By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief

Brookview_whistlestop

I'm excited to publish this review, not because the wine is going to knock your socks off or something I'd rush out to buy again and again, but because it represents a new category of adult beverages being covered here on the NYCR — fruit wines.

Many people scoff at the category without even exploring the wines within it, but I'm enthusiastic to try and learn about anything, including fruit wines in the Hudson Valley — and there are a lot being made there.

And you know what, I think this Brookview Station Winery Whistle Stop White ($13) has its place, even if it's not something I'd want to drink every day.

The nose is simple, showing fresh-cut apple and something lightly floral. It brings more of the same to a medium-bodied palate that shows a bit of sugary sweetness at first, but finished almost dry, with a little rustic apple skin bitterness that actually worked quite well.

Some of the other apple/pear wines I tasted next to this one showed a disappointing bit of alcoholic heat on the finish, but this one didn't, making it one of my favorites from the lineup.

On it's own, you can do much better for $13, but with a hunk of crusty bread and some bold cheese, I think it'd be pretty satisfying.

Producer: Brookview Station Winery
ABV:
13%
Price: $13*
Rating:    25 (2.5 out of 5 | Average-to-Very Good)

(*Ratings Guide)