Laid Back Friday With Wines From The Finger Lakes

Laid Back Friday With Wines From The Finger Lakes – Episode #409

February 15, 2008

On a laid back Friday Gary Vaynerchuk tries 2 wines from New York State.

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“QOTD 1: I’ve been working on expanding my palate, as far as my budget …” by GavinF
“Gary youre going to hate me. No, its ok…. you cant rant on me, I de…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Herman Wiemer GewurztraminerNew York Gewurztraminer
2006 Herman Wiemer Dry RieslingNew York Riesling

283 Responses

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February 15, 2008

ramona
Love Finger Lakes wine, Thanks for reviewing the 2006 have not had them yet
QOTD; Actually was either one of Libby’s or MacGregors. I drink both regularly
February 15, 2008

AmandaM
Both QOTD: I’ve been trying new stuff pretty much every time I visit the wine shop. It’s be totally awesome. The wine expo last weekend also was a huge eye opener, especially with the NY state wines. I hadn’t had many, but the ones I tried(Riesling and Gewurztraminer) knocked my socks off.
February 15, 2008

Andrew
Gary,

To your question: lately I’ve been trying new wines as often as I can. Two weeks ago I had Cab Franc for the first time, and it blew my frickin’ mind, man. That’s the truth. Cheers to you.

-A
February 15, 2008

Stanvh
Gary,

I’m glad that you are trying some NY State wines. I have long felt that Long Island and the Finger Lakes (with a little bit of Hudson Valley) should be our East Coast Napa — a place that you can visit on a weekend and taste some wonderful wines. From the Finger Lakes region, besides Weimer, you should also try Vinifera Wine Cellars (originated by Konstantin Frank) wines, especially their Rkatsiteli (now there is a rare (in the USA) grape variety for you). Fox Run (although lately I’ve been a bit disappointed with them), Wagner, Red Newt Cellars have all had good offerings in the past. A special shout-out to Shalestone Vineyards (”Red is all we do.”). In a predominately white wine region, Rob Thomas has consistently made some excellent reds – Cabs, Merlot and blends thereof. Glenora is a prolific producer of “pretty good” to “excellent” wines. Lameroux Landing is another good producer. Well, I could go on and on about the Finger Lakes. Don’t get me started on North Fork, Long Island. — I’ll wait until you do a show on those wineries before I list my favorites there.

There are even some pretty good wineries in New Jersey. I will list my favorites there sometime.

RADOOL

Stan
February 15, 2008

TJB
1st QOTD:Very much so.Thanks to you!
2nd QOTD:Pindar Vinyards from Peconic, Long Island makes a blend called Pythagoras,very nice.
February 15, 2008

David K
Last NY wine I drank was a 1994 Weimer Dry Riesling that we had at Thanksgiving. I picked it up at the winery ages ago and must say that it is BY FAR the coolest winery to visit on Seneca Lake. Stay at the Geneva in which is just down the road from the winery. Anyway, if you think these wines are good, try some of thier desert wines. Kind of pricy at $40+/500ml but simply amazing stuff. They could rival some of the finest German wines.
February 15, 2008

BGreen
I’ve been trying all kinds of wines, its been great most of the time, with only a couple disasters (mainly because I went with the more inexpensive of the choices)but I’ve enjoyed some great argentinas, spanish, and my new fave court de rhones. I’m very limited on my choices in Oklahoma, plenty of Cali to go around, very lacking in european wines. Absolutely never a NY wine.
February 15, 2008

benny z
1st post – the finger lakes was the motivation being a cornell alum – love wine tasting there although i wasn’t into in college – now that i live in sonoma county, i’m all about it. really liked cali wines, then took a wine class and it greatly expanded my horizons across the pond. drinking some of that leocadie minervois – love it, loose tobacco – right on – i’m right with the whole southeast france wines, the bomb for under twenty bones nice work gary, and thanks – it’s great to have such elaborate discussion and honesty on these wines, makes choosing them easier.
February 15, 2008

BobMac
QotD1: Absolutely! Never the same wine twice!
QotD2: Nope.
February 15, 2008

