4 November 2010 Hermann J Wiemer – The Fame and Attitude are Warranted

Hermann J Wiemer – The Fame and Attitude are Warranted

November 4, 2010 By

Most fans of Finger Lakes wines and Mosel-style Rieslings have heard of Hermann J. Wiemer, and the fame, awards and accolades are well-deserved.

The winery’s history is rich with Hermann J. Wiemer’s mother coming from a family of Mosel winemakers dating back 300 years and a father who was a skilled nurseryman.  Hermann J. Wiemer is regarded as one of the pioneers of viticulture and winemaking in the Finger Lakes.

During a recent visit to the winery, I encountered an attitude I had not experienced at any other Finger Lakes wineries that was reminiscent of some French vineyards.  The attitude was pure – ‘you’re privileged to be tasting our wines in this space today’.  Do I think the attitude is warranted?  Mostly, yes for the following three reasons:

Wiemer Building

First, the ‘barn’ housing the winery is fabulous.  The winery was designed in 1982 by an award-winning team of Cornell architects. Enclosed within the shell of the 70-year-old scissor-trussed barn is the wine shop, the tasting room and the production facilities.

Second, our tasting was conducted by Michael, a catering company owner from Manhattan who makes weekend trips to Hermann J. Wiemer to share his passion and wine expertise with winery guests.  Loved him.

Third, most of the wines are simply great.  Our tasting included the following wines:

  • 2008 Dry Riesling: What Wiemer’s known for – crisp, light lime floral bouquet with a minerals-laden long finish. Around $17.50.
  • 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling:  Rich, peachy bouquet and an almost orangey flavor. Unctuous finish that lingers. Think – spicy Thai food. Around $17.
  • 2009 Gewürztraminer: Ripe pear with nice spicy finish. Around $22.
  • 2008 Frost Cuvee: A blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Cuvee of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, this is an easy-going wine that’d be perfect sipped on a warm summer day at an outdoor party. Not complicated, with peach aroma and a dry finish. Around $12.
  • 2009 Late Harvest Riesling: This Spätlese-style wine is full bodied, rich with a 5.9% residual sugar. Mouthful of honey and ripe green apple.  Around $23.
  • 2007 Cabernet Franc: This wine sees new and old French oak barrels and is bursting with bright fruit and offers soft tannins. Around $25.

Hermann J. Wiemer wines are relatively easy to find at local wine stores, at least compared to some other Finger Lakes wine brands.  You can also purchase wines online at http://wiemer.com/shop/ and at the winery’s story located at:

3962 Route 14

Dundee, NY 14837

Click HERE for driving directions

Telephone: 607 243 7971

Make a point to visit this winery when touring the Finger Lakes wine region.

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Dessert Wine, Red Wine, White Wine Tagged With: , , , ,
9 October 2010 2008 J.J. Muller Riesling

2008 J.J. Muller Riesling

October 9, 2010 By
'08 J.J. Mueller Riesling

'08 J.J. Mueller Riesling

Value Riesling that’s both on the sweet side but has a nice level of acidity.  Typical apple nose with a honeyed flavor.

Relatively easy to find, and what you’d expect from a sweeter Mosel Riesling.  Had it paired with scallops at North Shore Bistro in Milwaukee (quite yummy by the way) and it was a nice match.

Around $10.

Filed Under: White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
24 September 2010 2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino

2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino

September 24, 2010 By

'04 Fattoria La Lecciaia

Enjoyed this wine last night paired with grilled prime rib and thought it was all you’d want in a Brunello: Big, beefy, silky, complex.  Noseful of black berries, jammy, earthy mouthful and long, slightly tannic finish.

Not sure how many Brunellos of this caliber can be found in this price range, but probably not many.

Around $35.

93 Points Wine Spectator

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17 September 2010 2007 Albert Bichot Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir

2007 Albert Bichot Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir

September 17, 2010 By

'07 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir

Had this Burgundy at a dinner party hosted by my father in Quebec, Canada.  Hoping this wine is available in the USA as it’s a pretty nice example of French Pinot Noir at a very affordable price.

On the nose is a light fruity, fresh aroma.  On the palate is the typical black cherry, but unlike other Burgundies in this price point, there’s elegance, balance and a nice level of acidity with the 2007 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir.

