7 November 2010 Heron Hill Winery – Finger Lakes Wines Done Well in a Gorgeous Space

Heron Hill Winery – Finger Lakes Wines Done Well in a Gorgeous Space

November 7, 2010 By

Photo Credit: Heron Hill Winery

Since its first vintage in 1977, Heron Hill has grown from a small 5,000 case winery that only made white wines into an award-winning, dynamic, 20,000 case production facility and entertainment destination for more than 50,000 people every year.

Overlooking scenic Keuka Lake, the winery’s tasting room is a sprawling, beautiful space with neat architecture and a friendly staff.  At the recommendation of Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report, my tasting party met with tasting hall manager, Tambi Schweizer during a recent visit to the winery.  Tambi’s knowledge of her products and her enthusiasm for the wine business is palpable and made my party’s time at the winery all the more enjoyable.

Our tasting focused primarily on comparing various wines of the same varietal against one another with a peppering of other neat finds.

  • First on the list were the 2008 Ingle Vineyards Chardonnay Unoaked ($14.99) and the 2009 Classic Chardonnay Unoaked ($12.99).  Both wines are light and refreshing with notes of green apple, but the former is super well-balanced with lemony undertones and mineral-infused, longish finish. Both enjoyable, but Ingle Vineyards will only found at the winery (which I did).
  • Second, and being sampled alone, was the 2008 Reserve Pinot Blanc ($17.99).  Nice all-purpose wine with crisp green apple nose and the right level of acidity that would make it likeable with food or without.
  • Next on agenda were the 2007 Reserve Old Vines Riesling ($24.99), the 2008 Classic Dry Riesling ($12.99) and the 2007 Ingle Vineyard Riesling ($14.99).  All three are nice examples of Finger Lakes Rieslings, but the Reserve with its bold juicy citrus bouquet and crisp finish reminded me of the best tastings in Mosel.  The Ingle offers the characteristics I enjoy in a Riesling: lemony, tart green apple but with a richness and crisp finish I crave to pair with shellfish.
  • Tambi offered a nice treat, the 2009 Classic Muscat ($12.99).  Tropical flower nose, tropical fruit flavors. Neat wine.
  • We moved on to sweeter Rieslings with the 2008 Classic Semi-Dry Riesling ($12.99) and the 2009 Classic Semi-Sweet Riesling ($12.99).  The Semi-Dry is Heron Hill’s most popular Riesling – for good reasons. It’s sweet on the palate, dry on the finish with a nice amount of acidity.  The Semi-Sweet is super with its mouthful of juicy pear/peach and its flowery nose – craving spicy Indian food just remembering it.
  • Next on the agenda were the Pinot Noirs: 2007 Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir ($14.99) and the 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir ($29.99).  The Ingle Vineyard is light in color and offers a silky mouthfeel and cherry/raspberry flavors.  The slightly smoky reserve is fuller-bodied, boasts of bright cherries in the glass, on the nose and on the palate.  Nice wine.
  • Next were the 2007 Classic Cabernet Franc ($12.99) and the 2006 Eclipse Red ($13.99).  The Cab Franc is a nice example of a varietal that not all vineyards in the Finger Lakes do well.  Food-friendly wine with big mouthful of ripe raspberries and oaky finish.  Can’t wait to pair this wine with my porcini risotto.
  • Last but certainly not least were the Late Harvest wines: 2005 Late Harvest Chardonnay ($44.99) and the 2007 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc ($17.99).  Love late harvest wines, so was excited to try these.  Both offer a honeyed and lush ripe fruit flavors but the Vidal Blanc has a nice spicy finish and 13.5% residual sugar level that I loved.

The wines are enjoyable and showcase Finger Lakes favorites in a positive light.  Visiting the winery around lunchtime?  Don’t hesitate to grab a tasty bite at the Heron Hill Café located on the premises.  Ask for the ‘adult grilled cheese’ not featured on the menu, it’s a winner.

To order Heron Hill wines, visit the winery online or better yet, stop by the tasting room located at:

9301 County Route 76

Hammondsport, NY 14840

Telephone: 800-441-4241

Follow Heron Hill Winery on Twitter at www.twitter.com/heronhillwinery or like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heronhillwinery.

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Dessert Wine, Red Wine, White Wine Tagged With: , , , , , ,
5 November 2010 Red Tail Ridge Winery – Thinking Green on Seneca Lake

Red Tail Ridge Winery – Thinking Green on Seneca Lake

November 5, 2010 By

Red Tail Ridge Winery

At the recommendation of Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report, we visited 5-year old Red Tail Ridge Winery on a recent visit to the Finger Lakes wine region.

