Boston Wine Expo Post: The Other Side of the Finger Lakes by Debbie Gioquindo

I was a guest blogger for the Boston Wine Expo which is coming up February 14 & 15, 2015 at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center in Boston.  An Expo not to be missed!  I did attend it a few years back when I had a booth for Happy Bitch Wines and I must say it was a great expo!  If you have a chance and are in the Boston area, I highly suggest attending.

As a guest blogger I thought I would share my post with you on the Finger Lakes.  If you are attending the Expo, don't forget to head over to the Finger Lakes area and taste some New York wines!
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When you think of Finger Lakes wine what word immediately comes to mind?  Riesling!  Yes Riesling is the first wine you think of but there are many other great wines produced and grapes grown in the Finger Lakes. Let’s look at the other side of the Finger Lakes, other than Riesling that grow in this beautiful wine region.

I was not a Blaufrankisch fan until I tasted at Red Tail Ridge Winery on the shores of Seneca Lake.  This grape has been grown in the Finger Lakes since the early nineties.  It is also known as Lemberger. A cold hardy grape, it produces some nice light to medium bodied wine that is deep in color, earthy, fruity with a bit of acidity. This wine won me over.  I am now a fan of Blaufrankisch. There are quite a few producers of Blaufrankisch/Lemberger in this region, so give them a try.

When you hear Gamay Noir, you think of Beaujolais wine from France, which is 100% Gamay.  Beaujolais isn’t the only place Gamay grows well.  Enter the Finger Lakes. Sheldrake Point Vineyards located on Cayuga Lake grows and produces wonderful Gamay.  Expect a light bodied wine with fresh red berries, raspberry and a bit of acidity.  Try this wine at room temperature as well as slightly chilled to see how you like it best.

You might not be able to pronounce it, but Gewurztraminer is widely planted white vinifera grape in the Finger Lakes. The word actually means “spicy grape” and it has a nice spice you will find usually on the finish.   Gewurztraminer for every palate, sweet, semi-sweet, dry and even late harvest and dessert wine.

Here’s a great YouTube video on how to pronounce Gewurztraminer:

If you have the opportunity to taste any of these wines that are produced by a Finger Lakes winery, don’t pass it up.

Open your mind and embrace your palate.

Debbie Gioquindo is a Certified Wine Specialist, Wine Location Specialist and wine blogger who is known as the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess. You can find Debbie on her blog at hudsonvalleywinegoddess.com, on Twitter at hvwinegoddess and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HudsonValleyWineGoddess