The NY Eiswein Trail

[docsconz]

Yesterday's times had an article extolling the virtues of visiting NY's burgeoning eiswein region in the winter.

Anyone done it? What are your favorite eisweineries and NYS eisweins? Do you have any good stories about visiting the weineries and trying the weins?

[mikeyrad]

I did a winetasting vacation in the Finger Lakes in October. I met Bob Madill when we dined at the restaurant at Sheldrake Point. I was most impressed with his knowledge of winegrowing and his dedication to making world class wines -- a characteristic shared by most winegrowers in the region. Many of the winegrowers have been educated or work in conjunction with Cornell's School of Agriculture.

The eco-climate in the Finger Lakes is closest to that of Germany or Austria. The weather is comparatively cold and the vineyards are planted on hills situatated on the shores of very deep lakes that don't freeze. The result is great food-friendly wines, generally below 13% alcohol with great balance of acidity and sugar. Of course, the dessert wines are lower in alcohol and higher in sugar. You also won't find the heavy handed use of oak commonly found in California wines. As I said, these are serious winegrowers making quality wines. I wound up buying six cases of assorted Rieslings, Gewurztraminers of varying sweetness from dry to eiswein as well as Chards, Pinots, Cab Francs, sparklers, and other varietals. I'm happy -- maybe a little too happy -- to report that we're on our final case.

IMHO, the best Finger Lake vineyards are Herman Wiemer (Seneca), Dr. Frank (Keuka), Hosmer (Cayuga), Lamoreaux Landing (Seneca), Standing Stone (Seneca), Sheldrake Point (Cayuga) and Chateau LaFayette Reneau (Seneca).

[docsconz]

Which ones were the best to visit and which had the best wines? Often they are the same, but not necessarily. Which had the best eisweins?

[mikeyrad]

We visited all of the wineries that I listed in my last post except for Standing Stone. All had excellent tasting facilities. A buck or two will buy you tastes of five or more wines. As far as which wineries had the best wines:

Wiemer: Rieslings, Gewurztraminers, Eisweins

Dr. Frank: Rieslings, sparklers, Pinot Noir

Hosmer: Cab Francs, Pinot Noir

Lamoreaux Landing: Chards, Rieslings, Eisweins

Chateau LaFayette Reneau: Rieslings, Chards

Sheldrake Point: Rieslings, Cab Francs, Pinot Noir

My favorite winegrower is Herman Wiemer for Germanic style wines. Hosmer has a kick-ass Cab Franc -- a great wine with food. Dr. Frank's "Champagnes" and Pinots are also wonderful.

[docsconz]

Mikeyrad, Thanks for the tips. It would seem that for anyone contemplating trekking NY's Eiswein Trail that they consider Wiemer and Lamoreaux Landing. Any other suggestions for visiting NYS eisweineries?

[brngckn]

Ah, a thread discussing just what I was looking for. I will be in the Finger Lakes area mid-June. Oddly enough, I was born in this area but don't get back but every 3-5 years. I have one day free from other obligations. I will hike Watkins Glen in the AM and hit a couple of wineries in the afternoon. Then I must drive on to Oneida. If you could only pick 2 wineries to visit, which would you choose?

[rlibkind]

About four years ago, Wiemer made a trockenbeerauslese. I've been hording my last remaining bottle.

TBAs are very rare, conditions must be absolutely perfect, but when they are....