Posts Written OnSeptember 2014

Heron Hill Winery 2012 Reserve Riesling

    You don’t see “reserve” on Finger Lakes wine labels as much as you used to (a topic that Evan will explore in an upcoming feature story). Heron Hill Winery, located high above the western shores of Keuka Lake, still uses the term on an entire line of wines. These wines, as I guess you should expect given the label, are often among their best, though I’m partial some of the Ingle Vineyard wines too. Heron Hill Winery 2012 Reserve Riesling ($25) starts off with aromas of green apple, peach, lime and citrus blossom — pretty classic Finger Lakes —…

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Hudson-Chatham Winery 2012 River’s Edge Casscles Vineyard Reserve

Many wine lovers turn their collective noses up at wines made with hybrid grapes. While obscure varieties from dark corners of European countries are sought out and embraced, grapes like Corton Noir, De Chaunac, Frontenac, Marechal Foch, Traminette and La Crosse are shunned. I’d be lying if I told you I was, generally, a fan of hybrid wines, but I do have one thing that many wine lovers don’t have — an open mind. I’ll try any wine made with any grape (or fruit really) once. Okay, maybe even twice. There are hybrids that I don’t care for very much (I’m…

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Forge Cellars 2012 Les Allies Pinot Noir

When Forge Cellars burst onto the Finger Lakes wine scene with the 2011 vintage, it was with plenty of noise and fanfare. A famous French winemaker will do that for any New York wine project. The label’s first release — an oak-aged riesling — has inspired several other Finger Lakes winemakers to try it. But for all of the attention the Forge riesling garners, there are plenty of outstandingly delicious rieslings in the Finger Lakes, in a variety of styles. The Forge wines that have captured my attention most are the pinot noirs — in part because there simply aren’t many…

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Hosmer Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

  I drink a lot of New York sauvignon blanc — especially in the summer — but it’s nearly all from Long Island, where the grape thrives consistently, almost regardless of vintage. The handful of Finger Lakes bottlings that I’ve tried over the years have always underwhelmed, often tasting thin and uninteresting. This Hosmer Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc ($16) just might make it into the rotation — especially at the price. The nose is bright,  with surprisingly complex aromatics — gooseberry and green melon with sweet floral notes, tarragon and sandalwood. As it warms, it becomes less about the fruit aromas and…

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Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Reminisce” Sauvignon Blanc

With aromas of pink grapefruit, gooseberry and sweet melon — with just the faintest bell pepper note — Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Reminisce” Sauvignon Blanc ($22) is a fine representation of Long Island sauvignon blanc that shows both typicity and style. Medium bodied, the palate is snappy with grapefruit and melon flavors up front with savory herbal accents that linger through a long, mouth-watering finish. The mid-palate shows wonderful, juicy texture, which helps make this a standout. Producer: Anthony Nappa Wines AVA: North Fork of Long Island Brix: 22 (average) Harvest Date(s): September 23, 2013 Vineyard Source: Raphael (Peconic, NY) …

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5 Questions with… Meg Tipton, Keuka Spring Vineyards

Keuka Spring Vineyards has received a lot of attention the last couple years especially after receiving the Governor’s Cup trophy for their 2012 Riesling at last year’s annual New York Wine & Food Classic competition. One of the people diligently working hard to make it all happen is assistant winemaker Meg Tipton. Tipton had already found her career path, for years working at an ad agency an then as a director for an international housewares company. When her family however relocated to Rochester she decided it was time to pursue a passion and enrolled at Viticultre program at Finger Lakes Community…

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New York Cork Report Featured on Grape Collective

Things have been a bit slow here at the NYCR this week. Many of got our kids back to school this week and I think I can speak for the whole team when I say that it’s been hectic. We’ll return to regular programming next week, but in the meantime I realized this morning that I forgot to mention that NYCR was featured as part of Grape Collective’s “Speakeasy” series, wherein contributing editor Jameson Fink (also of Wine Without Worry fame) interviewed me about things ranging from Randall Grahm to Finger Lakes riesling to my affection for craft beer. I…

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Empire State Cellars Wine Club: September 2014 Selections

Harvest season is nearly upon us across New York wine country. In fact, I’ve heard reports of grapes destined for sparkling wine coming in this week. It’s a busy time of year at every winery — and it has been for me too as we worked to finalize this month’s picks. This is a pretty classic ESC club shipment — we focus on the grapes that regions do best as well as some of New York’s top producers. I hope you enjoy the picks as much as my friends and I have of late. “Hello New York” Wines Raphael 2013…

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Tasting for Terroir in Cold Climates

Harvest is closing in fast and winery tasks are in high gear, whether it be crush pad prep or the bottling of last year’s vintages. From large producers to little amateur outfits like our own, the story is the same as one season rolls quickly into the next, and what comes in through one door must pass out another and make room in between. While I was bench testing blends for the 2013 whites, I got to thinking about a very interesting and informative cold-climate tasting from earlier this summer, when it seemed like we still had all the time…

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