Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Finger Lakes News and Notes

- Sheila Livadas features Casa Larga Vineyards in her latest winery profile

- McGregor Vineyard Winery announces special sunset hours in July and August. They will be open until 8pm Fridays and Saturdays in July & August for visitors to enjoy wine, special food samples, and Keuka Lake sunsets. Also, check out their Raspberries, Chocolate, & Red Wine Weekend July 8 & 9. One of my favorite things is to bring guests to McGregor for their relaxed sit-down tastings. At my last tasting there a few weeks ago, I was wowed by their Unoaked Chardonnay (100% free-run juice), amazing Gewurztraminer (easily one of the best Gewurz I've tasted yet this year, but only 74 cases produced), Semi-Dry Riesling (another wow 2005), 2003 Vignoles (pineapple and honey with a cranberry finish), and the heavenly 1995 Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay). I know McGregor gets accolades for their reds, but I think their whites are top-notch also.

- Having dual citizenship between New York & Pennsylvania, every year I make the trek to the Poconos for the Pennsylvania Wine Festival. Pennsylvania wine seems to have a bad reputation, but I can honestly say that slowly, they are getting better and better. And in fairness, most Pennsylvania wineries have to deal with much less than ideal growing conditions. I've always enjoyed Pennsylvania fruit wines (other than grape) but now a few wineries are starting to produce top-notch grape wines. The highlights for me were the always good fruit wines (especially their Plum) of Bashore & Stoudt Country Winery & Benignas Creek Vineyard
(especially their Strawberry), West Hanover Winery (a newer winery doing a very nice job with a wide variety of wines), and Clover Hill Vineyards (producing top-notch Riesling and Vignoles)

- Newsday writer goes to the source to discover the Finger Lakes

- How the Farm Winery Act saved the New York wine industry

- A veterans cemetary at the old Sampson military base sound like a great idea to me

- Bikers look tough on the outside but inside, they're softies with big hearts

- Immigration crackdown affecting Finger Lakes farmers and Finger Lakes farmers speak at House hearing on Immigration

- Check your NYSEG bills

- Finger Lakes Railway planning new station

- Ithaca battles Two Rivers in fight over origin of the ice cream sundae. Whoever originated it, I thank them.

- Stay tuned for more winery visit summaries and Thanks for Reading!!! Also, I get a lot of questions and emails from people who are planning visits to the Finger Lakes and want advice on which wineries would fit their taste in wine. I love receiving these emails. Keep them coming. Just email me at the email address at the top of the page and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

More Winery Visit Summaries

- I visited the always busy Wagner Vineyards to check out this years wine (and beer) offerings. I particularly enjoyed the Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (Butter and Vanilla and just the right amount of oak for me), the Semi-Dry Riesling (one of my personal favorites- Floral & Tropical aromas and perfectly balanced), Alta B Blush (nice, easy drinking, sweet summer wine), Cabernet Sauvignon (aromas of cherry, nice and balanced), and Sled Dog Doppelback (Beer- rich and caramelly). Don't miss Live Entertainment on the Deck every Friday 8-11pm.

- We pulled in to Hazlitt1852 Vineyards, where there is always a party going on, and enjoyed there Reserve Riesling (nice citrus and mineral), Schooner White (smooth Chardonnay/Riesling blend), Cabernet Franc (I'm really liking those 2002's), and of course Red Cat (see photo below). They are running a nice special 3-pack of White Stag, Cabin Fever, & Red Cat for just $23.50!!!
And make your reservations now for July 30, when Red Cat turns Legal (21). That's gonna be a party!!!




...Too Much Red Cat or Just Enough??? More Uses For Red Cat- Guitar Stand; Blues Slide; Musician Fuel.









- Penguin Bay Winery (no, they do not have any live penguins there, I asked- but they do sponsor the penguin exhibit at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo) served up their Riesling (a nice Riesling on the sweeter side), Swedish Hill Spumante Blush Champagne (a bubbly treat), and Tuxedo Red (Concord-orific). And I love the Flying Penguin Labels. We don't need no stinking Australian animals on our labels.

- I pulled into our neighbors across the pond- Standing Stone Vineyards, tried the newly released Riesling and Smokehouse Vidal and all I can say is Wow! Loving them! When we run out, somebody please send a boat across for us.

- We wandered up north to Amberg Wine Cellars (they now have ice cream, too. And I never pass by an ice cream stand) and sampled their Semi-Dry Traminette (wonderful floral aroma and that nice nice spice spice- you know, so nice I had to write it twice), Pearl (a very interesting blend of Riesling & Traminette- the zing of Riesling and the spice and body of Traminette- Must have been crafted especially for us Riesling & Traminette fans, Thank You Amberg!), Pegasus (a unique Muscat/Riesling blend, sweet but smooth) , & Red Baron (Cab Sauv & Merlot, but at 3% Residual Sugar, Rich and fruity). Amberg has the knack for unique blends that work! And they are offering 50% off shipping through the end of June.

- I got over to Hosmer Winery on Cayuga Lake and tasted another amazing 2005 Riesling and one of the best Blush wines in the Finger Lakes (IMO), their Carousel (Cayuga White & Catawba blend) and now I see on their website that Carousel is on sale for $6.00 a bottle!!! It's time to load up the van at that price.

- We visited the friendly folks at Cayuga Ridge Estate & I was fond of their Chardonnay (blend of oak and steel), Solo (blend of Riesling and Cayuga White), and Cranberry Essence (refreshing and balanced, not too tart). I keep meaning to sign up for their Vigneron program where you lease 10 vines and they train you on the fine art of growing grapes. Maybe next year.

- Thirsty Owl's beautiful tasting room was hopping and I was enjoying their Chardonnay (bright fruitiness and light oak), Dry Riesling (lemon and pineapple with that Cayuga mineral finish), and the excellent Diamond (pineapple zing with a sweet ending). Here is a link to the May issue of PinotFile that reviewed Thirsty Owl, Silver Thread, & Dr. Frank wineries.

- Don't forget the Carnival Cookoff this weekend (June 24/25) on the Cayuga Wine Trail with food and prizes.

- The Keuka Lake Wine Trail presents Barbecue at the Wineries this weekend (June 24/25) with food and prizes.

- The Seneca Lake Wine Trail continues its Riesling to Visit Passport Event through Sept. 1st. I know my passport is starting to fill up.

- I'll see you on the wine trail!!!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

News & Notes



- I attended the grand opening of the New York Wine & Culinary Center and it sure is a beautiful place. With Canandaigua Lake providing a shimmering backdrop, I'm sure wine and food afficianados from around the world will be inspired and educated at this state of the art facility. My hats off to those who had the vision to create this wonderful educational and marketing tool. Visit the NYWCC website for schedules and more information. I was also impressed with the imaginative and delicious food that was served and also the Fox Run Cabernet Franc they were pouring was wonderful!

