Winemaker Notes
This Georgian grape variety that dates back to 3000 B.C. and the oldest known grape variety in the world. Elegant, aromatic, and tropical with apricot, passion fruit, pineapple, and mango with undertones of ginger, white pepper, and grassiness. A great alternative for Sauvignon Blanc drinkers.
Cultivated in the Republic of Georgia for millennia, Rkatsiteli is an ancient grape that remains today the country’s most ubiquitous and popular white wine variety. It is important as well in many former Soviet-aligned countries where its cold-hardiness allows it to survive extreme winters and the grape’s inherent high acidity prevents over ripening in hot summers. Somm Secret—The climate of the Finger Lakes, New York is so similar to the wine regions of Georgia, that the conditions have inspired significant plantings there.
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.