N ew York vintners in the Finger Lakes region are celebrating the release of their 2011 Rieslings, and they are offering a chance for four people to travel there for a tasting at the winery of their choice.
The fun kicks off Sept. 4 as 20 wineries share their Rieslings with their fans. The wineries will offer tastings, special events throughout the month and even an event in New York City. There will be tasting events at restaurants, wine shops, wineries, and specialty events throughout New York State. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance will also host Riesling Hour, a social media driven Finger Lakes Riesling tasting on Facebook and Twitter.
The main event will be the Ultimate Riesling Experience where one lucky winner and three friends will get a one-of-a-kind tasting experience. It’s easy to enter the contest. Just follow this link and fill out the form: http://www.rieslinglaunch.com/. Only persons 21 or older may enter the contest.
While you are at the website you can learn about the wineries and events involved in what they call 2011 Vintage Riesling Launch.
The wineries had a similar event last year and were so pleased with the results they decided to make it an annual party.
“Riesling Launch celebrates the arrival of the new Finger Lakes 2011 Riesling vintage. This is an exciting time, as we taste the 2011 Rieslings and ready ourselves for the 2012 harvest,” says Bob Madill, Partner and Winegrower of Sheldrake Point Winery and Chairman of Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. “Our bright, fresh and vibrant 2011 wines echo the life and energy that abounds in the Finger Lakes at this special time of year. Come and celebrate with us.”
The 2011 Finger Lakes Riesling Launch will be a sponsor of Harvest in the Square, presented by Union Square Partnership, taking place at Union Square Park in New York City on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 6 p.m. Twenty Finger Lakes Riesling producers will be paired with “chefs from the hottest and most popular restaurants in the Union Square District,” according to the events website, to enhance the Riesling tasting experience for attendees. For more information, www.harvest.unionsquarenyc.org.
Another highlight of the month is the virtual Riesling tasting, Riesling Hour on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 6 p.m. Both members of the media and consumers are encouraged to grab their favorite bottle of Finger Lakes Riesling, pour a glass, and join the conversation by sharing their photos and thoughts about the Riesling in their glass on Twitter using #FLXWine hashtag or on the Facebook Fan Page, Finger Lakes Wine.
Riesling is one of the noble grapes of the world. It thrives in the Finger Lakes region, where there are nearly 1,000 acres of Riesling. Slate soils and microclimate conditions combine to produce wonderful wines. Many people are surprised by the high quality when they try a Finger Lakes wine. It doesn’t have to come from California or Oregon or Washington to be a great American wine.
Here are the wineries participating in Riesling Launch:
Anthony Road Wine Company
Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars
Fox Run Vineyards
Fulkerson Winery
Glenora Wine Cellars
Hosmer Winery
Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant
Lakewood Vineyards
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Lucas Vineyards
Montezuma Winery
Ravines Wine Cellars
Red Newt Cellars
Seneca Shore Wine Cellars
Sheldrake Point Winery
Standing Stone Vineyards
Swedish Hill Winery
Thirsty Owl Wine Company
Three Brothers Wineries & Estates
Wagner Vineyards
From: Finger Lakes
Year: 2011
