The Finger Lakes is one of Real Simple's 10 Hidden Gems!

This morning I picked up the Spring issue of Real Simple Travel and noticed an article by Patricia Shultz (author of 1000 Places to See Before You Die) titled "10 Hidden Gems in the United States". Finger Lakes, New York was one the featured destinations! The issue just came out on the newsstand and is available through May 14, 2008.

Here is a quote from Real Simple: "America has no shortage of Great Lakes, but they can feel more like oceans. For an up-close and intimate shoreside get-away, head to New York's Finger Lakes region. Of the 11 glacial lakes clustered there, Y-shaped Keuka is said to be the prettiest, and the adjacent state park offers hiking, boating, fishing, and views of the rolling, vineyard-dotted hills. July brings the Finger Lakes Wine Festival in Watkins Glen."

Finger Lakes Wine Country Featured in Food & Wine!

In the April issue of Food and Wine, 2 Finger Lakes wineries were featured in the section titled "Best American Wines $15 & under". Scott Osborn and Peter Bell's (Fox Run) 2006 Dry Riesling and Fred Frank's (Dr. Konstantin Frank) 2006 Salmon Run Riesling took home this prestigious honor.

The Finger Lakes not only produces wines of excellent quality but also of amazing value. Recently in the Wine Enthusiast April issue all the Chardonnays reviewed were priced at $20 or less. So with gas prices a bit high this year save some money by forgetting California and drink (and visit)Finger Lakes.

In Finger Lakes Wine Country we are also blessed with many local wine shops that feature extensive selections of Finger Lakes wines. It is so important for strong partnerships between retailers and producers. Food & Wine in the April issue acknowledged four wine shops throughout the country that are "best shops for local wine." Lighthouse wines in Elmira was one of those four with more than 650 Finger Lakes wines in its store. Give Kit (owner) a visit at 1141 Broadway, Elmira, New York (607-733-2999) next time you are in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Read about it in Food & Wine.

Finger Lakes Wine Country is Blooming with Wine Trail Events

Spring is right around the corner in Finger Lakes Wine Country and the Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake Wine Trails are hosting events that are sure to rid you of the winter blues. Here is a taste of what is blooming in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail invites you to purchase your Vino Visa Coupon Book to taste fine wines and receive special discounts at all 16 wineries. The book is available at all Cayuga Lake Wine Trail wineries and online for $15 and is good throughout 2008. On the weekends of April 26-27 and May 3-4 the Wine and Herb Festival will take place on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Celebrate the beginning of spring by receiving a healthy beautiful fragrant herb plant sponsored by Dickman Farms, a souvenir wineglass and a recipe from each winery. Sample herb prepared delicacies paired with fine wines. Tickets range from $20 to $30 per person with discounts for designated drivers and couples.

The Keuka Lake Wine Trail is presenting two events in the coming spring months. The World Tour of Food and Wine will be held conveniently on two weekends, March 29-30 and April 19-20. Each winery has selected a country or regional food to feature along with fine wines. Whether it’s German at one winery or Japanese at another, this event is sure to send your taste buds on an adventure you won’t soon forget. Keuka in Bloom will be held May 17-18. Each ticket holder will collect two flowers or herbs in four inch pots at each winery in addition to a complimentary wine trail wine glass. This event is a great way to celebrate the rebirth of the season by getting a head start on your garden and enjoying some award-winning wine. Tickets range from $20-$30 per person with discounts for designated drivers and couples.

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail invites you to travel along Seneca Lake with the Polar Passport. For just $10 you can visit the 24 participating wineries and enjoy a complimentary wine tasting. The Polar Passport can be purchased at any Wegmans store through their That’s the Ticket program, online at www.senecalakewine.com or at any of the participating wineries. Seneca Lake Wine Trail is also hosting two events this spring including Cruisin’ the Tropics and Spring Wine and Cheese. Cruisin’ the Tropics will take place March 29-30 and is sure to warm you up and delight your senses. Enjoy some great wine, sample the tropically-themed dishes served at each of the participating wineries, and enjoy the many activities that each winery takes special care to create. Spring Wine and Cheese weekend is April 26-27 and is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Sponsored by McCadam Cheese, this event celebrates the beloved pairing of fine wines and cheeses. Each participate will receive a gift and recipe book and a guaranteed good time. Tickets for these events are $25 with discounts given to designated drivers.

Tickets for these events can be purchased online through each of the wine trail websites or at any Wegmans store through their That’s T.H.E. Ticket! program.

Click here to purchase tickets to any of these wine trail events.

Finger Lakes Wines Shine in Wine Enthusiast!

Finger Lakes wines have done it again! Received good reviews that is for their Chardonnays and Rieslings. 23 wines from the 2005 and 2006 vintage received scores between 89-85 for both varietals. Finally the quality wines from Finger Lakes Wine Country are starting to get a lot of media buzz. So instead of spending a fortune visiting Napa or Sonoma this year discover the hidden gems in the Finger Lakes. We guarantee you won't be disappointed and you will be amazed at the overal value of the wines.

