More Praise for Finger Lakes Wines

Where can you visit friendly, family-owned wineries who also produce some of the most highly regarded wines in the United States? Well forget flying to California, Oregon, or Washington. Just hop in your car and head to Finger Lakes Wine Country, just a few short hours from New York City. Recently one of the most respected wine publications in the world, The Wine Advocate, reviewed four wines from the Finger Lakes.

Herman J Wiemer 2007 Finger Lakes Riesling Late Harvest score: 88 / $25
Lamoreaux Landing 2007 Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc T 23 score: 88 / $18
Herman J Wiemer 2007 Finger Lakes Johannisberg Riesling Dry score: 87 / $19
Anthony Road 2007 Finger Lakes Riesling Semi Dry score: 86 / $15

Finger Lakes Wine Country is an easily accessible AND affordable vacation destination. After you stock-up on your wines you can visit one of the most famous museums in the world, The Corning Museum of Glass, and purchase some Steuben Glass. Or if American literature is more your thing, you can visit the grave of Mark Twain in Elmira. Take that Napa Valley!

Now You Can Fly Direct from Orlando to Finger Lakes Wine Country!

So do you live in Florida and really want to come to Finger Lakes Wine Country this fall? Enjoy the beautiful weather, outstanding fall foliage, and bountiful harvest for $89 each way direct now through October 15, 2008.

Allegiant Air just announced twice a week flights from Orlando-Sanford Airport to Corning-Elmira Airport.

Check availability at Allegiant Air.

Wine Spectator Gives Excellent Scores to 2007 Finger Lakes Rieslings!

The warm vintage of 2007 has produced some outstanding whites and reds from Finger Lakes Wine Country. While the reds are aging now in barrels and bottles, the 2007 whites are starting to be released. Make sure you plan your trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country soon to get these wines before they sell out. Wine Spectator recently reviewed many of the 2007Rieslings and here is a recap of the some best reviewed wines:

RAVINES Riesling Finger Lakes Dry Argetsinger Vineyard 2007 Score: 89 | $25
Focused and pure, with tangy fennel, anise and apple notes allied to a bright, pure frame. Nice drive on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 150 cases made. —J.M.
ANTHONY ROAD Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2007 Score: 88 | $15
Plump up front, with fennel and anise hints, before the dry edge emerges on the bright, minerally finish. Very solid. Drink now through 2009. 700 cases made. —J.M.
ANTHONY ROAD Riesling Finger Lakes Semi-Dry 2007 Score: 88 | $16
Broad and forward, with quince, dried pineapple and green almond notes followed by a rich, creamy finish. Drink now. 750 cases made. —J.M.
ATWATER ESTATE Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2007 Score: 88 | $18
Fresh and nicely defined, with a mouthwatering edge driving the apple, fennel seed and lime notes through the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2009. 500 cases made. —J.M.
DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2007 Score: 88 | $17
Quite taut, despite a marzipan edge running through the tangy green apple and lime notes, which linger on the petrol-tinged finish. Has some mature hints already, but it's fresh and long, and should age nicely. Drink now through 2009. 4,500 cases made. —J.M.
STANDING STONE Riesling Finger Lakes 2007 Score: 88 | $14
Ripe and juicy, with a solid core of anise, melon and fig flavors backed by a nice mouthwatering MacIntosh apple note on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 1,124 cases made. —J.M.
BELHURST ESTATE Riesling Seneca Lake Semi-Dry 2007 Score: 87 | $18
Tangy for an off-dry style, with lively quince and lime notes leading the way for apple and pear hints on the juicy finish. Quite tasty. Drink now. 200 cases made. —J.M.
KING FERRY Riesling Cayuga Lake Treleaven Dry 2007 Score: 87 | $15
Quite dry and bony, with a slate-driven spine leading the taut green apple and lime notes. Tangy, chalk-tinged finish. Drink now through 2009. 1,320 cases made. —J.M.
KNAPP Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2007 Score: 87 | $15
Nice purity, with a crisp lime edge backed by slate and green apple notes that linger on the chiseled finish. Drink now. 307 cases made. —J.M.
LAKEWOOD Riesling Finger Lakes 2007 Score: 87 | $13
Quite crunchy, with a tangy lime streak running through the Pippen apple and green almond notes. Lively finish. Drink now through 2009. 800 cases made. —J.M.
SHELDRAKE POINT Riesling Finger Lakes 2007 Score: 87 | $16
Good focus, with a nice slatey edge to the apple and fig flavors. Good drive on the finish too. Drink now through 2009. 743 cases made. —J.M.
SHELDRAKE POINT Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2007 Score: 87 | $16
Juicy and open, with quince, pippen apple and braised fennel notes that stay fresh on the finish. Drink now. 987 cases made. —J.M.
FOX RUN Riesling Finger Lakes 2007 Score: 86 | $14
Fresh, with a bracing edge to the lime, green apple and chamomile hints. Good cut on the finish. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. —J.M.
DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK Riesling Finger Lakes Semi-Dry 2007 Score: 86 | $15
Fresh, with off-dry apple, pear and quince notes followed by a round, generous finish. Drink now. 3,900 cases made. —J.M.
SWEDISH HILL Riesling Finger Lakes 2007 Score: 86 | $15
Plump and forward, with good apple, green melon and anise notes. Round, juicy finish. Drink now. 1,500 cases made. —J.M.

