New York, New York!
Wines produced in New York State most of the time do not get the recognition they deserve. New York ranks as the third largest wine producing area in the US after California and Washington State. New York is home to the first bonded winery in the US, the Pleasant Valley Wine Company, and America's oldest continuously operating winery, Brotherhood Winery in the Hudson Valley, who has been making wine for almost 175 years.
The state has four major wine-growing regions: Lake Erie AVA (American Viticulture Area) on the western end of the state, the Finger Lakes AVA in the west-central part of the state, the Hudson River Region AVA in eastern New York, and Long Island AVA. An AVA is a designated wine grape-growing region in the US distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
The Concord grape variety is the most widely planted in New York. The grape can be made into wine, but it’s really the basis for the grape juice industry. New York State’s most important wine region is the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York, where four large lakes moderate the cold climate. This AVA produces about seventy five percent of New York’s wines. This region specializes in Sparkling Wines, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Ice Wine, and is also known for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. The Long Island area seems particularly suited to Merlot, but Chardonnay and Riesling are also planted. A high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is planted in Long Island AVA as well. The Atlantic Ocean climate has an influence on this area, which leads to lighter bodied reds. The Lake Erie AVA is mostly planted with the local Concord variety. In the Hudson River Region AVA, the most planted varieties are Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
The yearly Governor’s Cup is held to reveal the "Best of – Category” for the most coveted New York wines. Here are some of the recent winners:
Best Sparkling Wine: Sparkling Pointe 2008 Blanc de Noirs
Best White Wine: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
Best Red Wine: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc
Best Dessert Wine: 21 Brix 2011 Vidal Ice Wine
Best Overall Chardonnay: Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard 2012 Steel Fermented Chardonnay
Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Wölffer Estate Vineyard 2010 Cassango Cabernet Sauvignon
Give the wines from New York a try next time you are out shopping for wine!
Until next time cheers!
