WineLovers Discussion Group

Next month I'd like to showcase some Finger Lake wines for our neighborhood wine group. I'll need four bottles each of four to six wines, all white, but I don't know which ones or how to get them shipped to me from a remote location. When there in 2010, we didn't meet any local wine shops with a good selection of local juice--the one we went into seemed to sell only the wines of the lesser producers. If I concentrated my efforts on one or two wineries I could probably get them sent to me, but it would certainly be more cost effective to consolidate the shipment.

Any advice?

Try these people: http://www.winedeals.com/.
They have a great selection of NY State wines and they ship to WA. Also, while not from the Finger Lakes, you may want to consider the 2012 21 Brix Dry Riesling, which is made in the Chataqua Region, off Lake Erie, south of Buffalo: http://www.winedeals.com/21-brix-dry-riesling-2012-750-ml-73135.html. It's outstanding.

Thanks, Howie, both for the link and the personal recommendation on the Chataqua wine--I'd definitely be interested in expanding the theme to include other NY AVA's.

Vignoles is my favorite hybrid grape and you may enjoy this: http://www.winedeals.com/anthony-road-vignoles-2010-750-ml-67854.html. And for something different, here's an outstanding cider that I've enjoyed several bottles of: http://www.winedeals.com/leonard-oakes-steampunk-cider-nv-750-ml-66896.html. As far as other Rieslings, I don't get to the Finger Lakes often, so perhaps Dan Smothergill or someone else would be better at recommendations.

Howie's recommendations about where and what to get are mine also. For some more choices, I'd suggest Ventosa Friulano, Ravine's Dry Riesling, Anthony Road 2012 Gewurztraminer and Wiemer's Chardonnay. Let us know what your group thinks.

Dan, thanks. Wiemar's chardonnay was one of the top wines from our 2010 trip up that way, and I'd definitely want it if it's not too hard to get. (Shipping costs could kill me if I order from too many disparate sources.)

Jenise,

probably too late for this weekend, but try Northside Wines in Ithaca. They ship and have a great selection of FL wines, probably best in the area.

Mark

+1 re Northside in Ithaca..a must stop for us when we are in the Ithaca area

(Shipping costs could kill me if I order from too many disparate sources.)

You probably can get everything Howie and I suggested from Premier (Buffalo/Amhest). I don't know whether Northside has the cider.

Thanks re the recco of the wine store in Ithaca, but I'd already got in touch with someone Howie recommended. I specifically mentioned interest in the 21 Brix Dry Reisling as well as the Wiemer chardonnay, the latter of which was my favorite white of the short 2010 trip I made to the region (so sorry I didn't set something up earlier on that trip so that I could meet some of you, I didn't realize that so many lived within shouting distance of where I'd be).

Anyway, here's his list which doesn't include either of the wines I expressed an interest in, but I'll toss it out here for your collective thoughts. I like the Ravines suggestion, in that Ravines was one of the best wineries I visited when there. Not sure about serving a Rkatsiteli, or even a Cab Franc. Now I get what the latter is to the region, but the geek-level in the group I'm pouring for is fairly low. Most wines aren't intellectually 'interesting' to them and they don't do a very good job of looking at wines within their context, they just think a wine's good or it's not and they live in a wine growing region that has schooled their palates to a far higher degree of ripeness than is typically achievable in New York. Keep that in mind when you consider:

Chateau Lafayette Reneau Pinot Noir
Eveningside Vineyards (unoaked) Chardonnay
21 Brix Gewürztraminer
Ravines Dry Riesling, Argetsinger Vineyard
Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli
Arrowhead Spring Vineyards Meritage Reserve Ravines Dry Riesling
Keuka Lake Vineyards Cabernet Franc

I was unsure if you would want a desert wine, this is world class:
Leonard Oakes Vidal Icewine

Your “Inexpensive” pours
Standing Stone Vineyards Riesling Finger Lakes
Chateau Lafayette Reneau Pinot Noir Blanc (basic dry rose)
Keuka Spring Chardonnay
Glenora Cabernet Franc

The following wines on your list are from the Niagara Escarpment AVA, which is actually quite distinct from the Finger Lakes and is more akin to the Canadian Niagara Escarpment: Eveningside Vineyards (unoaked) Chardonnay; Arrowhead Spring Vineyards Meritage Reserve and Leonard Oakes Vidal Icewine. I've had all of those wines (all very good) and know all the wine makers. 2010 and 2012 were both excellent vintages for the area. Here's a link to an article about the Leonard Oakes Ice Wine: http://thedailynewsonline.com/lifestyles/food/article_aae7555c-4d97-5431-8be5-cac00fc291b4.html.

Howie Hart wrote:The following wines on your list are from the Niagara Escarpment AVA, which is actually quite distinct from the Finger Lakes and is more akin to the Canadian Niagara Escarpment: Eveningside Vineyards (unoaked) Chardonnay; Arrowhead Spring Vineyards Meritage Reserve and Leonard Oakes Vidal Icewine. I've had all of those wines (all very good) and know all the wine makers. 2010 and 2012 were both excellent vintages for the area. Here's a link to an article about the Leonard Oakes Ice Wine: http://thedailynewsonline.com/lifestyles/food/article_aae7555c-4d97-5431-8be5-cac00fc291b4.html.

Yes, I understand, and I like the idea of spreading out. But put the Wiemar chardonnay and the one above side by side. Any contest? I suspect the Wiemar would win handily, and if that the case it's what we should use. Like I said, it's what's in the glass that makes them happy.

I've never had the Weimer Chardonnay (unless it was at the winery many years ago), so I can't really compare them. The Eveningside has been praised by wine writers and bloggers from Buffalo and Toronto. I like it.

Howie, just talked to Ed. The Wiemer wasn't recommended because unfortunately they don't have it in stock at present. I'm cutting out the Dr. Frank (so hated that winery's insulting cattle-car approach to a tasting room, I find myself not wanting to buy anything of theirs) and substituting something else. May look into buying the Wiemer from someone else, too.

Perhaps from the winery? I can't seem to find their shipping info. Maybe you could call them.
http://wiemer.com/wines/chardonnay/

I can put you in touch with John Zuccarino - he should be able to source you some 'fighting' varietals.....

LOL Bill! Poor guy--recognized him in a restaurant we dined at there in 2010. Unfortunately, part of what called him to my attention was the fact that he could barely walk.

I was wondering about this. Did your shipments arrive OK? When is the event?

Did the event ever happen?

Yes it did, Howie, a few months ago--in June. I guess I never got around to writing up tasting notes. Some of the wines were good, but several were QUITE disappointing. I'll see if I can dig up my notes.