QUICK REVIEW: Leidenfrost Vineyards

Five from Leidenfrost Vineyards

Named after the original founder, this farm has been growing grapes since 1947, and growing Vinifera grapes (the European varietals most often used in wine) since the 1980s.

US, New York, Finger Lakes, Leidenfrost Vineyards, Dry Riesling, 2009
+ // Crisp // Citrus, Lychee // Lemon, Oak // Medium

US, New York, Finger Lakes, Leidenfrost Vineyards, Baco Noir, 2010
+ // Earthy // Plum, Pepper, Leather // Dark Cherry, Bitter Chocolate // Medium

US, New York, Finger Lakes, Leidenfrost Vineyards, Catawba (rosé), NV
+ // Sweet // Rose, Lychee // Apple, Lychee // Full

US, New York, Finger Lakes, Leidenfrost Vineyards, Merlot, 2007
+ // Spicy // Plum, Leather, Tobacco // Smoke, Tobacco // Full

US, New York, Finger Lakes, Leidenfrost Vineyards, Encore 2, NV
+ // Sweet // Floral, Clove // Honey, Sweet Plum, Sweet Grape // Medium

Unexpected Finger Lakes

Some of the pleasantly surprising finds from our recent trip to the Finger Lakes:

• 2010 Chardonnays coming out of the Finger Lakes rival anything from California. The cool climate, coupled with an unusually mild fall, helped ripen the fruit further to produce lush flavors in this year's Chardonnays.
• The Muscat Ottonel grape, a hybrid out of Cornell, has come to maturity just this year and is available at many wineries. A welcome addition to the Vitis Vinifera grapes already available in the region. Fruity, acidic, sip-able. Not too sweet.
• Many of the 2010 Rieslings taste like peach. It's pleasant, it's different. Again, not too sweet. An extreme contrast from the green apple flavors in the 2009 Rieslings.

Oak barrels at Keuka Springs

Tina's article published on Palate Press

Please take a moment to read Tina's article, published on Palate Press this week and featuring the Traminette grape.

http://palatepress.com/2011/08/wine/cornell%E2%80%99s-traminette-fascinates-finger-lakes/