Finger Lakes Rieslings (I’m in love…)

Several decades ago, before California is what they are in the wine industry, there is this little known state that produced and exported really good wines. You may have heard it, the little state of New York? OK a bit of sarcasm there but really over time, unfortunately, California took over and New York was pushed aside. Don’t get me wrong, you can find New York wines in the Chicagoland area but they are nowhere near the presence of California. One of my favorite regions in New York is Finger Lakes. Finger Lakes Rieslings are some of my favorites without a doubt and they are hard not to fall in love with.

I’m not saying they are unheard of but rather minimally represented in our area. The Finger Lakes is the largest and most acclaimed winemaking region in the Eastern United States and it owes much of its success to the lakes themselves. Steep slopes provide a natural means for rainwater and air drainage during the growing season. Cool autumns and warming fog extends the growing season.

Bellangelo produces some excellent Rieslings from the Finger Lakes. Although that vineyard is not represented in Chicago yet Christopher Missick from Bellangelo states “The lack of availability of Finger Lakes wines in the Chicago market, and our wines in particular, is something I intend to spend a great deal of time in 2015.”

I tasted 3 good examples of Finger Lakes Rieslings from Bellangelo and was reminded, yet again, why I love them!

Dry Riesling 2013: Aromas of fruit cocktail apple, and stone. Flavors of lime, lemon peel, tart apple and as it warms up to the right temperature it becomes soft and succulent.

Semi-Dry Riesling 2013: Aromas of stone fruit and candied lemon. Flavors of tangerine and grapefruit. It had an excellent mouth feel and was super rounded.

1866 Reserve 2013: One that was more difficult to articulate but that’s because it is so balanced. Notes of mild oak, bright and light fruits, very silky and soft. I really enjoyed this one!

Sláinte! TCW