- Here is Cookin In The 'Cuse's take on the foodie aspect of the NYWCC

- Laura Rebeccas Kitchen with more coverage of the NYWCC

- A few observations after visiting Finger Lakes wine tasting rooms for the last several months; The 2005 Rieslings are, without a doubt, very impressive and consistently good at a wide variety of Finger Lakes locations. The downside is that supplies are low, so buy what you like now. Also, prices have gone up due to low supplies and rising costs. But if you like Finger Lakes Riesling, the 2005's are worth a few extra dollars. I've also been impressed with the Cabernet Franc at quite a few Finger Lakes wineries so, if you like medium-bodied Reds, I would recommend tasting the Franc's when you visit. As I've stated in earlier posts, from all accounts the Finger Lakes 2005 Reds are going to be some of the best in a long time, but it may take a few years until we can taste for ourselves.

- A big Thank You to my fellow blogger Lenn at LennDevours for turning me on to
Wolffer Estate winery on Long Island. I tried their La Ferme Martin Chardonnay and I'd swear, if I didn't know what I was drinking, that this resembled a Finger Lakes Dry Riesling. Fresh and bright fruit and citrus and crisp acidity, with a lingering mineral finish. I am hooked!
Also, See Lenn's review of Standing Stone's 2003 Pinnacle.

- Fulkerson Winery has released their 2005 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2004 Reserve Red, & 2004 Cabernet Franc and will soon be releasing the 2004 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, 2004 Pinot Noir, & 2005 Dry Riesling. Also, look for Fulkerson wines at Medley of Tastes at Hobart College on June 19 & at The Great NYS Food & Wine Festival in Clayton NY on June 23-25.

- Casa Larga has kicked off a campaign to raise money for The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. See their website for information on how you can help.

- Watkins Glen State Park turns 100!

- Cobblestone Farm Winery strives to be family-friendly

- The Seaway Wine Trail is now open up in the North Country

- If you like bluegrass music, you'll love Pickin In The Pasture. After playing guitar in rock, country, and folk styles for over 20 years, I picked up the mandolin last year and started getting into bluegrass. I attended Pickin In The Pasture last year for the first time and I had a great time. Everybody is friendly and the pickers and singers are great.

- I went down to Seneca Harbor Station to see my first Cardboard Boat Regatta on Saturday, but with the time/temperature sign at the bank reading 101 degrees, I only lasted for about an hour. All the boats that I saw miraculously did NOT sink! It sure was a HOT weekend in The Finger Lakes! Here are some pics of some of the brave mariners and their ships (double-click on picture to enlarge)




















- Will the Finger Lakes be used by corporations to sell as bottled water?

- New York wineries now have grants available to help develop their websites

- Be sure to check out this new Central New York food blog called Cooking With Ideas by Bibliochef

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Finger Lakes Winery Visit Notes

- I am way behind on posting my winery visit notes so far this year, so I will give some summaries below (in no particular order) and work on more detailed reports for later postings.

- I stopped at Ravines Wine Cellars (east side of Keuka Lake) last weekend and found out that their 2005 Dry Riesling had just received a 90 rating in Wine Enthusiast magazine. And I definitely agree! Stop by and try all of Morten & Lisa's finely crafted wines and you won't be disappointed. They will be releasing their new Chardonnay (crafted in a unique way- ask them about it) and new Cab Franc this coming Fathers Day weekend and their new Pinot Noir will be debuting next month.

- I visited the impressive new Ventosa Vineyards facility (Northeast Seneca Lake) and was blown away by the magnificent building. A must-see just for the building alone, but I was also impressed by the Chardonnay(light citrus, light oak, very balanced), Vino Bianco (blend of Chardonnay, Vidal, & Riesling- balanced acidity, bright and flavorful with a lengthy finish), and Saggio (a Bordeaux blend with a fruity cherry aroma, rich and fruity with medium tannins).

- At Hunt Country Vineyards (west side of Keuka Lake), we were greeted by the friendly wine dogs Gus & Barli (beautiful Bernese Mountain Dogs). Hunt Country is celebrating their 25th anniversary and they just get better with age. I particularly enjoy their Dry & Semi-Dry Rieslings (very limited qauntities available), their wonderful Vignoles (2004 sold out, 2005 coming June 22), the easy drinking Foxy Lady Blush, and their rich and caramelly Ruby Port.

- Arcadian Estate's (west side of Seneca Lake) friendly Kim and Jake (another great wine dog) poured their wines for us (Kim poured) and I enjoyed their Snowy Evening (crisp and refreshing), their Cool Hand Peach and Shine On Me Pear (intense fruit flavors), and the Happily Ever After Berry Port. They sure do have some of the most entertaining wine descriptions.

- Skip at Glenora Wine Cellars (west side of Seneca Lake- you can't miss the awesome view) always treats us right and I was fond of the Chardonnay (clean and crisp), Dry Riesling (always good), Alpine White (excellent blend of Cayuga and Chardonnay), Catawba (a little less bite than most Catawba), Syrah (lots of cherry and black pepper), Peach Spumante (unique and awesome), and their refreshing Blueberry Breeze and Peach Passion (for when the temperatures hit the 90's with 100% humidity).

- Summaries to be continued.... I also have a lot of winery photos to post. Stay tuned. The job search continues and that, unfortunately, leaves less time for blogging. But I promise to do the tireless work of visiting wineries and tasting wine... for you my devoted readers!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

This and That


Stormhoek wine has landed in The Finger Lakes. No, I'm not abandoning my beloved Finger Lakes wineries, but Stormhoek Winery in South Africa has taken a unique marketing approach by inviting wine bloggers to sample their wine. Unfortunately, my original date to have my fellow Finger Lakes wine tasters come over and taste test had to be pushed back. But my wife and I just had to take one bottle of Pinotage with us to a wedding we were attending and Wow!!! Very Fruit Forward, Medium Tannins, Just a wonderful Red. Many tasted it and it drew raves. I can't wait to try the rest.

- Finger Lakes wineries are gaining credibility as quality improves

- Younger wine drinkers helping New York wine boom

- Another New Riesling debuts in The Finger Lakes

- Go Scuba Diving in The Finger Lakes? It's true!

- Lake Trout Derby winner. I don't know how they could see in that fog last weekend?

- More Info on New Wine & Culinary Center opening June 17.

- More ways to tour the wineries

- Watkins Glen International Race Track brings IRL Fans in

- A journey along Route 20

- Carousel takes 20 years to make, but it's worth it

- You can walk where the Indians walked

- Katherine visits Crystal City and Keuka Lake

- Spitzer visits with New York farmers

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Finger Lakes News & Notes

- I lost count at over 70 medals for Finger Lakes wine at the International Eastern Wine Competition held earlier this month. Highlights include Best of Class, Riesling Champion, and Best White for Treleaven 2005 Dry Riesling, Double Gold for Anthony Road 2004 Sweet Dream, Double Gold for Atwater Estates - Estate White & Gold for 2005 Vidal Blanc & 2004 Celsius, Gold for Dr. Franks 2003 Cabernet Franc, & Gold for Fox Run 2005 Riesling. The complete Medals List can be found here.

- The New York Wine & Culinary Center Grand Opening will be June 17.

- Finger Lakes grape growers avoid April frost damage, but others aren't so fortunate.

- Various critters and insects affecting upstate New York crops.

- The Birthplace of Memorial Day gets ready for this weekend.

