Winemaker Notes
Ravines Dry Riesling is a unique and elegant expression of the Finger Lakes terroir. The bouquet of the wine is delicate with intricate aromas of white flowers mingled with pear, apple and citrus notes followed by a lingering mineral finish and a vibrant acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Drawn from the White Springs and 16 Falls vineyards, this riesling shows fusil notes and phenolic lift in its aromatics. It’s firm and tense, the lemon and wheat flavors conveyed with a dramatic immediacy, but the lasting impression on this wine is its drive, an electric, pulsating acidity that makes this the sort of riesling to pair with the pure flavors of scallop crudo.
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James Suckling
An inviting nose of stone fruit, hazelnut and lily. Medium-bodied with lovely wet-stone and slightly nutty character. Good harmony and nuance.
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Wine Spectator
Pure and delightful, yellow apple, peach and jasmine notes stream along together, with a flash of honeysuckle on the finish.
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.