Finger Lakes

Ever been wine tasting in this area?

Thoughts?

Thinking of spending a few days here in summer of 2010 since it's in driving distance....

-Mike

Go!

It has been 9-10 years since I was last there but at that time I found tasting in the finger lakes to be very enjoyable. If you can go mid-week its even better. I really enjoy the people working in the finger lakes. Often you are talking to the owner/winemaker and if they are not overwhelmed and you show interest and knowledge they want to talk to you as much as you want to talk to them. Herman escorted us to an improptu barrel tasting after we talked a short time but it was a wednesday before noon and very slow. Not going to happen on a Saturday afternoon.

While touring the area, I highly recommend Glenora and Bully Hill for good lunchtime meals. Bully Hill has an interesting history and good, but not great wines. There are many wineries that have established names, such as Dr. Frank, Heron Hill, Red Newt, etc., but a very nice, small and little known winery that I like is Catherine Vally Winery, located on the east side of Seneca Lake, just north of Watkins Glen. Check out http://www.newyorkwines.org/WineCountry/FingerLakes.ashx. I'm not sure where you are located, so I don't know which direction you are driving from, but you may also want to check out Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and Niagara and/or Chautaqua Counties, NY.

I live in CT...I just wonder if I will really enjoy any of these wines, but then again, I know NOTHING of this area or the wines...

The only North American wines I have tried and enjoyed are from California, Oregon and Washington State. I have tried wines from Long Island, CT and South Carolina and they just didn't do it for me....

If anything, looks like a beautiful area and an opportunity to meet some nice people while opening up the possibility of being pleasantly surprised.

I live in CT...I just wonder if I will really enjoy any of these wines, but then again, I know NOTHING of this area or the wines...

The only North American wines I have tried and enjoyed are from California, Oregon and Washington State. I have tried wines from Long Island, CT and South Carolina and they just didn't do it for me....

If anything, looks like a beautiful area and an opportunity to meet some nice people while opening up the possibility of being pleasantly surprised.

You can't really compare Finger Lakes wines to those of the west coast or SC or CT. I really would not even compare them to Long Island but I can see how some do. Riesling is king in the FL for good reason. Herman Weimer is a can't miss stop in my opinion.

Gewurtz can be good but I am not really a fan of the grape.

Go to Dr. Frank for the Bubbles and the Rkasitelli (spelling?).

If you favor the big reds which it seems you do from some of your other posts, this may not be the area for you. In a good year the FL can make some decent reds but nothing that will remind you of California.

The area is beautiful. I prefer to go during October so I can also pick while I am there. There is something magical about being in the vineyards when the sun rises over the lakes.

[David M. Bueker]

Mike - what kinds of wines do you really like? I'm a CT person who loves Riesling, Gewurztraminer & Cabernet Franc (among other things) and I found lots to like in the Finger Lakes.

Mike - what kinds of wines do you really like? I'm a CT person who loves Riesling, Gewurztraminer & Cabernet Franc (among other things) and I found lots to like in the Finger Lakes.

Cabs....the closer to 100% the better...also love sonoma Pinot Noirs...as for whites, I do like Riesling...and a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

I also enjoy Australian Shiraz and Argentinian Malbecs....

Mike, don't worry about this, and don't overthink it----just do it, man!

Any time you have access to any type of wine country, where you can sample wines, talk to the people, see the operations, it's an advantage---plus, it's one hell of a lot of fun.

Doesn't matter whether you're eminently knowledgeable before you go. Doesn't really matter what types of wines you'll disvover, because it will ALL be a wonderful discovery.

And I can pretty much guarantee you'll meet some fascinating people, eat some great food, and discover some wines that perhaps you'd not been aware of before or never had a chance to try before.

(And that area truly is beautiful too. Gorgeous.)

[David M. Bueker]

I predict you will enjoy many of the whites. The reds are not as robust as you are perhaps used to, but some are very tasty.

Mike, don't worry about this, and don't overthink it----just do it, man!

Any time you have access to any type of wine country, where you can sample wines, talk to the people, see the operations, it's an advantage---plus, it's one hell of a lot of fun.

Doesn't matter whether you're eminently knowledgeable before you go. Doesn't really matter what types of wines you'll disvover, because it will ALL be a wonderful discovery.

And I can pretty much guarantee you'll meet some fascinating people, eat some great food, and discover some wines that perhaps you'd not been aware of before or never had a chance to try before.

(And that area truly is beautiful too. Gorgeous.)

Oh I agree....which is why I am attempting to plan this little visit with our friends, the "Napa Group"...8 of us spent a week in Napa/Sonoma this past March and I think this would be a great opportunity to expand our knowledge, and create some more great memories...