for value in The Finger Lakes. Or Husband embarrases wife in The Finger Lakes.
- Rochester Winter Wine Tasting & Art Show - Jan. 25
- Obsession blogger blogs about Standing Stone Vineyards.
- Long Islanders review their Fall Finger Lakes trip.
- iJamming Tony's Finger Lakes 2006 wine trip review here. And here.
- And Congrats to
Fox Run Vineyards Owner Scott Osborn Who Receives Camp Good Days Award
Penn Yan, NY 8211; Fox Run Vineyards owner Scott Osborn was presented the Teddi Award from Camp Good Days on December 10, 2006 at their annual holiday party held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center . He was recognized for his work with the Camp Good Days wine competition, auction and dinner fundraising events. The Teddi Award is an honor that Camp Good Days bestows upon individuals from the community who, through their continued efforts, have gone above and beyond to help improve the quality of life for children and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges over the past year.
Osborn has been active with Camp Good Days for the past 7 years, sitting on the committee for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the Wine Auction and Dinner, where all net proceeds from the competition and its special event benefits Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc.
“Scott Osborn has been one of the key participants in founding and running the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, now the largest wine competition for a charity in North America and is now the largest fundraiser for Camp Good Days. As a founding member of the committee, Scott is also a great advisor, helping the competition and auction bring as much attention and value to all the wineries in New York . Camp Good Day’s Teddi award is a small way for Camp to say ‘thanks’ to Scott for all he has done to help thousands of children over the years!” states Peter Parts, Board Member Camp Good Days and President, Peter Parts Electronics.
Osborn states, “It is a personal honor to receive the Teddi award for my work with Camp Good Days. We all have known someone affected by cancer and it is easy to donate my time to such a worthwhile cause.”
Sunday, December 17, 2006
My Favorite Finger Lakes Wine of 2006 - Part 2
I pulled out all of my tasting sheet comments for this year and here's Part 2 of what I liked, in no particular order. This gives me a record of my favorites for the year. Keep in mind my palate is about right in the middle of dry and sweet. I do like dry wines that are very fruit forward and I like sweet wines that are balanced with appropriate acidity and/or fruit. I'm more of a white wine drinker, but that's mainly because I find that red wines stir up my Acid Reflux Condition. But I do taste both reds and whites.
- Glenora Wine Cellars- Glenora produces about 30 different wines and is a beautiful place to visit. -Seyval Blanc, Semi-dry, melon and lime/citrus. - Peach & Raspberry Spumante, perfectly sweet & bubbly with lots of fruit flavor, perfect for the Holidays and a nice value.
- Barrington Cellars- Delaware, not overly grapey and subtly sweet, nice summer sipping wine. Diamond, aromatic light grape nose, sweet with soft citrus and grape flavors.
- Keuka Overlook- Late Harvest Riesling, sweet dessert wine with luscious honey and peach flavors. - Late Harvest Vignoles, sweet dessert wine with pineapple/citrus flavors.
Keuka Spring- Riesling, semi-dry, classic Riesling flavor with long finish. - Vignoles, concentrated flavors of honeyed apricot and lemon.
Castel Grisch - Estate Reserve Burgundy, Very soft and smooth red blend. - Cayuga White, bright and balanced, apple and citrus flavors.
Dr. Frank - Merlot, soft medium tannins, lots of plummy fruit. - Salmon Run Riesling, very floral, perfectly balanced, clean and classic. - Celebre NV Champagne, dry but lively and fruity.
Billsboro Winery - Chardonnay, firmly balanced acidity with elegant fruit. -Classic Cuvee, Blend of Elvira, Catawba, and Cayuga White, some bubbles, very interesting.
Rooster Hill Vineyards- Dry Riesling, crisp citrus and mineral. Merlot- very soft silky tannins with the perfect amount of oak.
Prejean Winery- Cabernet Franc, Lots of cherry and a long finish. Gewurtzraminer, balanced and perfectly spicy. Late Harvest Vignoles, intense honeyed peach and pineapple. -Bird of Paradise, unique Chardonnay Port, Chardonnay crispness with dessert wine sweetness.
Belhurst Winery- Traditions Dry Riesling, Dry with a very long lemon/lime finish. Traditions Chardonnay, Light clean and crisp.