- Did the Finger Lakes grapes get throught this weeks cold snap ok?

- The Global Warming question continues to heat up.

- Barbara Adams is honored

- Is that 2004 vintage wine that you are drinking really all 2004?

- Wine Spectator magazine focuses on the Finger Lakes

- The Seneca Lake Wine Trolley looks like an interesting way to tour wineries, especially if you are staying up in the Geneva area.

- Sheila Livadas profiles Goose Watch Winery on Cayuga Lake.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Finger Lakes News & Notes

--Detroit sings the praises of Dr. Franks Riesling

--New Grape Genetics Research Center gets Federal Funding

--Buffalo Tacos prompt evacuations

--"Global Warming" is good for Finger Lakes wine

--Learn history while you drive

--"Green" cars will race around Seneca Lake

--Sheila Livadas' new winery profile is on Standing Stone Vineyards, our neighbor across the pond.

--And finally, to all my readers, I must apologize for the lack of posts recently. I was surprisingly laid off my job recently after 9 years there, and I've been using most of my time to try and find a new job. I thought I'd have more time for blogging, but that has not been the case. If any winery out there has any positions available in Finance or Marketing, let me know. Thank You All for your continued support!!!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Finger Lakes News & Notes

-- Newcomers see Finger Lakes land prices as a "bargain". and are quickly snapping land up.

-- And vineyard land is also being snapped up for new homes.

-- Yes, it's officially wine tasting season in the Finger Lakes.

-- Here's the Star-Gazette's Finger Lakes area Racing Guide for all you race fans. I will be attending my first NASCAR race at Watkins Glen this summer.

-- My wife attended the Seneca Lake Wine Trail's Wine & Cheese event last weekend with "the girls" (I had to stay home and work- bummer) and she reported that it was a great event and very well organized with good food and, of course, good wine.

-- I am working on a new Finger Lakes Wine Event Calendar to link to the blog. Click here for a sneak peek.

--Gas prices are starting to affect tour companies. And Camping gets a boost due to gas prices.

Friday, April 28, 2006

Finger Lakes News and Notes

-- Sheila Livadas features Heron Hill Winery in her newest winery profile.

-- Finger Lakes chefs take their bounty to New York City.

--Tickets are still available for the May 7 & 8 weekend for The Cayuga Wine Trail's Wine & Herb Festival.

-- The New York State Canal System opens in April for the first time in 33 years.

-- Tickets are on sale for 'Taste of the Finger Lakes' on May 25 at The Corning Museum of Glass featuring over 30 woneries and restaurants.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Finger Lakes Winemaker Q&A- Vinny Aliperti, Atwater Estate Vineyards

Todays winemaker Q&A is with Vinny Aliperti, winemaker at Atwater Estate Vineyards which is located on the east side of Seneca Lake. Vinny joined Atwater in 2001 after helping craft wines at Wolffer Estate in Long Island and at the esteemed Hermann J Wiemer Vineyards across the lake from Atwater. 2005 was a very good year for Vinny with his 2004 Dry Riesling and Somerset Blush each pronounced best in their class at the New York Wine & Food Classic, as well as an 89 point rating in Wine Spectator magazine for his Riesling.

WW: Briefly describe Your Philosophy of Winemaking.
VA: To make fruit forward dynamic wines that emphasize the intrinsic varietal characteristics.

WW: What is your favorite thing about making wine?
VA: The process. From the vineyard to the bottle, the process is truly unique year in and year
out. Like life, it has its setbacks and its triumphs, and at the end of the day
there is great satisfaction in pulling it all together.

WW: If you were dropped on an island and could have any 3 wines, what would they be?
VA: Beer.

WW: Do you prefer real cork, synthetic cork, or screw cap and why?
VA: Real Cork. I want a natural product in contact with another natural product.

WW:What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a winemaker?
VA: It is a whole lot of work and a whole lot of fun.

WW: What wine tasting advice would you give to someone visiting the Finger Lakes for the first time?
VA: Don't over do it, four to five winery visits per day is plenty and try to
avoid weekends in the fall

WW: What makes the Finger Lakes area special to you?
VA: Quality of life stuff like the scenery, little congestion, friendly folks etc.

WW: What is the wine you are most proud of making and why?
VA: I like them all for what they are.

WW: What new wines are in the works for your winery?
VA: We will be releasing our second Cab Franc 2004, a Cab Sauv./Merlot blend
2004, and our very first Reserve Riesling 2005

WW: If you had to be something else besides a winemaker, what would it be?
VA: Rock Star

WW: Who has been the most important person to you in your
development as a winemaker and why?
VA: I apprenticed for three years with Roman Roth at Wolffer Estate Vineyards
on Long Island. I was green and soaked up a lot.

WW: Who is your favorite musical artist or band?
VA: Bob Marley and the Wailers

My thanks to Vinny for answering my questions. Be sure to stop by Atwater during the Seneca Lake Wine Trail's "Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend" April 29 and 30. All participating wineries on The Trail will be pairing their wines with foods prepared with products from New York's own Heluva Good Cheese Company. I hear tickets are selling fast. Go to the
Seneca Lake Wine Trail website for more info about this event and also for info about The "Riesling To Visit Passport", which offers a great value on wine tastings.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Finger Lakes News & Notes

-- In an earlier post, I had mentioned that I really liked the new Fulkerson t-shirt design. I found out who the artist is. It is Carol Culhane and you can view her art at www.justmeart.com

--Here is a nice travelog on the Finger Lakes.

--Who was the"Swamp Hermit of the Finger Lakes"?

--I'd like to add my belated condolences to the family of Bill Simiele, better known as "Captain Bill" of Captain Bill's Seneca Lake Cruises. Here is a nice article on Bill.

--An Ohio reporter makes the 9 hour drive to The Finger Lakes to see and taste.

--New York Times wine reporter Eric Asimov quenches his spring fever with Riesling.

-- Bully Hill gets a mention along with Alaskan Veggie wine in the Miami Herald.

-- Henry Stark writes about Thirsty Owl and Hosmer wineries.

-- In whats being a called a blow to the Finger Lakes wine industry, Governor Pataki has vetoed 2 million dollars in this years state budget that was earmarked for promotion and marketing of the wine industry.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Wine Blogging Wednesday



Today is Wine Blogging Wednesday being hosted by the

Wine For Newbies blog and podcast. Keep an eye out for their upcoming podcast on New York state wine. This months mission is to pick a white wine other than the Big 3- Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and the Finger Lakes beloved Riesling. If you've read my blog at all, you know of my taste for Traminette. Heck, I even wrote the Traminette varietal character for Appelation America. So yes, I will shamefully use this occasion to espouse the virtues of Traminette.

First a little history. Traminette was conceived in 1965 when H.C. Barrett from the University of Illinois crossed Gewurztraminer with Johannes Seyve 23.416 (a close relative of Seyval Blanc). The seeds were subsequently planted in the University of Cornell grape-breeding program in 1968 and today it is grown in many states. It is prized in the Finger Lakes for its hardiness in cold climates.