Click here to discover the wines of Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Here are the current reviews from Wine Enthusiast-

Wine Enthusiast 2006 Riesling Reviews
89 DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
89 WAGNER 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Ice
88 CHATEAU LAFAYETTE RENEAU2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
88 DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-dry
87 ANTHONY ROAD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-Dry
86 CHATEAU LAFAYETTE RENEAU2006 Finger Lakes Johannisberg Riesling
85 STANDING STONE 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling
85 FULKERSON 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-Dry
85 FULKERSON 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
85 ANTHONY ROAD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-Sweet

Wine Enthusiast 2005 & 2006 Chardonnay Reviews
88 Dr. Konstantin Frank 2005 B. Fermented Finger Lakes Chardonnay
87 Cascata 2006 Fireside Finger Lakes Chardonnay
87 Lamoreaux Landing 2006 Estate Bottled Finger Lakes Chardonnay
87 Lamoreaux Landing 2006 Estate Reserve Finger Lakes Chardonnay
86 Chateau Lafayette Reneau2006 Proprietor’s Finger Lakes Chardonnay
86 Fox Run NV Finger Lakes Chardonnay
86 Prejean 2006 Finger Lakes Chardonnay
85 Cayuga Ridge Estate NV Unoaked Cayuga Lake Chardonnay
85 Heron Hill 2006 Unoaked New York Chardonnay
85 Lakewood 2006 Finger Lakes Chardonnay
85 Rooster Hill 2006 Finger Lakes Chardonnay
85 Ventosa 2005 New York Chardonnay
85 Wagner 2005 B. Fermented Finger Lakes Chardonnay

Finger Lakes Rieslings Featured on Wine Spectator Website

Wine Spectator on its website recently rated 28 2006 Finger Lakes Rieslings. The scores ranged from 89-85 and were for wines that ranged in style from completely dry to ice wine. This is the largest single review report ever for Finger Lakes Rieslings and we are excited with the results. The region has been making world-class Rieslings for many years and now the media and trade are finally taking notice. Riesling does especially well in the Finger Lakes due to the moderating effects of the lakes and unique soil compositions. The 2007 Rieslings will be released now through the summer. Check with your favorite winery for their release dates and or better yet attend the Golden Nose on May 31 when many of these wines will be tasted and judged. Each winery releases wine according to internal factors such as inventory sell-through and readiness of the wine in the bottle. The following is a summary of the top-rated 2006 Finger Lakes Rieslings wines as reviewed by Wine Spectator.

Wine Spectator 2006 Riesling Reviews
89 ANTHONY ROAD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-Dry
89 STANDING STONE 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling
89 WAGNER 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Ice
88 ANTHONY ROAD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
88 ANTHONY ROAD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling
88 ATWATER ESTATE 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
88 CHATEAU LAFAYETTE RENEAU2006 Finger Lakes Johannisberg Riesling
88 FOX RUN 2006 Seneca Lake Riesling Reserve
88 RED NEWT CELLARS 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Reserve
87 DAMIANI 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling
87 DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
87 GLENORA 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry Vintner’s Select
87 HAZLITT 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Homestead Reserve
87 HOSMER 2006 Cayuga Lake Riesling
87 LAKEWOOD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
87 RED NEWT CELLARS 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
87 ROOSTER HILL 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-Dry
87 SHELDRAKE POINT 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Reserve
87 WHITE SPRINGS 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Red Label
86 SHELDRAKE POINT 2007 Finger Lakes Riesling Ice Wine
86 BELHURST ESTATE 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
86 BUTTONWOOD GROVE 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
86 DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-dry
86 HOSMER 2006 Cayuga Lake Riesling Vintner’s Reserve
86 ROOSTER HILL 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
86 SWEDISH HILL 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling
85 CHATEAU LAFAYETTE RENEAU2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
85 DEER RUN 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-Dry
85 HOSMER 2006 Cayuga Lake Riesling Dry
85 KING FERRY 2006 Cayuga Lake Treleaven Riesling Dry
85 KING FERRY 2006 Cayuga Lake Treleaven Riesling Semi-Dry
85 LAKEWOOD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi-dry
85 RAVINES 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry
85 SILVER THREAD 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling Dry

World Tour of Wine and Food Along Keuka Wine Trail

World Tour of Food and Wine
March 29-30 & April 19 - 20

Join us for two inspiring days of food and wine pairings on quaint and charming Keuka Lake. Each winery has selected a country or regional food to feature along with fine wines. As you drive along the wine trail, you may taste German food at one stop followed by an Asian dish at another. Increase your wine knowledge and understanding of why certain foods are paired with specific styles of wine. A wonderful event for those who truly love to try unique foods and wines. Get your tickets early as this is sure to be a popular event. Fee $20 per person in advance, $25 per person at the door. Each ticket includes a signature plate and wineglass.

Click here to order tickets to this great event.