Boldly, NY was an invite to discover wines from New York State. Organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, the stop in Montreal was held April 18, 2023 at the panoramic hall of the Montreal Science Centre in the Old Port.
The tasting event started with a Masterclass hosted by wine connoisseur Nadia Fournier. It was the perfect opportunity to learn about AVAs - the American Viticultural Areas - and take a deep dive into New York State's emerging wine styles - aromatic whites, refreshing reds, hybrid varietals and natural wines. With 13,000 hectares of vineyards spread over 530 kilometers, between 7 AVAs and 4 sub-AVAS, the diversity is already great and new wines are emerging every year!
The Masterclass was organized with cross-regional varietal tastings - Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc - which demonstrated the characteristics of the appellations, and a New York incursion into the world of hybrids, whose as yet unexplored potential is very promising.
Nadia did a great job explaining the 7 AVAs of New York:
- Champlain Valley of New York
- Finger Lakes
- Hudson River Region
- Lake Erie
- Long Island
- Niagara Escarpment
- Upper Hudson
as well as commenting on the various lakes linked to these AVAs.
The Masterclass also included lively conversations with winemakers about sustainable agriculture, climate change and low-intervention viticultural practices while we tasted these 16 wines:
- Dr. Konstantin Frank Brut 2019, Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes AVA This elegant Brut is a blend with 55% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier.
- Living Roots & Co Pét-Nat 2022, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA 100% Riesling with an interesting and attractive pineapple aroma.
- Lamoreux Landing unoaked Chardonnay 2021, East Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Riesling 2020, Canandaigua Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Forge Cellars Classique Riesling 2019, East Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Red Newt The Knoll Riesling Lahoma Vineyards 2018, West Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Ravines Dry Riesling Argetsinger Vineyard 2019, East Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Hermann J. Wiemer HJW Riesling 2020, West Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- RG NY Skin Fermented Gewurtztraminer 2021, North Folk, Long Island AVA
- Channing Daughters Rosso Fresco 2020, South Folk, Long Island AVA The 2020 version of this incredible red blend from Long Island is comprised of 56% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Dornfelder, 1% Blaufrankisch and 1% Teroldego.
- Heron Hill Classic Blaufrankisch 2020, Canandaigua Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Element Can't Stop Won't Stop 2018, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA Another great red blend produced with Estate grown Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir & Syrah.
- Kelby James Russell Caberbet Franc 2021, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Red Newt Glazier Ridge Cabernet Franc 2020, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Ravines Cabernet Franc 2021, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
- Element Cabernet Franc 2014, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
After the Masterclass, attendees had the opportunity to walk around and taste and discover other wines and/or wineries available.
I enjoyed the selection of Brotherhood Winery (Washingtonville, NY), America's Oldest Winery (1839). These 2 wines were interesting:
- I Love NY: a blend of 60% Baco Noir, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
- ICON Cabernet Sauvignon
I also liked the Riesling and the Cabernet Franc from Boundary Breaks (Lodi, NY) located North of Lodi Point State Park, on Seneca Lake.
And I finished my tasting with the lovely 2022 Kelby James Russell Dry Rosé, from Red Newt Cellars in Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes AVA
Are you familiar with wines from NY? Any favourite?