Two weekends ago, Fulkerson Winery released their 2005 Traminette and I picked up a bottle or three. Fulkerson has been growing Traminette grapes since 1981 and their experience with this grape shines through. Fulkerson 2005 Traminette displays the fragrant floral and citrus aromas that I find heavenly in Traminette, with tastes of lime, pear, green apple, and Gewurz spice, with a long lingering and somewhat dry finish. I am a fan of Gewurztraminer, but I feel that Traminette reveals more fruit flavors and less bitterness. My wife does not like Gewurtztraminer, but she does like Traminette, so if you don't care for the spiciness of Gewurz, "Give Tram A Try". I like that. I will make "Give Tram A Try" my new slogan to convince all of America and the World to try Traminette. Buhahahah. My plan has been hatched. Food pairings that I have seen suggested for Traminette include turkey, salmon, Thai food, Mexican food, and even Easter Ham.

My thanks to Wine For Newbies for this WBW and remember: Give Tram A Try!!!!!!!

Sunday, April 09, 2006

I Am Now A Certified Wine Judge....... Not

Over the weekend I took part in the Golden Nose Wine Judging event organized by the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and I must say I had a wonderful time and met some great people. Finger Lakes wine people are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. The event was held at the beautiful Corning Museum of Glass. The premise behind the event was to train novices about wine judging and then actually have them judge Finger Lakes wine- all in one day!
Obviously, us wine novices could not be taught in one day what it takes professional wine judges many many years to achieve. But we got a good beginning foundation with short tutorials such as "The 6 S's For Successful Wine Tasting" by wine educator Lorraine Hems, "Components of Wine" by Peter Bell- winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards, "Wine Flaws" where Dave Whiting- winemaker at Red Newt Cellars, made us smell what happens when wine goes bad, "How To Identify Grape Varieties" by Chris Stamp- winemaker at Lakewood Vineyards, and "An Overview of The Finger Lakes Wine Industry" by Jim Trezise- President of The New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
Then we seperated into Judging Panels of 4-5 people, each led by a wine professional who guided us and answered our questions as we sampled and judged 6 flights, each comprised of 4 unidentified wines from the same category (Riesling, Chardonnay, etc.). We judged each wine on our own and gave it a score and then we discussed each wine with the other members of our panel to decide if it merited a medal (Gold, Silver, or Bronze). At times, there was disagreement but my panel's wine professional, Dave Whiting from Red Newt, skillfully guided us to a peaceful resolution.
It was surprisingly difficult to evaluate the sometimes very subtle nuances in the wines and my tastebuds got fatigued very quickly. But, being a wine geek, it was fun to discuss wine with others who share my obsession and get a glimpse into the life of a wine judge. I left with a new respect for them.
Saturday night, we then got to see and taste the fruits of our labor as the awards were given out by Mike Rusinko, President of The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, at a dinner at The Corning Museum of Glass. I had never been to the Museum before and I was very impressed with the facility and the food. I hope to go back and tour the museum this summer.
It was a wonderful weekend and I have to thank Paul Thomas and Liz Stamp and everyone involved for their hospitality and for putting on a great event. What I enjoyed even more than the judging was meeting a lot of wonderful people who share my enjoyment of all things wine.
Here are the award-winners of the 1st Finger Lakes Golden Nose Wine Competition:
BEST OF:
Chateua Lafayette Reneau- Owners Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Knapp Vineyards- Vignoles
Lakewood Vineyards- Cabernet Franc
Lucas Vineyards- Miss Behavin
Prejean Winery- Riesling
Red Newt Cellars- Red Newt White
Sheldrake Point- Riesling Ice Wine
Torrey Ridge- Blue Sapphire

DOUBLE GOLD:
Atwater Vineyards- Dry Rose
Earle Estates- Pear Wine
King Ferry Winery- Apple Mystique & Cabernet Franc
Lakewood Vineyards- Cabernet Franc & Niagara
Torrey Ridge- Niagara & Blue Sapphire

GOLD:
Atwater Vineyards- Somerset Blush
Amberg Wine Cellars- Chardonnay Reserve & Pegasus
Anthony Road- Devonian Red
Atwater Vineyards- Estate White
Cascata Winery- Red Velvet
Chateau Lafayette Reneau- Proprietors Reserve Chardonnay & Owners Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Fulkerson Winery- Matinee
Glenora Winery- Brut
Goosewatch Winery- Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Melody, Cabernet Sauvignon, Traminette, and White Port
Knapp Vineyards- Vignoles
Lucas Vineyards- Miss Behavin
Montezuma Winery- Cranberry Bog
Prejean Winery- Riesling
Red Newt Cellars- Red Newt White
Seneca Shore Wine Cellars- Lemberger
Shaw Vineyard- Pinot Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon
Sheldrake Point- Dry Rose, Riesling Ice Wine, & Barrel Reserve Chardonnay
Swedish Hill Vineyard- Blanc de Blanc & Cynthia Marie Port
Tickle Hill Winery- Sweetie Pie
Ventosa Vineyards- Saggio

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Finger Lakes Wine Competition Awards

Finger Lakes wineries did well at The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. See all of the award winners here. Here are the Finger Lakes wineries that won Best, Double Gold, Gold, and Silver Awards:

Best Ice Wine- Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine
Best Riesling- Chateau Lafayette Reneau Johannesberg Riesling

DOUBLE GOLD-
Miles Wine Cellars- Wisteria Blush

GOLD-
King Ferry Winery- Apple Mystique
Prejean Winery- 2004 Estate Grown Cayuga
Casa Larga Vineyard- Cab Merlot
Chateau Lafayette Reneau- 2005 Dry Riesling
Torrey Ridge Winery- 2004 Riesling
Widmer Brickstone Cellars- 2005 Semi Dry Riesling

SILVER-
Heron Hill Winery- 2002 Baco Noir Reserve
Fox Run Vineyards- 2002 Cabernet Franc
Miles Wine Cellars- 2002 Cabernet Franc
Rooster Hills Vineyards- 2004 Cabernet Franc
Ventosa Vineyards- 2003 Cabernet Franc
Chateau Lafayette Reneau- 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Lafayette Reneau- 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Dry
Casa Larga Vineyards- Dolce Blanco Cayuga White
Hosmer Winery- 2004 Cayuga
King Ferry Winery- No Oak Chardonnay
Sheldrake Point Vineyard- 2004 Waterfall Chardonnay
Swedish Hill Winery- 2004 Reserve Chardonnay
Fulkerson Winery- 2004 Diamond
Arcadian Estate Winery- Merlot
Casa Larga Vineyard- 2003 Merlot
Knapp Vineyards- Merlot
Arbor Hill- Ambrosia
Glenora Wine Cellars- 2005 Pinot Blanc
Heron Hill Winery- 2003 Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir
Goosewatch Winery- Rennaisance Red
Miles Wine Cellars- 2001 Milestone
Casa Larga Vineyard- 2005 Riesling
Glenora Wine Cellars- 2005 Riesling
Hosmer Winery- 2004 Vintners 100% Riesling
Hunt Country Vineyards- 2004 Semi Dry Riesling
Widmer Brickstone Cellars- 2005 Dry Riesling
Torrey Ridge Winery- 2003 Traminette
Widmer Brickstone- 2005 Vidal Blanc

Congratulations to all the award-winners!!!




