New York Wine Country Wine Tour
Some of the country's oldest vineyards can be found in New York State.
The first vines were planted by the Dutch and Hugenots in the Hudson Valley Region,
during the 17th century. Commercial production of New York wine didn't start
until the 19th century. New York is home to the first bonded winery in the
United States of America, Pleasant Valley Wine Company, located in
Hammondsport, New York. The state of New York is also home to America's
oldest operating winery, Brotherhood Winery, in the Hudson Valley. It has been
making wine for almost 350 years. The Finger Lakes region is the central area of
New York's wine industry.
New York has over 200 wineries in some of the most scenic areas of the state.
The state has four wine-growing regions including Lake Erie on the western end
of the state, the Finger Lakes in the west-central area, Hudson River Valley which
is north of New York City, and on the eastern end of Long Island.
Vitis Vinifera, Riesling grapes are used to make some of the highest quality
wines in New York, others are made from French hybrids, American hybrids
and Vitis Labrusca. Remember folks, it's all about the grapes.
Taking a tour of New York Wine Country will allow you experience a high standard
in wine tasting. Some of the wines popularly made in New York include Riesling,
Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling wines and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Vitis Vinifera account for less than ten percent of the wines produced in New York
with Catawba, Deleware, Niagra, Elvira, Ives and Isabella from the American hybrids.
Other French hybrids include Aurora, Baco Noir, DeChaunac and Seyval Blanc, but
Cayuga, Vidal and Vignoles are noted to make the best of the French hybrid varieties.
Vignoles is used particularly well in ice wines. Of the Vitis Vinifera, the Rieslings are
noted for the most consistent and best quality, while Chardonnay in the Finger Lakes
region is noted to take on characteristics of leaner styled Burgundy whites.
New York Wine Country offers old world excellence in winemaking, visiting is a must
experience for anyone interested in learning more about wine, or for the individual
that is a wine enthusiast and enjoys tasting fine quality, New York wine.