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Winning Wines, the Next and the New!

The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance conducted a Vintners Roundtable at Verasions Restaurant at Glenora Winery on October 6th with its focus to simply introduce notable vintages from participating wineries. What transpired was an elegant afternoon repast resplendent with fine wines and fine foods. But, most importantly, the repartee that filled the room confirmed the fact that what’s happening in wine in the Finger Lakes is on the cusp of greatness. The back and forth of those present displayed a depth of knowledge, complete commitment to quality and a mutual desire to share the collected knowledge, resulting in a guarantee for the future vintages to just keep getting better, year after year.

Case in point, a flute of Glenora 2000 Brut. The classic French methode champenoise bubbly surrendered a pleasant nose, then a mouth tease of elegant flavors touched by wisps of yeast. It wonderfully complimented a shrimp appetizer that danced and pranced over the taste buds, alive from the effervescence of the sparkling wine.

Fox Run presented a 2002 Cabernet Franc that was a gem in the glass, dark and rich red. The nose let loose with ripe dark fruit aromas and the finely structured mouth feel culminated in a lengthy finish accentuated with essence of oak. Paired with a rendition of beef Wellington that employed figs made for a match prepared in some sort of culinary heaven.

Ravines Wine Cellars, a relatively new kid on the block, offered up a 2004 Dry Riesling that titillated the nose, tickled the palate with a vibrant acidity and lingered with a crisp finish. Served up with a pan-seared duck breast resplendent with a cherry sauce, this was good food and wine, period.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars poured a 2003 Gewurztraminer that did almost everything a sensory active wine of this genre should offer. Alive with aromas in the olfactory department, exciting on the taste buds and long on the finish, it’s a hit. Served with a domestic butternut squash soup that excited the oral cavity, this is yet another winner on the roster of the days tastings.

Call it biased, but the Sheldrake Point Vineyards 2004 Riesling Ice Wine was a show stopper. Created from grapes left to freeze on the vines until January, the golden liquid exhibited aromas of baked apples and really ripe peaches, smoothed over the tongue with a certain, elegant and easy-to-drink viscosity only to finish like a velvet bulldozer of flavor. It was a fine compliment to the apple turnover it was presented with. But, for me, it’s treasure of labor and love that deserves a big glass for best aeration and solitary pleasure point contemplation.

Finally, Lakewood Vineyards shared their 2002 Port, big with cocoa and cassis aromas that displays cherry and raspberry intensity on the palate. Its finish is lengthy and bracing. When tasted with a chocolate crème brulee’, it was a fitting conclusion to a completely pleasant session with wines and their makers.

If one were to take anything away from such a tasting, it should be that the Finger Lakes wine region is poised for the recognition it so rightfully deserves. The majesty of the topography, the devotion of the wine makers and the final product encased in the bottles is a testament to the industry. Hang on, this ride is really just beginning.

Posted by Floyd at October 12, 2005 09:43 AM