Finger Lakes News & Notes

-- A couple of Finger Lakes wineries did well in the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.
Fulkerson Winery got a Gold for their 2004 Diamond (one of my favorites) and a Bronze for their 2004 Dry Riesling. Prejean Winery received a Gold for their 2004 Late Harvest Vignoles and a Bronze for their 2003 Chardonnay.

-- Sandra Silfven on winery trends at the Wineries Unlimited show.

--Get your tickets early for the Tierce release dinner at Red Newt on May 5th. I can't wait to try it.

-- The New York Wine & Grape Foundation honors Willy Frank with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

-- Don't forget Swedish Hill Winery and Goose Watch Winery are having their New Vintage Days celebration on April 15 & 16. Get first taste of their new vintages as well as discounts on select wines.

-- Meathead comes to Rochester.

-- Those crazy Polar Plunge people.

-- BellaOnline talks about Finger Lakes wine.

-- Here's a good update on The New York Wine & Culinary Center from Dowd's Wine Notebook.

-- Fill in the Blanc with Lenn Thompson at Wine Sediments.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Lakewood Vineyards Visit


Liz Stamp at Lakewood Vineyards pours you a tasting, answers questions from five people, runs the register, helps a customer find a bottle, and does five other things all at the same time. And all with a smile! I was only there for 20 minutes, but I was exhausted after watching Liz. Lakewood Vineyards is a true family winery, with the entire family involved in running the winery. I've even seen the children practicing their sales skills in front of the winery. Even the winery dogs, who are beautiful Australian Shepherds (Having 2 Aussies of our own, we know that their charm can not be resisted), do their part in retaining customers. The Stamps have been growing grapes in the Finger Lakes for over 50 years and started Lakewood in 1988. They make about 25,000 cases of wine per year and it is a beautiful place to stop and taste their wine offerings.


Here are my tasting notes for our visit: 2003 Dry Vignoles, $9.99, Bright citrus aromas with the light taste of oak and vanilla. 2004 Chardonnay, $12.99, Very nicely balanced with slight oak overtones. 2004 Vignoles, $8.99, Tastes of citrus and pineapple, with a touch of honey and finishing nice and light, An excellent wine at a great price. 2003 Cabernet Franc, $15.99, Nice aromas of raspberry/blackberry with a raspberry jammy start with some smoky pepperriness and finishing soft and balanced. 2002 Port, Made from Baco Noir with ripe fruit aromas, sweet, rich, and decadent, a lovely dessert wine. We also scored a sample of the Just Bottled and Not Yet Released 2005 Riesling. All I can say is, if this Riesling is representative of the 2005 crop, then it's going to be a good year. Even newly bottled, it showed awesome floral aromas and a perfect balance of citrus and mineral. Also, see my post right after this for the Q&A with Lakewood winemaker Chris Stamp.

Winemaker Q & A - Chris Stamp, Lakewood Vineyards

Name & title: Chris Stamp, Winemaker/VP

Winery name: Lakewood Vineyards

WW: Briefly describe your philosophy of winemaking:
CS: It's all about the fruit. We're non-elitist. There are very few bad grape varieties for making wine, but a whole lot of bad ways to make wine. We strive to find the best approach to unlock the greatest beauty in each variety.

WW: If you were dropped on an island and could have any 3 wines, what would they be?
CS: Which island? Different wines go better with different islands.

WW: Do you prefer real cork, synthetic cork, or screw cap and why?
CS: Natural cork. One of the characteristics of wine that separates it from widgets is sensuality. You put a screw cap on and you take the sensuality out.

WW: What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a winemaker?
CS: It's not a romantic job. You'll have a lot of dirty T-shirts at the end of the day.

WW: What wine tasting advice would you give to someone visiting the Finger Lakes for the first time?
CS: Get here soon, before the rest of the world discovers us. The lines will be shorter and the prices more attractive.

WW: What makes the Finger Lakes are special to you?
CS: How can a place this beautiful not be over run with humanity?

WW: What is the wine you are the most proud of making and why?
CS: That's like asking me which one of my kids is my favorite. We give 110% to every one of our wines. The rest of the equation is up to God.

WW: What new wines are in the works for your winery?
CS: It's top secret. If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

WW: Who are your 3 favorite Finger Lakes winemakers?
CS: There's not a one of them I don't consider a friend. I think I'll take the fifth.

WW: What are your 3 favorite non-Finger Lakes wines?
CS: Do they make wine other places?? Seriously, it's a moving target, but I'd have to say, Peju Province Cabernet Franc, Alsatian Gewurztraminer, and Gran Reserve Tempranillo from the Rioja region.

WW: If you had to be something else besides a winemaker, what would it be?
CS: Beer maker. Is there a pattern emerging here?

WW: Who has been the most important person to you in your development as a winemaker and why?
CS: My dad. His homemade wine was so bad I was inspired to study the right way to do it.

WW: Who is your favorite musical artist or band?
CS: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band.

WW: Who is your favorite movie actor?
CS: Certainly nobody from "Sideways." Maybe Gene Hackman. He was awesome in "Unforgiven," one of my favorite movies.

My thanks to Chris for answering my questions and for making great wine. See my post above for my visit and tasting notes on Lakewood Vineyards.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Finger Lakes Winery Visit Report


We visited about 10 wineries this weekend and
I will post reports over the next week or so.
We had to start at Fulkerson because I couldn't wait to taste the new Traminette that was just being released this weekend. And it did not disappoint. Awesome floral and citrus scents with a citrus-grapefruit bite into a lightly spiced crisp finish. Being a huge Traminette fan, this one's a winner in my book.




Our friendly server Margaret also gave us a taste of the new Matinee, made from Himrod grapes, which are a small seedless white grape variety. Himrod was developed at The New York Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva as a cross between Ontario and Thompson Seedless grapes. The truly unique thing about this wine is its aroma and taste of mint. It is an excellent and unique sweet white wine with 8% Residual Sugar.





I was also very impressed with their new T-shirt design, featuring a heart-shaped grape wreath with the Finger Lakes drawn in the center. I don't know who the designer is, but it's one of the nicest designs I have seen for Finger Lakes winery apparel.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

I'm Back

-- I go on vacation to Florida for some sun and Florida has record low temperatures while I'm there. Of course, their low temperatures are only in the 40's overnight and the 60's during the day, but Floridians act like it's 10 below zero. I'm running around without a coat and they call me crazy. Anyway, it was good to get away for a while, but it's good to be back home.

-- Here is a great story on the man who founded the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

--Here is an article on how the new Immigration Reform Bill may affect Finger Lakes wineries.

-- Here is a nice story about a Finger Lakes dairy farm.

-- A California writer praises Finger Lakes Riesling (specifically 2005 Treleaven Dry Riesling)

-- The Rochester Winos sounds like a club I'd like to join.

-- For those of you out of state, here is a nice list of New York wineries and what states they are licensed to deliver to.

