Lamoreaux Landing and #ChardonnayDay!

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Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars

One of the wineries I visited on both of my trips to the Finger Lakes in November 2012 and April 2013 was Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars. During my first trip, I attended their Harvest Celebration Winemakers’ Dinner and on the return trip, I visited the tasting room.

2006 Blanc de Blanc at the Harvest Celebration Winemakers' Dinner

2006 Blanc de Blanc at the Harvest Celebration Winemakers’ Dinner

Lamoreaux Landing has received much recognition in the press, such as being named Wine & Spirits Winery of the Year in 2010 and 2012, and has appeared in Wine & Spirits‘ Top 100 Wineries in the World twice in the past three years, most recently in winter 2012. In the August 2011 issue of Wine & Spirits, Lamoreaux Landing received seven 90+ ratings across four vintages and a best buy designation for their 2009 Dry Riesling. In 2008, New York magazine wrote, Lamoreaux Landing is made upstate near the Finger Lakes, and the cooler climate makes for a fresher, crisper, more elegant Chardonnay than what you’d typically get from California. The winery also graced the cover of Wine Spectator’s May 2006 issue.

2007 Blanc de Blanc welcome!

2007 Blanc de Blanc welcome!

My visit to the tasting room was nothing short of magnificent. The staff welcomed me with a glass of their 2007 Lamoreaux Landing Blanc de Blanc. You can never, ever go wrong with bubbles as a welcome.

Wines paired with chocolate!

Wines paired with chocolate!

The staff also treated me to one of their chocolate and wine flights. I chose the flight that paired local chocolates with their 2011 Grüner Veltliner ($19.99, which I purchased), 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2009 Merlot Block 137, and 2010 76 West (a red meritage blend comprised of 52% Cab Franc, 24% Merlot, 24% Cab Sauvignon). First bubbles, then chocolate and wine? I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

Local chocolates

Local chocolates

Since May 23, 2013 is #ChardonnayDay, I thought it would be the perfect pairing with my post about Lamoreaux Landing. Below are my reviews of two of their Chardonnay offerings.

2008 Chardonnay

2008 Chardonnay

2008 Lamoreaux Landing Chardonnay (purchased at the winery for $12.99 less industry discount)
88 points, Wine & Spirits, and Best Chardonnay from the 2011 NY Wine and Food Classic
I love this barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It has a creamy mouthfeel with oak aromas and flavors like butterscotch, toffee, and vanilla combined with aromas and flavors of apple, citrus, melon, and pear. Even after five years in the bottle, it retains that distinctive cool-climate, Finger Lakes acidity to which I am highly addicted. And it’s only $12.99? Get outta here!

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Finger Lakes
Total Acidity: 9.4 g/L
pH: 3.33
Alcohol by Volume: 12
Fermentation: 67% Oak Barrels
Production Level: 3400 cases

2007 Blanc de Blanc

2007 Blanc de Blanc

2007 Lamoreaux Landing Blanc de Blanc ($24.99 at the winery, media sample provided by Lamoreaux Landing)

Made méthode champenoise, this Chardonnay was harvested and fermented initially in 2007, bottled in 2008, fermented a second time in the bottle, then aged three years en tirage on yeast lees. It’s a delicious, food-friendly sparkling wine, with aromas of bread and yeast, a creamy mouthfeel, complex flavors of citrus, tree fruits, and toast, and mouthwatering Finger Lakes’ acidity.

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Finger Lakes
Total Acidity: 9.2 g/L
pH: 2.97
Alcohol by Volume: 12.6
Fermentation: Stainless Steel and En Tirage
Production Level: LOT #1- 52 Cases

View of Seneca Lake from Lamoreaux Landing

View of Seneca Lake from Lamoreaux Landing

Lamoreaux Landing is one of my favorite wineries and I can’t wait to return. If you’re planning a trip to the area, let me know and I’ll assist and/or refer you to one of the best tasting experiences in the Finger Lakes. And, don’t forget! On Saturday, May 25 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., Finger Lakes Wine Month concludes with Finger Lakes Wine Hour, The World’s LARGEST Finger Lakes Wine Virtual Tasting via Facebook and Twitter! I hope you will join me for this comprehensive tasting of Finger Lakes’ wines.

Hector Wine Company and Forge Cellars

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On my most recent trip to the Finger Lakes, I had the opportunity to taste wines from Hector Wine Company and Forge Cellars. Assistant Winemaker and Marketing Guru, Alexandra Doniger, led me through a comprehensive tasting of their wines in the Hector Wine Company tasting room located on the east side of Seneca Lake in Hector, NY.