Glenn
I have had a red and white from Finger Lakes in 2006 but can’t remember the winery. Neither one tripped my trigger though and I was so pumped up for them. I was on a business trip from San Diego to Virgina Beach and sought out a wine shop with the sole purpose of trying Finger Lake wine. I was so disappointed. They only had like 6 wines from that region and I swear most of the store was all Cali. I traveled 3000 miles to buy the same wines I have in my backyard. Have never seem one here in SoCal.
February 15, 2008

Grapedigger
Never tried a NY sate wine…they’re rarely available in Canada. Yes, I’ve been trying hard to expand may palate. Recently I tried wines made from unconventional grape varieties such as: Nebbiolo, Tannat, Albarino, Cab Franc, petite syrah, Verdejo, Vidal, etc…Cheers
February 15, 2008

Chris
Last NY wine I had was Shinn Estate Red, 75 Merlot, 25 Cab, from Long Island. I think its a nice red table wine at a fair price, and their vineyard uses sustainable farming methods.

I also like Lenz a lot for white, also Long Island
February 15, 2008

BenF
I have been really expanding my pal by trying different things everywhere i go. I no longer go to standbys if i see something new and differnet i go for it…
February 15, 2008

Bob Sikorski
QOTD – We had a Jamesport wine a decade ago, and that was not its best. However, I have heard that LI wines including Jamesport are getting better. Perhaps it is time to try again.
February 15, 2008

Moselman
Many, many moons ago, holidaying from Ottawa to a State Parkin the Finger Lakes region. (Just how long ago â€“ well, I took my son in to Ithaca to see the premiere of Star Wars…). Anyway, we tried several NY wines, can’t remember any wineries except Dr. Frank previously mentioned rings a bell. May have been our first encounter with a Gewurz, and it was a revelation of sorts, not necessarily in positive way.

QOTD: Yes, the move West of the Rockies has made us much more receptive to trying different experiences, including wines.
February 15, 2008

KyleLikesTies
QoTD 1: Yes, I’ve been trying to expand my palate as much as I can; tried a few new whites, explored some malbecs, bought a couple petite sirahs that I’m looking forward to trying.

QoTD 2: I’ve *never* had NY wine, which is particularly embarrassing given that I lived in NY stater for 4 years :~x
February 15, 2008

Araldite
QOTD: a white from the North Salem Vineyard. I don’t remember which because it’s been a while.
February 15, 2008

matt h
QOTD- I have definitely been expanding my pal…chenin blanc and cabernet franc in just the past couple weeks.
February 15, 2008

Tommy Vernieri
I feel like I’ve been doing alright at drinking different things, I haven’t really gotten into the rhythm of buying different things locally yet. I like to do more research if it’s something I’ve never heard of.

I can’t remember the last time NY wine. I think I’ve had a Dr. Frank at some point though. That Gewurtz sounds good though.

I watched the Bourgueil episode, you were so chill back then =).
February 15, 2008

Scott
QOTD: Never had a wine from NY. Can’t say that I’ve seen one before either. If I see this Gvertz I’ll give it a shot.
February 15, 2008

Stu
QOTD: I have not had any New York wines. I have been looking for the Pelligrini cab franc that you tasted on an earlier show, but no one has it.
February 15, 2008

stevek1510
QOTD……Duckwalk Blueberry Port…….deeeeelicious
February 15, 2008

Rhonda
I don’t think I have ever had a wine from NY state. Maybe I should put that on my list of things to do this year!
February 15, 2008

ChezJosh
Q1: Of course I am, Gary. Just the other day, I had a bulgarian wine that was quite delicious. It was a Mavrud, a simple table wine, and it was quite delicious.

Q2: I attended culinary school in the mid-hudson valley area, so I got to experience a number of those wines, most recently from Clinton Vineyards and Millbrook Winery. The Clinton were decent and the millbrook sweeter wines weren’t bad, but they all seem to exhibit what I’ll call the Hudson Valley terroir. Use your imagination.
February 15, 2008

Kristen
Thanks for taping all those eps for the Vaynernation GV. We appreciate it!

QOTD1: Of course, I get bored if I don’t. I’m currently having a 2005 Las Moras Bonarda (not my favorite, but surely drinkable) and I have a vinho verde waiting to be cracked open soon.

QOTD2: Nope, although my parents have and they liked it. But have you had any Wisconsin wine?