And then there is New York wine

New York ranks fourth in U.S. wine production, behind California, Washington State, and Oregon. New York is cold and snowy, much like Germany and Austria’s wine regions. The climate presents challenges for wine growing, but through persistence and proper grape selection, its AVAs produce signature wine with cold hearty grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Also, French-American hybrid and indigenous grapes have been successful in New York. The Cayuga grape, a French-American hybrid, was bred at New York’s Cornell University specifically for the Finger Lakes climate.

Interesting Tidbit.

A commercial winery now exists in New York City. In the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, excellent small-batch wines are made from grapes from around the U.S.  

Notable AVAs.

Finger Lakes AVA is centered around the beautiful glacial Finger Lakes region in west-central New York and produces lovely wine. Its three sub-AVAs, Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake, and Keuka Lake’s vineyards, lie along the long, slender, deep lake banks. The largest lake is Cayuga, just under forty miles long and over three miles wide. Award-winning ageable Rieslings are at the pinnacle of the region’s success, but their wine from Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc grapes is unique and delicious.        

Long Island AVA has two sub-AVAs, Hamptons and the North Fork of Long Island AVA, which produce wine two hours from New York City. Better growing conditions exist in the North Fork of Long Island AVA, an official maritime climate moderated by the Long Island Sound. The Bordeaux blends and single-varietal wines made with French grape types Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc are pretty good. 

Recommended Signature Wine.     

Start with a Cabernet Franc from the Seneca Lake AVA. These are medium red to black cherry-colored with medium body, fine tannin structure, clear focused, light, crisp, and brimming with aromas of lively cherries, touches of earthiness, and a little spice.

A Riesling is a must-try Finger Lakes wine from the Keuka Lake AVA. There are many styles: semi-sweet, dry, reserve, and late harvest; the issue is where to start. The recommended wine, to begin with, is a dry Riesling, one without any detectable sweetness. These are fragrant wines with spring fruit blossom scents, balanced acidity, crisp, refreshing, good mouthfeel, and a lingering finish.