*Updated 16 November 2013 with notes and photos.
Notes from the 2013 Finger Lakes Wine Virtual Tasting Series
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
We used Twitter hashtag: #FLXWineVT
If you are interested in reading the Twitter conversation you can access that here: http://storify.com/StephJarvis/flwa-virtual-tasting-series-featuring-sparkling-de .
If you are interested in watching and sharing the recorded footage of the winemakers speaking about and tasting these wines, you can access it here: http://youtu.be/dRVVOa_7TRg
"...six more reasons to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country."
My wife was under the weather so two of our friends, Bob and Michelle, joined me in tasting these Finger Lakes wines. Since I had company, I decided to provide plenty of nibbles to pair with the sparkling and dessert wines.
We ate very well and had a wonderful time tasting and pairing. Quality is strong friends. I would not hesitate to recommend any of these wines - with the proper setting and pairing. We had a fabulous evening - even with my tweeting while tasting.
This virtual tasting featured the following wineries and wines
Goose Watch Winery -
Pinot Noir Brut Rose $18
Notes: The Goose Watch Rose was the favorite wine with my friends and my wife. It was light, bright, with strawberry and citrus and just made you feel happy. Electric pink color was dazzling. I've been tasked with finding out if they can ship to Washington state - because someone says we must have some for the holidays.
Blend: Pinot Noir 100%
ABV: 12%
5480 Rt. 89
Romulus, NY 14541
315-549-2599
@GooseWatchWines
Glenora Wine Cellars -
2003 Brut Methode Champenoise $25
Notes: The Glenora 2003 Brut was heavy, toasty/yeasty, creamy, melon and lemon. Made me think of winter, sitting by a fireplace and light acidic food. This is a traditional "Champagne" style sparkler.
Blend: Pinot Noir 68%, Pinot Blanc 19%, Chardonnay 13%
ABV: 12.5%
5435 Route 14
Dundee, NY 14837
800-243-5513
@Glenorawine
Fox Run Vineyards -
Hedonia $10
Notes: We were advised by the winery to serve their Hedonia over ice, in a rocks glass, with a slice of orange. A wine cocktail if you will. Loved it. The Hedonia is made from Traminette, which is a hybrid varietal based on Gewurztraminer. Very tasty, refreshing, not heavy, a bit of heat. Perfect for a sunset, sitting at the marina, on the beach and a good alternative to a screwdriver. The slice of orange pulls it all together. Almost floral on the finish. Big like. Enjoyed this half bottle Thursday and Friday evening as a cocktail. Definitely habit forming.
Blend: 100% Traminette
ABV: 20%
670 State Route 14
Penn Yan, NY 14527
800-636-9786
@foxrunvineyards
Note: Traminette is a cross of the French American hybrid Joannes Seyve 23.416 and the German Vitis vinifera cultivar Gewürztraminer made by Herb C. Barrett ca. 1965 at the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign. His intention was to produce a large clustered table grape with the flavor of Gewürztraminer. He sent the cross to the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station grape breeding program at Cornell for development when he departed from Illinois. Traminette was found to have excellent wine quality, combined with good productivity, partial resistance to several fungal diseases, and cold hardiness superior to its acclaimed parent, Gewürztraminer, while retaining a similar character. Source: Wikipedia
Thirsty Owl Wine Company -
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Ice Wine $40
Notes: Yes, an Ice Wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon. Strawberry marmalade on the nose and palate, just enough acid to keep it interesting. My friends really liked this one too. This would be excellent with a crème brule or plain cheesecake. Dang, I almost bought cheesecake for the evening. Yum, long strawberry finish.
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%
ABV: 13.6%
6861 Rt. 89
Ovid, NY 14521
866-869-5805
@ThirstyOwlWine
Standing Stone Vineyards -
2011 Vidal Ice $25
Notes: Sweet apricot and mineral oil on the nose and the palate. Some acid on the finish a pleasant surprise. At opening, there was a little funkiness on the nose. Gone by the next day of course. This would also work well with a simple cheese cake or crème brule. Cream cheese on a toasted bagel also suggested.
Blend: 100% Vidal Blanc
ABV: 12.6%
9934 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841
607-582-6051
@SSVNY
Note: Vidal Blanc is a complex inter-specific variety, being crossed from grape vines belonging to several different species within the Vitis family. One parent, Ugni blanc, is from the Vitis vinifera family of European grapevines that produce most of the world's well known wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Vidal blanc's second parent, Rayon d'Or, was a Seibel grape with itself also being an inter-specific crossing of Aramon du Gard and Seibel 405 (both inter-specific crossings themselves). Included in this extended family tree of Vidal blanc are varieties from the Vitis rupestris and Vitis aestivalis families and grapes produced by notable hybrid breeders Thomas Volney Munson, Hermann Jaeger and Albert Seibel. Source: Wikipedia
Wagner Vineyards -
2012 Riesling Ice $25
Notes: Most complex of the dessert wines. Tastes like a Finger Lakes Riesling to me, acid, mineral, sweet, white grape juice, apricot. This one I would just sit and sip. A plate of salty cheese and crackers could accompany it too.
Blend: Riesling 100%
ABV: 13.2%
9322 State Route 414
Lodi, NY 14860
866-924-6378
You are invited to contact the wineries direct for availability and shipping options. These wines are excellent options for holiday dinners and celebrations. My first exposure to Finger Lakes Sparkling, Dessert and Ice Wines. I'm impressed. Consider these wines six more reasons to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country.
Cheers!