Here's a look at some of the top Finger Lakes Rieslings to come out of the just-released 2007 vintage. The vintage featured hot and dry weather, which cost the wines some of the crackling definition that Riesling is known for (and which was apparent in the solid set of 2006 Finger Lakes Rieslings that I reviewed earlier this year). There are some standouts, however, including those from Anthony Road and Atwater Estate, two wineries that are quietly building up a consistent track record for very good quality.

"I decided to pick earlier than most, so not to repeat what happened in 2005, where similar vintage conditions made for some cooked and washed-out flavors," noted Vinny Aliperti, winemaker at Atwater Estate, whose 2007 dry Riesling is among the top wines listed here.

In fact, you'll note quite a few bottlings labeled as "dry" among the top scorers here, as the wines made in this style helped to offset the blowsy edge of the vintage. In particular, the Ravines Argetsinger Vineyard, the winery's first single-vineyard bottling, shows excellent focus and length. Ravines winemaker and co-owner Morten Hallgren has been sourcing Riesling from the vineyard since 1999, where Riesling was grafted over on to old Ives vines (a local grape variety). The vineyard itself is planted on limestone soils, uncommon for the Finger Lakes.

"I'm convinced the combination of the soil type and an older root system, together with good vineyard management practices, result in an unusually interesting wine," said Hallgren.

While most of the top wines from the Finger Lakes are typically made in can-only-get-it-at-the-winery amounts, there are some good values with good production levels here as well, including those from Fox Run and Dr. Konstantin Frank.

Chocolate and Red Wine in Finger Lakes Wine Country

This weekend, September 20 & 21, McGregor Vineyards on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail is hosting its 8th annual Chocolate and Red Wine event. For $8 per person you will receive wine tasting, food sampling, a McGregor wine glass, and a $1 gets donated to a local charity.

Speaking of chocolate events, I also heard that Ravines Wine Cellars is also having a chocolate event this weekend, A Chocolate Tasting Adventure. More details...

The shopping and dining district in Corning is better known as the Gaffer District (an homage to the town's glass connection). The district has a chocolate trail featuring chocolate specialties at various shops and restaurants. The Chocolate Trail is not a special event and can be experienced any day of the week and no charge applies. More details...

Not in the mood for chocolate check out our calendar of events for more things to do this weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Finger Lakes Wine Country in Las Vegas!

Las Vegas is a seven hour plane ride from Finger Lakes Wine Country and you're wondering what the connection is right? Las Vegas is not only a mecca for gambling but the city has also become one of the world's most important markets for wine. Getting on Las Vegas restaurant wine lists really helps to elevate the profile of a region. I even hear that Donald Trump is a fan of New York wines and specifically requested his home state to be represented at his Las Vegas casino restaurants. The Finger Lakes' own Wiemer Vineyards has a coveted spot on one of Trump's wine lists here.

So this is why I am in Las Vegas, helping spread the word about Finger Lakes Wine Country. We have to let people know that Wine Country isn't all about Napa. I am the featured guest on the Les Kincaid Wine and Vines show on Thursday, September 18, from 7-8PM PST. We will be tasting three Finger Lakes wines and pairing these wines with expertly choosen foods prepared by a Las Vegas chef. Yum! It is the first time that Les has had New York wines on his show and we are honored to be the first. Now that the wines of the Finger Lakes are getting national and international attention let's hope I can come back next year!

Join me on the Les Kincaid show by clicking here.

