Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Semi-Dry Riesling comes in with 11.5% alcohol, 25 grams per liter of residual sugar and 7.3 grams of total acidity. Sourced from Seneca Lake, this Semi-Dry is pretty terrific this year (and in many others). Full in the mouth, it finishes with a somewhat sweet edge but the underlying acidity cuts the sugar nicely. The finish lingers, with acidity, sugar and fruit well balanced. As it warms it leans more to the sex appeal side of the ledger but the juicy finish also has a burst of acidity that manages to hold the sugar in check. At the price point this is a can't-miss bargain. It should age rather well, too. The sugar will no doubt fade a bit in time.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
As the most historic wine-producing region in New York state, winemaking in the Finger Lakes area dates back to the 1820s and today as a region, accounts for 90% of the state’s total wine production.
Its narrow and deep lakes created by the movement of Ice Age glaciers create an environment similar to the classic Riesling-loving regions of Europe, namely Germany and Austria. The Finger Lakes retain summer heat that incidentally warms up cold winter air, making it fall down from the lakes’ steep slopes. When spring comes, the lakes, already cooled by cold winter weather, stave off vine budding until the danger of frost has subsided. The main lakes of the zone, that is those big enough to moderate the climate in this way, are the focal points of prime vineyard areas. They include Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga.
While Riesling has fueled most of the region’s success, today Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc enjoy some attention.