Red Tail Ridge winery is owned and operated by Mike Schnelle and Nancy Irelan (short video), a husband and wife team, who are dedicated to producing fine wine in the Finger Lakes.  Red Tail Ridge is the first LEED®-certified green winery in New York.  Red Tail Ridge’s “green” features:

  • New wine processing building aims for LEED Silver certification.
  • Walls contain recycled materials.
  • Fieldstone on facade came from vineyard grounds.
  • Geothermal heating/cooling system.
  • ‘Daylighting’ to cut energy use.
  • Use of suppliers within a 500-mile radius.
  • Drainage ditches, drain tile and irrigation pond minimize storm runoff.
  • Laser-straight rows planted 6 feet apart aid in cultivation and weed control.
  • Fencing and nets deter wildlife humanely.

Our tasting was led by self-proclaimed ‘hired gun’ Noel, a knowledgeable wine and Finger Lakes enthusiast.

  • We first sampled the 2009 Sans Oak Chardonnay: Typical non-oaked Chardonnay characteristics – ripe pear/juicy apple with a creamy finish.  Around $11.95.
  • Second, we sipped on 2008 Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay: Nutty peach flavors, creamy nutmeg finish.  Around $16.99.
  • Our third offering was the 2008 Dry Riesling:  Tangy key lime and juicy tropical fruit with dry finish.  Wine Spectator: 89 points. Around $18.95.
  • Next was the 2008 Semi-Sweet Riesling:  Rich, peachy nose with tangerine/cantaloupe flavor. Unctuous finish that lingers. Think – Indian food. Around $13.95.
  • A new varietal to me was the 2008 Lemberger: Mouthful of ripe cherries, spicy, slightly chocolaty notes.  Around $19.95.
  • Finally, we sipped the 2008 Estate Pinot Noir:  Nose is in-your-face with bright cherries.  Big mouthful of raspberries/ripe cherries with hints of butterscotch. Around $19.95.

The winery even features a charity wine, 2009 Good Karma, where 3% of the per-bottle profit is donated to Foodlink, a regional food bank.

Red Tail Ridge In Stores

Red Tail Ridge wines can be purchased at the winery, by phone at 315-536-4580, via email at tastingroom@redtailridgewinery.com, at many fine wine stores and can be enjoyed at many New York tri-state restaurants and select California dining establishments.

Good wine producer, confident in its pursuit of sustainability, Red Tail Ridge Winery is a must-visit Seneca Lake winery.  The cozy tasting room is located at:

846 State Route 14
Penn Yan, NY 14527
315-536-4580

Filed Under: Culinary Travel Tales, Red Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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: , , , ,
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.

Filed Under: White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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.

Filed Under: White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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.

Filed Under: White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
22 July 2010 2007 Loimer Riesling Langenlois Terrassen

2007 Loimer Riesling Langenlois Terrassen

July 22, 2010 By

Loimer Riesling

I first had the pleasure of sampling this outstanding wine at an Austrian wine event I attended in New York.  Although I’d tasted over 30 wines that day, this Riesling, from the Kamptal region of Austria, stood out from the pack and I was thrilled to find it readily available at several stores in my area.

The nose of the 2007 Loimer Riesling is of ripe apple and juicy peach. Peach turns to pear and ripe apple to baked apple on the palate.  This wine is concentrated, luscious and rich with spicy undertones.  The finish is long with mineral notes and nice acidity.

Around $29.

Filed Under: White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
19 June 2010 2009 Santiago Ruiz Rias Baixas

2009 Santiago Ruiz Rias Baixas

June 19, 2010 By

The 2009 Santiago Ruiz is a blend of 70% albarino, 20% loureiro and 10% treixadura. This wine is straw yellow in the glass and offers a vibrant floral nose full ripe peach and lemons.  It is a well-balanced wine with many layers of intensity that could serve as an aperitif and also pair well with heavier shellfish.  This wine has a long and strong mineral finish.

Santiago Ruiz is known to many as the “Father of Albarino” and the 2009 is a great example of Albarino that’s affordable enough to be a go-to every day wine.

Around $20.

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
18 June 2010 2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino

2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino

June 18, 2010 By

’09 Pazo Senorans

Although light in color, this wine from Rias Baixas is anything but that in bouquet and aroma.  Party in a glass is what you get from the first sniff.  Nose is vibrant and screams of honey, tropical notes with lemony undertones. The 2009 Pazo Senorans Albarino is intense, creamy and well-balanced with an enjoyable crisp finish.

Around $20.

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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