WINTER is the TIME to drink WINES from the FINGER LAKES by Philip S. Kampe

New Year's has just passed and one of my New Year's resolutions is to drink Finger Lake wines during the winter, rather than limit them to summer and the typical wine pairing with spicy food.
Typically, winter is the time to drink the heavier and heratier wines, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Shiraz (Syrah). As winter wears on and there is a chill in the air, it is the time to consider drinking what we know as summer wines. Summer wines in my neck of the woods means mostly white wines that vary from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to Albarino to Rieslings.
There is this mystique about drinking summer wines in the winter. And the wines from the Finger Lakes fill the bill. I believe there are 59 vineyards in the Finger Lakes. The wines price points vary, but, are all reasonable. Dollar for dollar New York's Finger Lake wines are an exceptional value.
The wines I treasure are from numerous vineyards. You should be able to find most of these brands at your local wine shop. If not, please ask your shop keeper to order them for you.
The best known winery from the Finger Lakes is DR. KONSTANTIN FRANK http://www.drfrankwines.com/ . His award winning Rieslings , especially the 2007 Dry Riesling, are all standouts. Try Dr. Konstantin Frank's Gewurztraminer, which is exceptional.
Another winery that is well known and one of my favorites is WAGNER http://www.wagnervineyards.com/ . Wagner produces Dry Rieslings, Semi Dry Rieslings, Select Rieslings, Gewurzreaminer and late harvest wines. All of their wines are wonderful and fairly priced.
There are many smaller vineyards whose wines stand out. Look for wines from HERON HILL http://www.heronhill.com/ , GLENORA http://www.glenora.com/ , WHITE SPRINGS http://www.whitespringswinery.com/ and CHATEAU LAFAYETTE RENEAU http://www.clrwine.com/ . These producers create affordable wines.
2010 is here and it is time to sample these great wines in the winter. Make it your New Year's Resolution.....
If you need more information on the Finger Lake Vineyards, visit http://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com/ or call 800-813-2952.
Make another Nre Year's Resolution to visit the vineyards in 2010. There are three major wine trails in the Finger Lakes: Seneca ( 35 vineyards) ; Keuka ( 8 vineyards) and Cayuga ( 16 vineyards).
Learn about the wines in the winter and visit the vineyards in the summer and harvest season (September and October).
Maybe I will see you there.
Philip S. Kampe