Finger Lake Wine Tasting

by Lena Wallace

The Finger Lakes region is known for its wine country.

It is so well known that the Finger Lakes Community College has its own Viticulture and Wine Technology Program. What makes the area a wine haven is the dense mineral soil. Rieslings are the most popular wines in the region. A Riesling is a white wine that has a flowery smell and is on the sweeter side of the taste buds.

However, the wineries have a variety of red and white wines. For beginners, red wines are great with meats and pastas. White wines are best with lighter foods like seafood. The tastes of the Finger Lakes wines are unique as the different styles of wineries.

The Thirsty Owl has a rustic, modern feel walking in to the taste test bar. The winery and vineyards overlook the Cayuga Lake with vineyards surrounding the shop. Furthermore, the 2013 Apple Wine is a tasty sweet wine using locally grown apples. On the red wine list, the TailSpin proves raspberry and pomegranate flavors blend well without being overly sweet. For a dry wine, the 2013 pinot gris has a fruity pineapple flavor, but is not overpowering or too sweet. The winery shop has a woodsy feel to it, the perfect wine spot for an autumn Saturday.

The price is five dollars for five wine samples. Most wineries have this charge. Customers can purchase bottles in the winery store.

Another great location is Sheldrake Point Winery. Also along the Cayuga Lake, this winery was named the 2010 New York Winery of the Year. This winery is a classic with a very modern, clean-cut atmosphere.

Its 2012 Riesling won the gold medal for the 2014 Finger Lakes Riesling Challenge. This white wine is a stand out, with a light peach taste. The 2013 Luckystone Riesling is a great wine for those who do not like wine too sweet or too dry.

The tastes from the wineries are all different, signifying the art of the wine industry. If you want a way to relax outside of class, there’s better way than tasting great local wines.