Good NY Wine

[grape-o]

I am having a hard time finding a great wine from the finger lakes area. The wines taste a bit harsh or watery.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Grape-O, and welcome to the Wine Board. Try Heron Hill Dry Riesling. It's yummy.

[Thomas]

Can you describe what you mean by "harsh?" Give us an idea of the sensation you get that you do not like.

Also, are you referring to red, white or both?


[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 11-26-2001).]

[grape-o]

Harsh- very "alcoholly". I have a hard time enjoying the fruity or grapy taste. I prefer Red wines, Merlots, Pinot Noirs.

[Innkeeper]

It is purely coincidental that my red recommdation comes from the same winery, but here it is: Heron Hll, Eclipse. It is a Bordeaux type blend, called Meritage in California. Both this one and the riesling came from Foodie's shop in NYC at different times. He used to run a winery in the Finger Lakes, and knows that of what he speaks.

[Thomas]

Thanks IK.

Grapo, very few Finger Lakes wines are identified as alcoholly; it is a cool growing region and is not known for high alcohol wines--Rochester is in the region so I assume you refer to local wines.

I suspect you are reacting to the wines' acidity and not the alcohol. I suspect it for two reasons: the word "harsh" and the kind of reds you seem to like (although Merlot and Pinot Noir are quite a breed apart).

The reds on Long Island are likely to please you more than the ones in upstate NY. That Eclipse IK speaks of is produced, in part, from grapes grown on Long Island.

[grape-o]

Thanks everyone for your input. I guess it was the acidity that I was referring to. If Long Island is a good place for wines, what are some brands that you prefer?

[Thomas]

I like Lenz, Pelligrini, Paumanac, Schneider and Macari reds--but relative to European wines (and many Calif.), most are not priced to compete.

[Scoop]

Add to that list of Long Island wines Bedell and Gristina.

But I agree with Foodies QPR point.

Cheers,

Scoop