Heron Hill Winery - Game Bird White, Seyval/Cayuga blend, balanced with nice acidity and a great value. Riesling Ice Wine, unbelievable intensity of flavor to the infinity, My notes state "I did not want to swallow". And for good reason- A taste was $7 and a bottle was $99. If anyone needs a Christmas gift idea for me, this is it! The winemaker Thomas Laszlo makes some of the most elegant wines in the Finger Lakes and his ice wines compare with the world's best.
Miles Wine Cellars- Cabernet Franc, smooth smoke and oak. Pinot Noir, smoky cherry, Very Nice!
Torrey Ridge Winery- This winery gets my vote for Most Underrated Finger Lakes Winery. They don't get a lot of the press that some of the others get, but I am continually impressed with the quality of their wine, and they have one of the most beautiful facilities also.
Cayuga White, excellent balance of acid/sweet and fruit with a long lightly sweet finish. -Traminette, very floral, hints of citrus and spice and very smooth. - Riesling, sweeter style with layers of honey, peach, citrus, and pineapple. -Diamond, one of my top faves, sweet but not overly sweet, with layers of grape, grapefruit, pineapple, and mango.
Earle Estates Meadery- This winery is the sister winery of Torrey Ridge specializing in mead, which is wine made from honey. Unfortunately for me, my palate perceives a bitter taste in a lot of mead wines, but there are some mead/fruit blends here that I like. Strawberry Shadows, strawberry/mead blend, nice natural sweet strawberry flavor. - Autumn Harvest, Pear/Raspberry/Mead blend, sweet raspberry flavor.
Arcadian Estate- Starry Night Riesling, crisp dry style with lots of Seneca mineral. - Take My Time Black Raspberry, intense berry aroma and flavor.
Cascata Winery- Fireside Chardonnay, Abundant upfront fruit with a kiss of oak. -Sweet Maggie, Cayuga/Vidal blend, easy drinking light blush.
Anthony Road- Tony's White, Cayuga White, Riesling-like in taste with a lime/citrus zing, excellent value. - Martini Reinhardt Vignoles Trockenbeeren, incredible flavors of apricot, citrus, and honey but at $75, a little out of my price range, but an awesome special occasion wine.
Stay tuned for Part 3.......
- Glenora Wine Cellars- Glenora produces about 30 different wines and is a beautiful place to visit. -Seyval Blanc, Semi-dry, melon and lime/citrus. - Peach & Raspberry Spumante, perfectly sweet & bubbly with lots of fruit flavor, perfect for the Holidays and a nice value.
- Barrington Cellars- Delaware, not overly grapey and subtly sweet, nice summer sipping wine. Diamond, aromatic light grape nose, sweet with soft citrus and grape flavors.
- Keuka Overlook- Late Harvest Riesling, sweet dessert wine with luscious honey and peach flavors. - Late Harvest Vignoles, sweet dessert wine with pineapple/citrus flavors.
Keuka Spring- Riesling, semi-dry, classic Riesling flavor with long finish. - Vignoles, concentrated flavors of honeyed apricot and lemon.
Castel Grisch - Estate Reserve Burgundy, Very soft and smooth red blend. - Cayuga White, bright and balanced, apple and citrus flavors.
Dr. Frank - Merlot, soft medium tannins, lots of plummy fruit. - Salmon Run Riesling, very floral, perfectly balanced, clean and classic. - Celebre NV Champagne, dry but lively and fruity.
Billsboro Winery - Chardonnay, firmly balanced acidity with elegant fruit. -Classic Cuvee, Blend of Elvira, Catawba, and Cayuga White, some bubbles, very interesting.
Rooster Hill Vineyards- Dry Riesling, crisp citrus and mineral. Merlot- very soft silky tannins with the perfect amount of oak.
Prejean Winery- Cabernet Franc, Lots of cherry and a long finish. Gewurtzraminer, balanced and perfectly spicy. Late Harvest Vignoles, intense honeyed peach and pineapple. -Bird of Paradise, unique Chardonnay Port, Chardonnay crispness with dessert wine sweetness.
Belhurst Winery- Traditions Dry Riesling, Dry with a very long lemon/lime finish. Traditions Chardonnay, Light clean and crisp.
Heron Hill Winery - Game Bird White, Seyval/Cayuga blend, balanced with nice acidity and a great value. Riesling Ice Wine, unbelievable intensity of flavor to the infinity, My notes state "I did not want to swallow". And for good reason- A taste was $7 and a bottle was $99. If anyone needs a Christmas gift idea for me, this is it! The winemaker Thomas Laszlo makes some of the most elegant wines in the Finger Lakes and his ice wines compare with the world's best.