-- I'll be making the rounds at the wineries this weekend, so I'll report on Monday.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

On Vacation, Next Post- March 30


The Weekend Wino is heading to Florida for a well-deserved vacation to get rid of the winter blahs. I'll be back in a week with more posts. In the meantime, please check out my archives (lower right) for posts you may have missed and check out my links at the right. Thanks for reading my blog! Talk to ya in a week.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Finger Lakes Wine News & Notes

-- I attended some portions of the Wineries Unlimited trade show last week. My thanks to Richard Leahy of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine for his hospitality. Here is a good wrapup of the event by Sandra Silfven of The Detroit News. A lot of Finger Lakes winemakers were on hand and the keynote speech by Ernst Loosen, Decanter's Man Of The Year, was about the New Rise of Riesling around the world.

--Jeff Richards new wine column is about the upcoming Golden Nose event presented by the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. A certain blogger may be in attendance.

-- Here is a good article on the similarities of Italy's Tuscany region to the Finger Lakes.

--Here is a good article on the wine industry boom in the Finger Lakes.

--Sheila Livadas' current winery profile is about Arbor Hill Grapery located on the west side of Canandaigua Lake.

-- The new Spring "Life In The Finger Lakes" magazine is now out with good articles on Letchworth State Park and notable women from the Finger Lakes, as well as their usual awesome photography.

-- There's an interesting wine harvest diary at decanter.com

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Finger Lakes Winemaker Q&A

This Q&A is with Peter Bell, winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards. Before coming to Fox Run, Bell crafted wine for wineries in Australia and New Zealand and then went on to Dr. Franks Wine Cellars in 1990. He was hired at Fox Run in 1995 and has helped Fox Run to become one of the premier wineries in the Finger Lakes, producing world class wines with a "Minimal Intervention" approach. Peter is a tireless promoter of Finger Lakes wine and he has earned the respect as one of the finest winemakers in the region.

WW: Briefly describe Your Philosophy of Winemaking.
PB: To gently guide grapes from the vine into the bottle.

WW: What is your favorite thing about making wine?
PB: Being able to show up at work and do what I love ­ and be paid for it.
Is this a dream?

WW: If you were dropped on an island and could have any 3
wines, what would they be?
PB: 1. Any Finger Lakes Dry Riesling ­ the ultimate refresher.
2. Fox Run Tawny Port, because a tiny thimbleful would go such a long
way.
3. A bottle of Champagne, to open when the ship came to rescue me --
and I wouldn't need a corkscrew!

WW: Do you prefer real cork, synthetic cork, or screw cap and why?
PB: We use all three. Corks are great in most cases, but screw caps are the
future.

WW: What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a winemaker:
PB: Become an organ donor. The world needs more Hammonds and Wurlitzers.
Then we'll talk.

WW: What wine tasting advice would you give to someone visiting the Finger
Lakes for the first time?
PB: Spit, don't swallow. It's going to be a big day.

WW: What makes the Finger Lakes area special to you?
PB: Those long, finger-shaped bodies of water.

WW: What is the wine you are most proud of making and why?
PB: My Ports .­ I have about 20 barrels of Port and they are all different.

WW: What new wines are in the works for your winery?
PB: Our next bottling of Fox Run Tawny Port, late this summer.

WW: Who are your 3 favorite Finger Lakes winemakers?
PB: This would be like choosing my favorite child. I have immense respect
for everybody here.

WW: What are your 3 favorite Non-Finger Lakes wines?
PB: Pol Roger Champagne, Tio Pepe Sherry, Hardy's McLaren Vale Grenache.
My address for deliveries is...

WW: If you had to be something else besides a winemaker,
what would it be?
PB: A university lecturer (in wine science, of course).

WW: Who has been the most important person to you in your
development as a winemaker and why?
PB: Thomas Henick-Kling, Professor of Enology at Cornell University, and
Scott Osborn, President of Fox Run: Both heroes of mine.

WW: Who is your favorite musical artist or band?
PB: How about my favorite 50 musical artists...

My thanks to Peter Bell for answering my questions. If you are visiting the Finger Lakes, be sure to visit Fox Run Vineyards, located on the west side of Seneca Lake.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Finger Lakes News Nuggets

-- President Bush will be visiting the Finger Lakes area tomorrow (Tuesday, March 14) with a visit to Canandaigua. Maybe the Prez will stop by the Finger Lakes Wine Center at beautiful Sonnenberg Gardens to sample some Finger Lakes wine. Of course, he would have to spit. You can't drink on duty when you are Commander In Chief. But I hear that his daughters have been known to sip a glass or two or three...

-- My secret Finger Lakes informant "Deep Vine" tells me the name of Red Newt's new refreshing Niagara will be 'Blue Newt White' and "Deep Vine" says that Lakewood Vineyard's 2005 Rieslings are outstanding. In fact, I've been hearing that overall both the Reds and Whites of 2005 will be some of the best produced in the Finger Lakes. Of course, we will have to wait for most of the reds.

-- Don't forget, if you want a chance to rub shoulders with the winemakers of the Finger Lakes and learn how to judge wine, then you'll want to attend the Golden Nose Wine Judging Weekend, a Seneca Lake Wine Trail event. Tickets are still available but I hear they are going fast.

-- Here's some news from our neighbors at Fulkerson Winery:
Recently released wines:
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon- 0%rs, $16.00, 8 months in French Oak, Generous
Fruit forward aromas of blackberries with a touch of leather and tobacco
carry through to a fruity tart taste edged with vanilla that ends on a
serious tannic note.
2004 Vincent- 0%rs, $9.00, 12 months in older French & American Oak,
Awaken your palate with this dense puple red. Nice plum and tea leaf aromas
with a mouth filling juicy taste followed by a kick of tart elderberry. Enjoy
with chicken cacciatore, spicy foods and "a rich Italian"...!
Centennial- 9.8%rs, $14.00, A wine produced for our 200th anniversary
on the farm. So good we brought it back for the 201st year! A candied wild
cherry aroma with a touch of mint followed by a sweet pomegranate tropical
taste.
Notes:
Fulkerson Winery has been busy bottling many wines from the 2004-2005
harvest's. Bottled and soon to be released in the coming months
are: 2004 Reserve Red, 2004 Pinot Noir, 2004 Cabernet Franc,
2004 Gewurztraminer, 2005 Traminette, 2005 Ravat 51 and the Sunset
Blush (Catawba) from '05.
We are soon to run out of the following varieties, so come and get them
while you still can: 2003 Vidal Ice Wine, 2002 Gewurztraminer, 2003
Reserve
Red, 2003 Chardonnay, 2004 Dry Riesling and 2004 Johannisberg Riesling.
The Fulkerson family and staff would like to pass on their heart felt
condolences to the Frank family and the staff at Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine
Cellars & Chateau Frank for the passing of Willy Frank, one of the Finger
Lake region's great leaders in the wine industry.