Tank Tasting the 2012 HWC Gewürztraminer

Tank Tasting the 2012 HWC Gewürztraminer

Hector Wine Company is a new producer in the Finger Lakes that opened during harvest 2010. It is owned and operated by Jason Hazlitt, Viticulturist and Graphic Designer, and Justin Boyette, Winemaker. According to the company’s website,

The grapes are harvested from neighboring Sawmill Creek Vineyards, Jason’s family business with a rich history of growing exceptional Vinifera and hybrids. Justin, with more than a decade of wine making experience from several Finger Lakes wineries, creates distinct, well balanced and complex wine with these grapes. All aspects of production, from press to bottle, occur on-site; fostering the ideal that a world class wine is handled by its makers from start to finish.

2011 Forge Cellars Riesling

2011 Forge Cellars Riesling

Forge Cellars is a partnership between the aforementioned Justin Boyette, Winemaker; Louis Barruol, Vigneron and Proprietor of Château Saint Cosme in Gigondas in the Rhône Valley of France; and Rick Rainey, the French/Domestic Brand Manager and Sales Educator for Winebow Inc., a wine importer and distributor. Forge Cellars focuses on making two wines, Riesling and Pinot Noir, and the goal is “to make the best Riesling and Pinot Noir possible from the Finger Lakes of New York.” (About Forge Cellars)

Barrel Tasting the HWC 2012 Syrah

Barrel Tasting the HWC 2012 Syrah

I had the opportunity to taste Hector Wine Company’s 2012 Dry Riesling, 2011 Gewürztraminer, 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 2012 pre-release Pinot Blanc, 2011 Essence (red blend), and NV Late Harvest Chardonnay, as well as Forge Cellars’ 2011 Riesling and 2011 Pinot Noir Les Alliés. We also tank tasted Hector Wine Company’s 2012 Gewürztraminer and barrel tasted the 2012 Syrah. I found the wines to be outstanding examples of the varieties, with the characteristic acidity of the Finger Lakes that I have grown to love.

Tank Tasting the 2012 HWC Gewürztraminer

Tank Tasting the 2012 HWC Gewürztraminer

My favorite white wine of the tasting was the 2012 Hector Wine Company pre-release Pinot Blanc ($20). Interestingly, not many wineries in the Finger Lakes make Pinot Blanc, but I have found it to be a variety that does well in this cool climate area. This Pinot Blanc is fruity and light with an earthy, spicy finish.

2011 Forge Cellars Pinot Noir Les Alliés

2011 Forge Cellars Pinot Noir Les Alliés

My favorite red wine of the tasting, and the only red wine I purchased on this trip, was the 2011 Forge Cellars Pinot Noir Les Alliés ($32). It is French in style and reflective of its Finger Lakes’ terroir, with aromas and flavors of dark fruits, earth, smoke, and spice.

2011 HWC Gewürztraminer

2011 HWC Gewürztraminer

On Saturday, May 25 from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., Finger Lakes Wine Month concludes with Finger Lakes Wine Hour, The World’s LARGEST Finger Lakes Wine Virtual Tasting via Facebook and Twitter! During this event, I will be tasting Hector Wine Company’s 2011 Gewürztraminer again along with other samples. I hope you will join me for this comprehensive tasting of Finger Lakes’ wines.

My Return to One Flew South

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I’ve written about One Flew South before, but a restaurant this great deserves another mention. Yesterday I had the pleasure of being in Atlanta longer than planned, which always means a visit to One Flew South. It’s the best way to celebrate being stuck in Atlanta.

The restaurant itself, designed by the Johnson Group, pays homage to a rare pink marble quarried in Jasper, Georgia, while the ceiling and flooring are made of native heart pine. There is also a 30-foot pine and Cherokee marble sushi bar. The walls are made of slatted wood planks.

One Flew South offers a global menu with dishes made from regional foods and ingredients, as well as a full sushi menu. It also has an extensive wine, cocktail, and beer list.

Concourse E Kobe Burger

Concourse E Kobe Burger

When I visit One Flew South, I usually order from the food menu. Last night, I revisited the Concourse E Kobe burger paired with a glass of 2010 Marc Brédif Chinon (Cabernet Franc). The wine is complex and rich, with black cherry, cranberry, and vegetal aromas and flavors and a bit of spice. It holds up well to the half-pound, juicy Kobe burger, which in my opinion, is one of the best burgers ever made. The condiments include goat cheese, shiitake mushroom spread, frisée, tomatoes, and pickles. It’s cooked to order, of course, even medium rare if you wish, and accompanied by five-spice fries.

