Jimmy's Best of New York

The Finger Lakes AVA
Established as an AVA in 1982, the history of winemaking in Finger Lakes dates back to the first half of the nineteenth century. However, it wasn’t until more than one-hundred years later, in the early 1960s, that the region’s wine industry really began to flourish following the successful introduction of European Vitis Vinifera varieties grafted onto hardy, native rootstock. Today the appellation is New York’s largest and most prestigious winemaking region, receiving both domestic and international acclaim for its cool climate varietals. It is home to more than one-hundred wineries / winemakers whose collective passion and innovation have helped to establish it as a high quality viticultural region. Despite the often harsh conditions and the difficulties they pose for growers and winemakers, a huge number of different grapes are successfully cultivated in Finger Lakes. These include European Vitis Vinifera varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc plus French-American hybrids and indigenous grapes.

Long Island AVA
The first vineyard was planted in 1973 at Peconic Bay Winery and in 2001, the AVA was established here for the North Fork, South Fork and the Hamptons. The original vines are still producing wine under the Borghese label. The first grapes to be planted and harvested for wine was Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound, we have a maritime climate and do get to experience the weather of each season here. It is now one of the most expensive places to own a winery being so close to Manhattan and the Hamptons. Long Island has been compared to Bordeaux in terms of latitude and climate and has allowed 59 wineries to now flourish here in this emerging part of New York State.

Wines on Tasting:

• 1. Konstantin Frank Blanc de Blancs Traditional Method, Keuka Lake, 2017

  2. Hermann J Weimer Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, 2020

  3. ⁠Red Newt Cellars, Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, 2015

  4. Hermann J Weimer Gewurtztraminer, Finger Lakes, 2020

  5. ⁠Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli Amber, Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, 2019

  6. ⁠Red Hook, Robert Foley Vineyard Selection Chardonnay, Long Island North Fork, 2018

  7. ⁠Osmote, Cabernet Franc, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, 2021

  8. ⁠Hermann J Weimer Magdalena Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes, 2020