Miles Wine Cellars- Cabernet Franc, smooth smoke and oak. Pinot Noir, smoky cherry, Very Nice!
Torrey Ridge Winery- This winery gets my vote for Most Underrated Finger Lakes Winery. They don't get a lot of the press that some of the others get, but I am continually impressed with the quality of their wine, and they have one of the most beautiful facilities also.
Cayuga White, excellent balance of acid/sweet and fruit with a long lightly sweet finish. -Traminette, very floral, hints of citrus and spice and very smooth. - Riesling, sweeter style with layers of honey, peach, citrus, and pineapple. -Diamond, one of my top faves, sweet but not overly sweet, with layers of grape, grapefruit, pineapple, and mango.
Earle Estates Meadery- This winery is the sister winery of Torrey Ridge specializing in mead, which is wine made from honey. Unfortunately for me, my palate perceives a bitter taste in a lot of mead wines, but there are some mead/fruit blends here that I like. Strawberry Shadows, strawberry/mead blend, nice natural sweet strawberry flavor. - Autumn Harvest, Pear/Raspberry/Mead blend, sweet raspberry flavor.
Arcadian Estate- Starry Night Riesling, crisp dry style with lots of Seneca mineral. - Take My Time Black Raspberry, intense berry aroma and flavor.
Cascata Winery- Fireside Chardonnay, Abundant upfront fruit with a kiss of oak. -Sweet Maggie, Cayuga/Vidal blend, easy drinking light blush.
Anthony Road- Tony's White, Cayuga White, Riesling-like in taste with a lime/citrus zing, excellent value. - Martini Reinhardt Vignoles Trockenbeeren, incredible flavors of apricot, citrus, and honey but at $75, a little out of my price range, but an awesome special occasion wine.
Stay tuned for Part 3.......
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Finger Lakes Christmas Gift Ideas
With the Holiday shopping season in full swing, here are some online gift ideas for the Finger Lakes enthusiast on your gift list.
- First, I must mention my Finger Lakes song downloads, and my Finger Lakes Tshirt, 2007 Finger Lakes Calendar, & other Finger Lakes gifts. They make perfect gifts and I am donating proceeds from the sale of these items to Finger Lakes charities, so you can also help a good cause.
- Of course, Finger Lakes wine has to be at the top of the list. More and more wineries now have online stores and can ship to many states. Go to www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com and click on "Wineries" and get the link to your favorite winery website.
- A Gift Subscription to Life In The Finger Lakes magazine. I look forward to receiving my copy every quarter.
- Amazon.com has a variety of Finger Lakes books and gifts available.
- Friends of the Finger Lakes Publishing has a good selection of Finger Lakes books.
- If you are visiting the Finger Lakes area, visit these gift shops suggested by local B&B owners.
- There are an amazing number of artists and craftspeople that make their home in the Finger Lakes area and create wonderful artwork. Here is a great list of them. You are sure to find unique gift items from them.
- The Corning Museum of Glass has a excellent online store with many gift items.
Here's to wishing you all get that Finger Lakes gift that you want for the Holidays!!!
If you have any additional suggestions of Finger Lakes gifts, please leave a comment.
- First, I must mention my Finger Lakes song downloads, and my Finger Lakes Tshirt, 2007 Finger Lakes Calendar, & other Finger Lakes gifts. They make perfect gifts and I am donating proceeds from the sale of these items to Finger Lakes charities, so you can also help a good cause.
- Of course, Finger Lakes wine has to be at the top of the list. More and more wineries now have online stores and can ship to many states. Go to www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com and click on "Wineries" and get the link to your favorite winery website.
- A Gift Subscription to Life In The Finger Lakes magazine. I look forward to receiving my copy every quarter.
- Amazon.com has a variety of Finger Lakes books and gifts available.
- Friends of the Finger Lakes Publishing has a good selection of Finger Lakes books.
- If you are visiting the Finger Lakes area, visit these gift shops suggested by local B&B owners.
- There are an amazing number of artists and craftspeople that make their home in the Finger Lakes area and create wonderful artwork. Here is a great list of them. You are sure to find unique gift items from them.
- The Corning Museum of Glass has a excellent online store with many gift items.
Here's to wishing you all get that Finger Lakes gift that you want for the Holidays!!!
If you have any additional suggestions of Finger Lakes gifts, please leave a comment.
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