-- I received news of a new wine made by not one winery, but three; an unprecedented collaboration by 3 of the Finger Lakes top wineries. I can't wait to try it. Here is the press release:
Anthony Road Wine Company, Fox Run Vineyards and Red Newt Wine Cellars are proud to announce the debut of Tierce, a 2004 Dry Riesling, marking a new collaborative effort in Finger Lakes winemaking. Tierce Dry Riesling will be released on May 5, 2006, kicking off the Riesling Month celebration.Peter Bell of Fox Run, Johannes Reinhardt of Anthony Road and David Whiting of Red Newt, each contributed a portion of Riesling wine, made from fruit grown on the slopes of Seneca Lake, to create 100 cases of a single wine. "This wine pulls together not only the unique vineyard expressions of Seneca Lake, but also the individual philosophies of the participating winemakers," commented Dave Whiting, winemaker and co-owner of Red Newt.Peter, Johannes and Dave not only decided what blend to create, they also chose to seal the bottle with a screw cap because this type of closure works well for wines with delicate aromas, such as a Riesling. Fox Run's winemaker, Peter Bell, noted that, "Screw caps with Riesling wines are quite clearly the way of the future. Corks, natural or synthetic, have a tendency to affect the wine¹s aroma."Fox Run's owner, Scott Osborn, stated, " This is a new level of collaboration among Finger Lakes wineries. In the past, wineries and winemakers have shared information, but this marks the first time three Finger Lakes wineries have worked together to produce and market a wine.""The wine reflects the passion of the three winemakers and opens the door to a new Riesling experience" commented Johannes Reinhardt, of Anthony Road, when asked about this team effort.

--Don't forget to visit my links on the right side of the page. And if you want to receive monthly updates on Finger Lakes news and events, just fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Finger Lakes Wines Do Well In Florida Competition

-- A few weeks ago, I touted Torrey Ridge Winery's Delaware wine-
( We opened a bottle of Torrey Ridge Delaware this week and I remembered why we had purchased it. In my experience, most wines made from the native Delaware grape are too grapey for my taste. But this white wine moderates that grapiness and sweetness with a crisp acidity that really makes a good and balanced wine. So, if you are a fan of native grape varieties, I'd recommend the Torrey Ridge Delaware.) Well now the Florida State Fair Wine Competition judges have bestowed a Double Gold award to Torrey Ridge for their Niagara wine. Obviously, Torrey Ridge is doing wonderful things with native grapes just when many have dismissed native grapes as sweet, grapey, and lacking balance or complexity.
Finger Lakes wineries fared very well at the Florida State Fair Wine Competition, snaring a total of 119 medals. Here are the Gold and Double Gold medal winners:

Torrey Ridge Winery Niagara- Double Gold
Torrey Ridge Winery 2003 Traminette- Gold
Goose Watch Winery 2004 Melody- Gold

Hosmer Winery 2004 Cabernet Franc- Gold
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2004 Semi-Dry Riesling Estate Bottled- Gold
Sheldrake Point Vineyard 2004 Petite Dry Rose- Gold
Sheldrake Point Vineyard 2004 Riesling Ice Wine- Gold
Swedish Hill Winery Svenska Blush- Gold
Swedish Hill Winery Viking Red- Gold

Thursday, March 09, 2006

A Sad Day For The Finger Lakes

-- I just heard the sad news that Willy Frank of Dr. Frank Wine Cellars passed away in Florida on Tuesday from a stroke. Willy was 80 years old. He was a tireless promoter of Dr. Frank wines and of Finger Lakes wines and a first-class individual. He took over the winery founded by his father, Finger Lakes wine pioneer Dr. Konstantin Frank, and molded it in to a world-class wine company. The entire Finger Lakes wine industry owes a debt of gratitude to Willy and his father. Here is the Star-Gazette article. Tonight, I will raise my glass to toast a wonderful winemaker and man. Here's to you Willy Frank- Heaven has a new winemaker
extraordinaire!!! I'd like to read any memories or comments you may have about Willy Frank.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Wine Blogging Wednesday


First I'd like to thank Jathan at wineexpression.com, our host for this months WBW, for forcing me well out of my wine comfort zone of United States wine and into France's Rhone wine region. Being a wine simpleton at this stage (but wanting to learn), I knew nothing about French wine and have, in fact, found it somewhat baffling with labels in a code that I had not the knowledge to crack(I guess learning some French would help). But this exercise gave me the impetus to learn more, and learning more about wine was one of the reasons that I started this blog.

After researching what I was to look for and what was available in my area, I chose an E.Guigal 2001 Cotes du Rhone Blanc for $12.99. The price was right and it was from the right place. I had no preconceived notions of this wine and had no idea whether it was dry or off-dry. The wine is a blend of 33% Rousanne, 25% Clairette, 25% Viognier, 15% Bourbolene, and 2% Grenache Blanc, meeting this WBW's stated requirements of a Rhone blend.

The wine was a pale straw color and exhibited very faint hints of mineral and petroleum and not much else. At first sip, I noted bitter tastes of mineral and petroleum-alcohol that overpowered the fruit, with hints of oak and pepper. Not a very good first impression. Since I have had other white wines that started out of the bottle like this, but then benefited greatly from some air time, I decided to let my glass sit for a while. I asked this question before, but I will ask all of you more experienced wine people again- Should white wine be decanted? In searching the internet, I can find very few references to decanting white wine but, in my experience, some white wines really evolve for the better after some air time.

And such was the case for this wine. After about 20 minutes, the heavy petroleum-alcohol had mellowed and revealed hints of butter, citrus, and even vanilla, actually reminding me of a Chardonnay. But still the petro-alcohol was over the top. Perhaps the 13% alcohol was too much for my taste. As time went by, the wine got a little better for me, but it would not be a wine that I would buy again.

In searching for other reviews of this wine, I could hardly believe that I was drinking the same wine as other reviewers. Most also rated it average, but they noted tastes of pear, honeysuckle, pineapple, green apple, and papaya that just were not there for me. Perhaps 5 years was too long for this wine or perhaps I just got what I paid for- a low-priced wine. So, in summary, this wine was just ok for me, but this WBW did force me to learn much more about French wine than I knew before. And to me, that is success. For the pursuit of knowledge is always a noble thing. Thanks Again Jathan!!!

Monday, March 06, 2006

March Wine Events

-- The Seneca Lake Wine Trail has their 'Cruisin The Tropics' Weekend March 25 & 26 to beat the winter blues and start Spring off early. Participating wineries will be pairing tropical foods with wine and the wineries will each have a tropical theme. Think of it as Jimmy Buffett meets the Finger Lakes. Get your tickets now because these events usually sell out quickly.

-- The Cayuga Wine Trail has their 'Meet The Winemakers' Weekend March 18 & 19, where participating wineries on Cayuga Lake give you special tastings and the winemakers discuss and answer your questions about their wines. This is a unique opportunity to meet with the winemakers of your favorite wines.

-- Hunt Country, Heron Hill, and Dr. Frank wineries are having their Spring Break weekend March 25 & 26 featuring wine tastings and live Classic Rock music to welcome the Spring in. This event is free at all 3 wineries.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Finger Lakes News Droplets

-- Sheldrake Point Vineyard's award-winning ice wine was served in The White House last month.

-- Congratulations to Mike Rusinko, the new president of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance.

