2010 Atwater Estate Gewurztraminer – Finger Lakes, NY – $19
The Movie Star! Ginger, that is. Could we have given her a wine on Gilligan’s ol’ Island to embody the sexy essence of her super-stardom, this would be it. Not only is there a beautiful burst of her namesake rhizome, thre’s a whole bunch of other textural and flavor elements going on here. Likely, because these are from some of Atwater’s older vineyards, planted in ’72 and ’82 respectively. There’s a drop of residual sugar here that adds more slippery body than sweetness, and this Gewurz gets a really cool bit of grip to its silky texture from a sleep-on-it, overnight skin-fermentation. The floral nose and intense flavors of that trademark ginger, pear, lychee, white pepper, and clove are dazzling, but unlike your typical Hollywood starlet, balanced!

2009 Fox Run Lemberger – Finger Lakes, NY – $16
Blaufrankisch! It’s what all the cool kids are drinking. But Blau’s whip-lean, sometimes stemmy self can be a little bit bossy in your mouth. Even to say! It’s a lot to get your tongue around. Which, maybe, is why we’re really digging Fox Run’s Lemberger (the other calling card for Blau). Here, the fruit is on the softer side–blackberries and plums, but with that trademark peppery, peppy personality that this grape is known for. Slow-cook up some pork shoulder and sip on this.

2008 Atwater Estate Cabernet Franc – Finger Lakes, NY – $20
Atwater’s ruby-jewel hued Cabernet Franc lines your mouth with its plushy texture and ripe flavors of red plums, cherries, and cocoa powder, and a welcome tea-leaf finish that brings this stunner to a long, lush, slightly savory finish. Atwater winemaker Vinny Aliperti is a big fan of fresh fruit in his wines, and we think this beautifully balanced Cab Franc really shows not just how lovely Cab Franc can be, but its great potential in the FLX, too. With this, treat yourself to a nice, seared filet mignon with a reduced balsamic glaze, and raise a glass to NY.

15% off featured wines during the tasting!

There’s a whole lotta wing-and-a-prayer, bootstrappin’, entrepreneurial chutzpah that’s brought NY State wine to the place it is today — from the early experimenters 40 years ago on Long Island’s North Fork to the good Dr. Konstantin Frank who was convinced that vinifera would be victorious in the Finger Lakes.

2010 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling – Finger Lakes, NY – $17.50
Wine production in the Finger Lakes began in 1862, but it was winemaker Dr. Konstantin Frank (the charming fella above leaning on the barrel) who revitalized the region after the triple-blow of phylloxera, Prohibition, and World War II. His dry Riesling is one of the best examples of its kind in the region with its pale golden color, silky texture, and clean, stony finish. Refreshingly aromatic with scents of dried pineapple and orange blossom, this wine works with anything from rich pork dishes to shellfish to salads.

2009 Dr Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli – Finger Lakes, NY – $19
One of the oldest vinifera grape varieties known to man, Rkatsiteli is an elegant dry wine that presents a bouquet of fresh flowers and herbs balanced with wonderful fruit and a steely, bracing freshness on the finish. Lime and lemon flavors make this a good pair for with feta and asparagus stuffed chicken.

NV Widow’s Walk Merlot – Long Island, NY – $9
Ever drive out to Long Island on the North Road in the spring, right around the time the tractors are tilling the potato fields, kicking up all that loamy, dry dirt? That aroma–earthy, rooted, distinct — there’s no doubt about it that it’s akin to what you pick up in many a Long Island red. That dark, dusty, warm-earth aroma is right there in this pretty Merlot, along with backyard blackberries and summer black cherries. Juicy but with a nice, lip-smacking tartness to the finish, this is a great wine to pop on a weeknight with a cheddar-topped turkey burger or your mom’s awesome recipe for meatloaf.

15% off featured wines during the tasting!

In Like a Lion – Let’s Eat Some Lamb!
Say goodbye to winter and helloooo, lover to spring with our next deliciously exciting wine dinner at Chez Lola! We’re formulating the mouthwatering menu as we speak and have a fantastic fandango of lusty reds for some lamb-centric culinary — stay tuned for more information in the coming days!