Officially established in 1982, the Finger Lakes region has a storied history of wine production in New York State and is recognized the world over. The deep glacially formed lakes offer sublime growing conditions thanks to the sloping hillsides and moderating effect the lakes have on the temperature of the surrounding area. The main growing regions are centered around Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake (which each have their own AVAs). The majority are clustered around the stunning scenery of the Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca Lakes. While the region’s laser-focused Rieslings have propelled it onto the world stage, there’s more wine to discover. We will sample:

Hermann J Wiemer Flower Day Dry Riesling 2021 — HJW has been named a Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 Winery of the Year for 2023 (the 13th time for this honor). Founded in 1979, the Wiemer estate spans 90 acres of prime vineyard sites on the western slopes of Seneca Lake and the wines are among the most acclaimed in the region. Estate fruit is hand-harvested and hand-sorted, and vineyard qualities are worked in small lots and then blended to create wines of balance and texture. The first block of Riesling was planted over forty years ago. The first ever bottling of this Riesling, 100% stainless steel; fresh and exuberant in nature and dry with an almost playful effervescence. 12% ABV. Rating: 91, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 90, Wine Spectator Magazine. Regularly $37.50, on sale $27.99/$9.50

Standing Stone Vineyards Teinturier Saperavi Dry Rosé 2022 — Standing Stone Vineyards is a historic winery nestled in the southeast corner of Seneca Lake where sun and slope aspect greatly impact grape-growing in the Finger Lakes. In 2017, Fred & Maressa Merwarth and Oskar Bynke of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard purchased Standing Stone Vineyards. Since 2018, SSV has eliminated synthetic inputs and herbicides in the fields, planting cover crops, and moving towards bio-intensive farming for a diverse ecosystem and leading the industry in sustainability. Teinturier Saperavi Rosé is named for the dark-fleshed Georgian Saperavi grape and strikes the balance between lean, vibrant acidity and a hint of fruit. Dark pink in color with a nose of spice and strawberry. Notes of fresh strawberry on the palate. Some tannins make it dry, chewy and complex. Saperavi is a Georgian varietal unique for having pigmented pulp. That means no skin contact is needed to provide the pink color of this dynamic rosé. 12.5% ABV. Regularly $43.99, on sale $39.99/$13

See you Friday!