-- 3 articles on tourism in The Finger Lakes- Brad Phillips, director of marketing at Hazlitt talks about the winery perspective, Molly McCarthy at the Star-Gazette writes about the future of Finger Lakes tourism, and Larry Wilson at the Star-Gazette writes on the success of Finger Lakes Wine Country's ad campaign.

-- Wine tasting bloggers give Chateau Lafayette Reneau Riesling high marks.

-- Here is a good review on a book about the Iriquois Confederacy that once inhabited The Finger Lakes.

-- Wagner Vineyards has some beer and wine specials and special events this month.

-- Don't forget to visit the websites listed at the right side of this page for more wine info.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Finger Lakes Winemaker Interview

Readers of this blog have been asking me for more in-depth postings about Finger Lakes wine and winemakers and now, through the generosity of the fine winemakers of The Finger Lakes, I will be posting Q&A's with Finger Lakes Winemakers.

My first Q & A is with one of the premier winemakers in the region, Thomas Laszlo - Vice President of Winemaking Operations at Heron Hill Winery. Laszlo crafted top-notch wines with wineries in Canada and Hungary, before coming to Heron Hill in 2002, and he is especially praised for his ice wines.

WW: Briefly describe Your Philosophy of Winemaking:
TL: Attention to detail in the vineyard and the winery. Intervene only when
intervention will yield the best results.

WW: What is your favorite thing about making wine?
TL: It is a great creative outlet. I enjoy pushing the boundaries of
winemaking science with creative intuition.

WW: If you were dropped on an island and could have any 3
wines, what would they be?
TL: Chateau Pajzos 2000 Tokaji Aszueszencia, J.J. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr
1990 Riesling Auslese, Heron Hill 2003 Estate Riesling Icewine

WW: Do you prefer real cork, synthetic cork, or screw cap and why?
TL: Real cork. I like the feel and texture of cork. I like to see how cork
ages and changes in bottle after decades yet still seals the wine perfectly.

WW: What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a winemaker?
TL: Drink a lot of different wine all the time for 4 solid years. During this
time read all that you can about viticulture and winemaking. Look to
apprentice under somtimes difficult, opinionated winemakers who are at the
top in their class.

WW: What wine tasting advice would you give to someone
visiting the Finger Lakes for the first time?
TL: Taste all the whites and know that Riesling is World Class in the Finger
Lakes. Taste the red wines and keep an open mind. Do not compare to other
red wine growing regions. Find out what is special in our reds.

WW: What makes the Finger Lakes area special to you?
TL: The best terroir for Riesling in North America and maybe the best in all
of the New World. Scenic and undisturbed.

WW: What is the wine you are most proud of making and why:
TL: Heron Hill Riesling Reserve Dry and Icewine from our Estate vineyard
planted in my birth year: 1968. Intense MINERAL!

WW: What new wines are in the works for your winery:
> 2005 Ingle Vineyard Select Late Harvest Chardonnay (Botrytis affected)
2005 "Old Vines" Riesling (youngest 32 years and oldest 38 years), 2005 Late
Harvest Muscat

WW: Who are your 3 favorite Finger Lakes winemakers?
TL: Herman Wiemer, Morton Hallgren, Peter Bell

WW: What are your 3 favorite Non-Finger Lakes wines?
TL: Chat.Calon Segur (3rd Growth St.Estephe) Chat. Lafite-Rothschild,
Egon Muller Scharzhof Riesling, Saar,Germany

WW: If you had to be something else besides a winemaker, what would it be?
TL: Master Carpenter

WW: Who has been the most important person to you in your
development as a winemaker and why?
TL: My Wife. She introduced me to winegrowing in Niagara,Ontario during
college. She has always supported and sacrificed for my pursuit in winemaking.

WW: Who is your favorite musical artist or band?
TL: Grateful Dead

WW: Who is your favorite movie actor?
TL: Clint Eastwood

WW: Any other comments you would like to add?
TL: Every now and again when you have some extra cash buy a really top notch
wine of pedigree and prepare a simple Sunday meal around it and enjoy with
one to three other persons.

Once again, Thanks to Thomas Laszlo for taking the time to answer my questions. Heron Hill is a first-class operation and is a must-see winery for anyone visiting the Finger Lakes. For more information on Heron Hill Winery, visit their website and see my blog post (Look in November archives at right side of page) on my visit there last year. Stay tuned for more winemaker Q&A's.

Sunday, February 26, 2006

News & Notes

-- Calling all wineries from around the world, don't forget that the deadline of March 27, 2006 is fast approaching to submit your wine for entry into the 2006 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition with judging being done April 1-2 in Rochester NY. Last year's event attracted over 1600 wines from around the world.

-- Lenn at LennDevours blog clued me in to an interesting feature on the Appellation America website. They have descriptions of grape varieties paired with artistic renderings of those grape personality profiles. They also have a good reference page for the Finger Lakes appellation. You can also submit your own descriptions of grape varieties that do not have descriptions yet. I submitted a description for one of my favorite Finger Lakes grapes, the Traminette grape developed at Cornell University-
Traminette-> You are the daughter of that spicy bad girl of grape royalty, Gewurtzraminer and that dependable hard-working gentlemen Seyval Blanc. You have your fathers balance and strong backbone, but you have your mothers zest for life. You are a perfect spring garden of floral scents whipped by the winds of enchantment. You are the Princess Diana of the grape world. On the outside, you may appear to be the quiet and obeying wife, but on the inside there is a fire that longs to seduce anyone who ventures to know you.

-- Glenora Wine Cellars is running some wine specials: Monarch Cabernet – a fruit forward, easy drinking red, $8.99 for a 1.5L or $6.99 for a 750ml. Catawba – light, refreshing and grape flavored, $9.99 for the party size 1.5L.
Or if you need a little incentive to re-stock your wine cellar, order a full case of wine (either on line or by phone) and use coupon RESTOCK06 and they'll take an extra 5% off your purchase. (That’s a total of 20% per case!) Also, in their recent newsletter, they answer a question that has been on my mind, what with the unusual winter weather in the Finger Lakes this year:

"How are the vines doing, is the question that we often hear at this time of year as many of our friends and customers are concerned if the winter has caused damage to the vines (actually the fruiting buds.)
Each grape variety has a different tolerance to cold temperatures ranging from 0 degrees Fahrenheit for a variety such as Merlot to minus 5 to 10 degrees for Riesling and Chardonnay, to a minus 15 for many of the native varieties.
Unfortunately it not quite as clear cut as just being a “temperature only thing.” Other factors that can impact a vines’ ability to withstand winter cold temperatures would be the stresses of the previous growing season (heavy crop, lack of rain, and disease pressure). Probably the biggest potential for bud damage is an extreme rapid change in temperature. We are definitely walking the tightrope now with respect to “some possible bud damage” to “significant bud damage.” Our weather pattern this past week has been one that could create issues for us. Temperatures reached a high of 55 degrees last Thursday night then started to decline. By Sunday morning we were at 7 degrees. We will be cutting buds to check for damage this week. Keep your fingers crossed!" The Weekend Wino will certainly be saying a prayer for the vines!

--Sheila Livadas at FingerLakesWine.com writes her latest Finger Lakes winery profile on Atwater Estate Vineyards, located on the east side of Seneca Lake.