I don’t hope for delays in Atlanta, but when they occur, the first place I think of is One Flew South. You should, too, the next time you find yourself stuck in Atlanta.

Microclimate a wine bar

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Inside Microclimate

Inside Microclimate

Microclimate [a wine bar] is one of the top five wine bars I’ve ever visited. Partners Stephanie Mira de Orduna and James-Emery Elkin have created a truly incomparable experience where Finger Lakes’ and international wines and food come together in harmony. The bar offers wine flights, wines by the glass or bottle, craft beers, fruit lambics, hard cider, and local and international appetizers.

Sparkling Rosé Flight

Sparkling Rosé Flight

My friend and I arrived just as the bar opened. We opted to try a flight of five sparkling rosés, including a couple from the Finger Lakes, Hermann J. Wiemer and Hands and Heart (both made from Pinot Noir), combined with a Rosato from Spain, an Argentinian rosé made from Malbec, and a Gesellman Blaufränkisch Rosé Brut from Austria. We didn’t take notes, but simply enjoyed each other’s company while tasting this fascinating Finger Lakes-international lineup of rosés.

Antipasto Platter

Antipasto Platter

My friend and I decided to pair the flight with an antipasto platter, again a blend of local and international bread, cheeses, charcuterie, Marcona almonds, and olives. We couldn’t have asked for a better accompaniment. In fact, my friend stopped nibbling and I felt a tad guilty when she told me to finish up the remainder, as it was so scrumptious.

Even after a long day of wine tasting in the Finger Lakes, please don’t return to your hotel just yet. Continue to Geneva, New York to this delicious, intriguing, and unique establishment. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.

Vinehurst Inn and Suites

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Queen Standard Room

Queen Standard Room

During my recent visit to the Finger Lakes, I had the opportunity to stay in a locally-owned and operated property just outside of Hammondsport, New York, thanks to the great team at the Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association.

Bathroom Vanity Area

Bathroom Vanity Area

Vinehurst Inn & Suites was built in 1960 and has become a landmark of sorts for the area. It’s located one and a half miles from Keuka Lake, so it is a great place to start your Finger Lakes adventure, whether it be the great outdoors or the Keuka Lake Wine Trail.

Organic Bathroom Amenities

Organic Bathroom Amenities

A year ago, spring 2012, Veteran JP Oliver and his wife, Kitty, took over ownership of the property. After some renovations and new landscaping, the inn is now open year-round. As Kitty says on their website, We had minor renovations and landscaping done while upgrading features and amenities to make it a wine country getaway destination for travelers coming to the Finger Lakes to try our wines, hike our trails and enjoy our lakes. The inn is an affiliate member of these organizations: Veteran Owned Business, Finger Lakes Trail, Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce, Finger Lakes Cheese Trail, and the Finger Lakes Beer Trail.

The Gorgeous Sink

The Gorgeous Sink

The inn resembles a small hotel in structure, but it is more like a bed and breakfast with regard to its warmth and charm. Each room is uniquely decorated, so no two rooms look alike. Room types include standard rooms with queen or king beds, whirlpool suites, and family suites. Amenities include complimentary parking, wireless Internet and continental breakfast, including homemade muffins made by Kitty Oliver. The accommodations are made to feel like home, right down to the beautiful and unique décor, luxury bedding, meticulously clean rooms, gorgeous sink (yes, I have a thing for cool sinks!), organic bathroom amenities, Egyptian cotton towels, corkscrew, and stemless wine glasses.

Corkscrew and Stemless Wine Glasses

Corkscrew and Stemless Wine Glasses

When I return to the Finger Lakes, the first place I will check for accommodations will be Vinehurst Inn & Suites. I suggest you try them as well, for your home away from home in the Finger Lakes.

Lakewood Vineyards

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Lakewood Vineyards' Tank Room

Lakewood Vineyards’ Tank Room

Lakewood Vineyards was the first winery on my list for my second visit to the Finger Lakes. I arrived at 11:30 a.m. on April 13, 2013 and co-owner Elizabeth Stamp graciously hosted me through one of the most comprehensive tastings of my life: 17 wines and two meads. Yes, in an hour and a half, I tasted almost all of their portfolio, which includes vinifera, hybrid, and native grape wines. It was my first opportunity to try wines made from Baco Noir, Catawba, Cayuga White, Concord, Delaware, Niagara, Valvin Muscat, and Vincent.

