NYCR-transparent1

Posts Tagged“finger lakes”

The Straight Answer on Salmon Run Wines from Fred Frank, President, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars

fredfrank

My post last week about American Airlines deciding to pour a couple New York wines on cross-country flights stirred up quite a discussion in the comments. The question was: we the Dr. Konstantin Frank wine included really a New York wine? I decided to go right to the source, sending an email to Frederick Frank, president of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars. I asked him flat out about the origins of the grapes that go into the Salmon Run line of wines. Here’s his response and although he didn’t address the riesling’s orgins directly, I think we can read…

Continue Reading

Meet Mickey Mouse. Drink New York Wines.

swan_dolphin

I just got an email telling me that Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s Blue Zoo restaurant will soon be pouring six, count em six, New York wines. So, now you can take your kids to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse…and then enjoy some some delectable Finger Lakes and Long Island wines with dinner. The wines chosen by Blue Zoo’s team are: Atwater Estate Cabernet Franc Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Riesling Heron Hill Semi-Dry Riesling Sheldrake Point Riesling (my review) Raphael La Fontana Wolffer Estate Selection Chardonnay I’ve had all of these wines with the exception of Atwater’s cab…

Continue Reading

WTN: Sheldrake Point 2005 Dry Riesling

sheldrakepoint05dryries

As a resident of the great state of New York resident, I have at least somewhat ready access to a plethora of great local Rieslings. German — particularly those from the Mosel — are my absolute favorites, but the Finger Lakes region is responsible for what I consider to be the best bottles this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Truth be told, vinifera grapes shouldn’t succeed in central New York. But, the narrow, deep Finger Lakes gather and hold enough heat in the summer to stretch the growing season into the fall and stave off early frosts. As anyone who…

Continue Reading

Why I Hate Synthetic Corks (aka Bad Choices)

So I sat down last night to review a few different wines from Standing Stone Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region of New York. It’s a well-known producer and I’ve enjoyed both their dry vidal and vidal ice wine in the past. Then I opened my only bottle of their 2003 Pinot Noir ($26). As I slipped the capsule off, I was surprised to see a synthetic cork. In my experience, few wineries use them on a wine over $15 dollars — particularly not one that should have some cellar worthiness. So I extract the cork and pour… Something is…

Continue Reading

WTN: Standing Stone Vineyards Smokehouse Dry Vidal (Finger Lakes)

standingstone_dryvidal

Vidal (or vidal blanc) is a hybrid grape that doesn’t get the respect it deserves — at least when it’s done well. No, it’s not as rich and complex at a well-made, balance chardonnay and it doesn’t have the bright elegance of riesling. But, as far as white hybrids go, it’s among my favorites. Vidal is perhaps best known for it’s role in some delicious late harvest and ice style wines from Canadian and upstate New York producers. But, with high acidity and medium body, dry renditions can be tremendously refreshing and food friendly. Standing Stone Vineyards NV Smokehouse Dry…

Continue Reading

WTN: Sheldrake Point 2002 Cabernet Franc

Sheldrake Point — both the geographical point and the vineyard — jut prominently from the western shore of Cayuga Lake and those vineyards stretch almost the whole way to the water. The combination of deep glacial soils and the moderating effects of Cayuga Lakes deep waters provide superior conditions for growing fine quality vinifera wine grapes — a unique microclimate that they call the ‘Sheldrake Effect’. The 400-foot depths just off of their beach heat and cool more slowly than the surrounding land. The resulting hillside microclimate lengthens our growing season to 170 days, more than two weeks longer than…

Continue Reading

Winners From the New York Wine and Food Classic

This week, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard’s 2005 Dry Riesling ($16) defeated 702 other New York wines to win the Governor’s Cup, awarded to the events best wine. Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars was named New York’s "Winery of the Year" based on the number, and level, of medals its wines won. Sponsored and run by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF), a nonprofit statewide trade organization based in the in newly opened New York Wine and Culinary Center. Howard Goldberg reported in the New York Times, "The wine industry and influential wine periodicals treat the contest as…

Continue Reading

WTN: Anthony Road 2005 Vignoles (Finger Lakes AVA)

anthonyroad_05vignoles

Anthony Road Winery, which  released its first wines in 1990, is  on the west side of Seneca Lake. Owned by Ann and John Martini, the wines are made by Johannes Reinhardt, a German native. Reinhardt grew up in a family that has been in the wine business since 1438, so he’s been in vineyards and wineries just about all his life. With his German background, it is no surprise that he ended up in the Finger Lakes, where the best wines of Germany, particularly riesling, thrive. This wine, however, is a first for me — a non-dessert wine made from…

Continue Reading