New Winery Opens on Seneca Lake in Finger Lakes Wine Country

I just received notice today of a new premium, small-production winery, King's Garden Vineyard and Tasting Room, opening on the east side of Seneca Lake. Owned and operated by Michael and Corinne Oleksyn, this 16 acre vineyard and 2500 case winery will feature Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux-style blends. They are open Thursday - Monday, 11-5PM and are located just north of Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.

Click here to learn more about King's Garden Vineyard.

I have also heard that two other wineries (one on Cayuga Lake and one on Seneca Lake) hope to open before the end of the year. Also two new distilleries on Seneca Lake are opening soon. More details to come...

With well over 100 wineries in Finger Lakes Wine Country we can boast of having the largest concentration of wineries east of California producing some of the best wines in the world. With wineries scattered along Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga lakes you can spend an entire season in Finger Lakes Wine Country and still not visit all the wineries. On top of that add a few famous attractions (Harris Hill, The Corning Museum of Glass, Mark Twain Study) and you have one of the most diverse travel destinations in America. Not bad for upstate New York right?

Jazz and Harvest Festival in Corning September 19 and 20

The fall in Finger Lakes Wine Country is one of the most exciting times of the year. The leaves begin to make their magical transformation and the vineyards are bursting with ripe fruit waiting to be picked. This weekend on Friday, September 19th and Saturday, September 20th you are invited to the charming town of Corning for a harvest and jazz festival. I even heard that a famous jazz great will be performing...

Click here for the inside scoop.

Mamma Mia Coming to Finger Lakes Wine Country at the Clemens Center!

I think one of the most distinguishing things in Finger Lakes Wine Country is the amazing diversity of things to do in the region. We are so much more than just wineries. We have world-class museums like The Corning Museum of Glass and a regional cultural center, The Clemens Center, that features broadway shows. The Clemens Center, located in the heart of Mark Twain Country in Elmira, just completed a $25,000,000 renovation. The Center is opening its 2009 season with the widely popular Mamma Mia! New York City might have Broadway but it doesn't have over 100 wineries nor three beautiful glacial-formed lakes.

Here is the scoop -

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, comes to the Clemens Center in October 2008. Performances begin on Tuesday, October 21 and run through Sunday, October 26 at the Clemens Center in Elmira, NY. Tickets go on sale at the Clemens Center Box Office Monday, September 8th at 11:30 a.m.

Seen by over 32 million people around the world, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! is celebrating 6 sold-out years at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, and is currently playing record-breaking engagements in Las Vegas and on National Tour in the United States. The original West End production has played more than 3,500 performances, an international tour has played in more than 30 foreign cities, and the feature film of MAMMA MIA!, produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, was released on
July 18, 2008.

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone. For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya - from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” MAMMA MIA! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

The performance schedule for MAMMA MIA! at the Clemens Center in Elmira, NY is:
Tuesday – Sunday, October 21 – 26, 2008, evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday, October 25-26, 2008, matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets for MAMMA MIA! are ($35 – $70). Tickets are available through the Clemens Center Box Office
at 607-734-8191 or 800-724-0159 or at www.clemenscenter.com

Wines of the Finger Lakes Shine in Wine Enthusiast

While the wineries of Finger Lakes Wine Country have become internationally recognized for their world-class Rieslings, the red wines of the region are beginning to get noticed by the wine media. In the October issue of Wine Enthusiast, fifteen wines from the Finger Lakes, including thirteen red wines, received reviews that are considered by the magazine to be very good to good. Though the Finger Lakes is considered a cool climate that produces mainly white wines, the moderating effects of Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga lakes create a microclimate that helps extend the growing season to allow for the successful ripening of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Lemberger, and Pinot Noir. The wines that received very good to good ratings include:

Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2005 Owner’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Dr. Konstantin Frank 2006 Dry Rose
Red Newt Cellars 2005 Cabernet Franc
Damiani 2006 Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Sheldrake Point 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Swedish Hill 2005 Optimus
Goose Watch 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Keuka Springs 2005 Epic Reserve
Treleaven 2006 EIS Lake Harvest Riesling
Anthony Road 2006 Cabernet Franc / Lemberger
Atwater 2005 Red Table Wine
Bellangelo 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Billsboro 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
McGregor 2005 Black Russian Red
Shaw NV Keuka Hill Reserve Red Table Wine

Finger Lakes Wine Country in upstate New York is home to the largest concentration of wineries east of California, with more than 100 wineries producing world-class wines including Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemberger, and Pinot Noir on over 9000 acres. For more information about Finger Lakes Wine Country and its wineries visit: www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com.