Lakewood Vineyards' Barrel Room

Lakewood Vineyards’ Barrel Room

I also spoke briefly with winemaker Chris Stamp. His philosophy of winemaking is to stay as true to the grapes’ inherent qualities as possible and he excels in doing so. Below are some of the highlights of my morning tasting. If you are interested in seeing the complete list of wines tasted, don’t hesitate to contact me with an e-mail address and I’d be happy to send it to you.

Chardonnay blind tasting

Chardonnay blind tasting

2011 Chardonnay, $12.99
What makes this Chardonnay stand out is that it’s fermented in oak from New York State, so it is local through and through. It has all of the good characteristics of an barrel-fermented Chardonnay, aromas and flavors of apricot, butter, coconut, and vanilla. It is a gold-medal winning Chardonnay.

Riesling blind tasting

Riesling blind tasting

2012 3Generations Riesling, $19.99
This wine is named after the three generations of the Stamp family who grew, fermented, and blended this gorgeous Riesling from their finest lot of grapes. It is bone dry with tree fruit aromas, yet tart citrus flavors and the distinctive Finger Lakes acidity. It was one of my favorite wines of the entire Finger Lakes trip.

The vineyard dog

The vineyard dog

2010 Candeo, $12.99
As Elizabeth Stamp told me, this wine is “for those times when champagne is too much and beer is not enough.” Candeo, which means sparkle in Latin, is made from Cayuga White grapes. It’s bubbly, fruity, and fun, perfect for summer celebrations, picnics, and parties.

Cabernet Franc blind tasting

Cabernet Franc blind tasting

2010 Cabernet Franc, $15.99
Cabernet Franc is a black-skinned grape that grows well in the cooler climate of the Finger Lakes. This gold-medal winning example is no exception. It’s bright red in color, with light tannins and aromas and flavors of blackberry, cocoa, oak, and tea.

Valvin Muscat with local cheeses

Valvin Muscat with local cheeses

NV Valvin Muscat (hybrid), $12.99 (New Release)
I had this wine twice, once in the tasting room and again that evening at their wine dinner. It is delightful both alone and paired with local cheeses and mixed fruits. It has aromas and flavors of melon, peach, and pear combined with good acidity and a long finish.

Winemaker Chris Stamp

Winemaker Chris Stamp

2010 Catawba, $8.99
The Finger Lakes area sometimes receives a bit of negative press about this native grape, but it’s very popular and can be quite delicious. I thought this wine would be another great summer sipper, with lots of berry and citrus aromas and flavors. It’s like pink lemonade for grown-ups.

Fightin' in the Finger Lakes

Fightin’ in the Finger Lakes

2010 Borealis, $13.99
This gold- and silver-award winning ice-style wine is made from the common Concord grape, the grapes most of us eat and use for grape juice, jams, jellies, and preserves. If I were to describe it, it would be candy in a glass, but for adults, of course.

Fightin' in the Finger Lakes scorecard

Fightin’ in the Finger Lakes scorecard

The Stamps invited me back to Lakewood that evening for their Fightin’ in the Finger Lakes wine dinner, during which their wines were paired against some of Europe’s comparable offerings in blind tastings accompanied by food. The attendees were given score cards and we rated the wines on color, aroma, taste, and pairing, then the winners were revealed. Lakewood Vineyards won the Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc rounds against offerings from France, while their Riesling lost by just one point to a German offering. I am thrilled to say that I correctly identified all three of their wines before the results were revealed. I am on my way to becoming a Finger Lakes wine specialist.

Thank you again, Elizabeth and Chris Stamp, for your wonderful hospitality and for including me in your wine dinner. You made me feel like family during my visit. When I think of my visit to Lakewood Vineyards, this quote comes to mind:

You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place, I told him, like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again. ― Azar Nafisi

Finger Lakes, here I come again!

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Finger Lakes Wines

Finger Lakes Wines

Below is my tentative itinerary for my return trip to the Finger Lakes. I owe a big thank you to Christina at Finger Lakes Wine Country for organizing my visit, making my reservations, and securing my lodging.

Day 1

11:30 – 12:30 – Lakewood Vineyards

Lunch at Veraisons Restaurant at the Inn at Glenora

2:30 – 3:30 – Anthony Road Wine Company

4:00 – 5:00 – Billsboro Winery

Dinner at Union Block Italian Bistro

View of Keuka Lake

View of Keuka Lake

Day 2

11 – 12 – Hector Wine Company

Lunch at Dano’s Heuriger

2 – 2:45 – Hosmer Winery

3:15 – 4 – Standing Stone Vineyards

4:15 – 5 – Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars

Dinner at Stonecat Café