Around $17.

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15 September 2010 2007 Bonterra Vineyards Viognier

2007 Bonterra Vineyards Viognier

September 15, 2010 By

Enjoyed this wine at a steakhouse, yes, a steakhouse, but paired with seared diver scallops over creamed corn.  It’s a lovely, affordable Viognier that would complement spicy foods, rich white/cheesy sauces and grilled fish very well.

For those not familiar with Viognier, it’s rich and bold with tropical fruit flavors and floral aromas.  In the case of the 2007 Bonterra Vineyards Viognier, it’s fruit forward with a long, dry and almost spicy finish with vanilla notes.  Fans of Rieslings or Gewurztraminers would enjoy this varietal.

Varietal blend: 81% Viognier, 10% Marsanne, 5% Muscat, 4% Rousanne.

Around $16.

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26 August 2010 2007 Boutari Moschofilero

2007 Boutari Moschofilero

August 26, 2010 By

First tasted this wine at an event hosted by Wines of Greece in Manhattan where I got to sample over 40 fine Greek wines.  Lucky for me, the

'07 Boutari Moschofilero

2007 Boutari Moschofilero is pretty widely available in my neck of the woods in New Jersey, so I get to enjoy it often.

Think of this wine as a Pinot Grigio / Sauvignon Blanc but with tons of body and flavor.  It’s light enough to be enjoyed all Summer long, but offers enough body and richness to pair with spicy foods during the cooler months.  I find lots of juicy lemons with ripe honeyed melons and floral undertones with some nice acidity.

At a recent dinner party, I paired it with grilled octopus and Greek yogurt-marinated chicken kabobs and it was super.

At around $15 a bottle, this Greek wine from the Peloponnesos region is a great buy and value.

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24 August 2010 2005 McCrea Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne

2005 McCrea Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Roussanne

August 24, 2010 By

'05 McCrea Cellars

As I’m not a fan of buttery Chardonnay, I find that Roussanne is a white wine that I can enjoy when I want something with more body than the typical United States Sauvignon Blanc.

This wine, which I tasted at Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA, is fruity with a bold orange nose with floral undertones.  It’s chewy with powerful flavor and acidity.  Little caramel finish.  Nice example of Washington State Roussanne.

348 cases made.  Around $25.

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23 August 2010 2007 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Pinot Noir

2007 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Pinot Noir

August 23, 2010 By

'07 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir

Enjoyed a bottle of this wine at lovely Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA and thought it was a well-balanced example of coastal Sonoma Pinot Noir.

Saying a Pinot Noir tastes like cherries is like saying a cab goes well with a steak – obvious.  In this case though, the cherries are succulent and very ripe with dark berry and chocolate undertones.  There’s a nice level of tannins in this above-par wine and the spicy finish lingers on and on.

This wine reminded me of some of the refined Burgundies I’ve enjoyed over the years.  Great example of California Pinot that is a must-try, even at a higher price point.

Around $65.

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15 August 2010 2007 Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

August 15, 2010 By

'07 Katherine Goldschmidt Cab

Bought this wine as my 2nd bottle (to be drunk after a great bottle) for a dinner party featuring grilled tenderloin and was pleasantly surprised by it.  It quickly became the star of the evening.

Sipped it upon uncorking it and it was tight and young.  After decanting it for 90 minutes, it was elegant, rich and structured.  Beautiful black raspberry nose and rich ripe cherry, meaty mouthfeel.  Fantastic pricepoint for such a nice wine.

Around $20.

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24 July 2010 2006 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel

2006 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel

July 24, 2010 By

Chateau Montelena Zin

I had the pleasure of tasting this wine at a small event hosted by Chateau Montelena winemaker, Bo Barrett earlier this year and thought it was a solid wine for a winery mostly focused on Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wine is beautiful in the glass with the darkest purple hue.  On the nose, it’s oaky with tons of black fruit: blackberries, ripe raspberries and currant.  On the palate, it’s what makes Zinfandel fans so loyal to the grape, spiciness, dried cherry with a big meaty mouthfeel and just the right amount of tannins.  Well balanced with a long spiced finish.

Affordable for most and an ideal wine for those late afternoon BBQs where grilled red meat’s the star.

Around $30.

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