June_07This month’s New York Cork Club selections bring together one wine you’d expect with something you might not.

Treleaven 2006 Dry Riesling ($14.50)
is the one you’d expect — a riesling from the Finger Lakes (Cayuga Lake to be more specific). I swear that I’m trying not to send you guys riesling after riesling. I could do so easily. But, when I tasted this one, I thought it was a fine example at a very good price. Apple, pear and that lime zing I find in so many Finger Lakes wines are all here, along with great acidity and a faint mineral note on a surprisingly long finish.

Wolffer Estate, in the Hamptons AVA on Long Island is best know for chardonnay, merlot and it’s always-popular rose. But over the past few vintages, winemaker Roman Roth has hand selected some pinot gris grapes from the North Fork to make Wolffer Estate’s 2006 Pinot Gris ($24) this medium-bodied, elegant wine. Blended with 12% chardonnay, this wine is anything but your average pinot grigio. Peaches, pears and faint citrus greet the nose with similar flavors on the palate that are joined by blanched almonds, honeydew and gentle acidity, Roth only made 230 case of this wine, so it’s really only available to their Winemaker’s Circle. But, I was able to convince them to sell us some for the club. Enjoy.

Working on the New York Cork Club has proven to be even more fun than I could have imagined. I’m tasting all sorts of interesting and unique wines from all over the Empire State.

Learn more about the New York Cork Club and join today.