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Posts Tagged“mcgregor vineyard”

The Story Behind McGregor Vineyard’s Black Russian Red: A Chat With John McGregor

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It has been called “unique” and “iconic” – and has developed an almost cult-like following since it first appeared more than two decades ago. McGregor Vineyard’s Black Russian Red is a field blend of two varieties of Eastern European origin – Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni. Finger Lakes pioneer Bob McGregor created the blend in the early 1990’s as an alternative to classic Bordeaux blends that require varieties that are challenging to consistently cultivate in Upstate New York, releasing the first vintage in 1991. Based on its early success, the wine has been produced every vintage since. Today, continuation of the…

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2009 Harvest Update: Handling High Acids at McGregor Vineyard

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Photo courtesy McGregor Vineyard Before harvest has even ended, McGregor Vineyard owner John McGregor has a sense for what the 2009 vintage will offer.  "There are some people who really love these kinds of years," he says. "They love racy wines. They love acid. Well, we're going to have that." The challenge will be making sure the wines don't show so much acid that they're off balance. "I would guess that we're dealing with the same issues other people are dealing with in the Finger Lakes right now," McGregor explains. "You can only do…

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McGregor Vineyard 2007 “Emery Vineyards” Seyval Blanc

I'm definitely not one of those wine writer-types who dismisses hybrid grapes. I've had some terrific wines made from Vidal. Have enjoyed several different styles of Vignoles. And, I even like Seyval Blanc when it's done well. Some winemakers treat Seyval a bit too much like chardonnay for my liking, aging it in oak, which just isn't a good idea. Others leave a significant amount of residual sugar in the finished wine, trying to appeal to the white zinfandel set. Jeff Dencenburg, winemaker at McGregor, did a little of both with this McGregor Vineyard 2007 "Emery Vineyards" Seyval Blanc ($16),…

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McGregor Vineyard 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay

I've been vocal in my appreciation for winemakers who eschew the overblown use of oak in their chardonnays. I can appreciate well-made barrel-fermented chardonnay, but it's not a style I drink a lot of. Maybe it's the riesling lover in me, but I tend to like a purer expression of fruit and the vineyard in my whites. That doesn't mean that I love every no-oak chardonnay that I come across. This McGregor Vineyard 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay ($17) is not one of the better examples I've had. Such a pale green-tinted yellow that it's nearly colorless, the nose is similarly light…

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Wine Blogging Wednesday #53: McGregor Vineyard 2007 Dry Riesling

Okay, I'm late Wine Blogging Wednesday #53, hosted by El Jefe from El Bloggo Torcido. Sue me. But, at least I'm still taking part, albeit a few days late. I had to because this theme, wines with breakfast, is one of the most unique we've had in the 4+ years of WBW. Of course, anyone who knows Jefe won't be surprised that he is the mastermind behind an off-the-wall theme. Wine with breakfast, you say? He took us even one step further…outlawing sparkling, rose and sweet wines. We had to pick a dry red or dry white. He did cut…

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McGregor Vineyard 2006 Pinot Noir

Wine never stops to be fascinating for me. In recent weeks I've been doing my wine tastings a bit differently. Instead of tasting them on the day I opened them, reviewing them and rating them, I'm holding off on giving final scores until I've re-tasted them again the following day. I like to taste and review wines the same way that people actually drink them, and the fact is, a bottle of wine may last a few day or longer in many people's homes. It's been an interesting exercise and I've discovered that more wines improve by day two (and…

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