Salmon Run Riesling 2007

After having lived in Rochester for one year and a half, I've tasted quite a few Finger Lakes Rieslings. While there are a lot of different interpretations of this wonderful grapes, I've found a few common characteristics: Finger Lakes wineries favor sweeter Rieslings (semi-dry and sweet Rieslings are more common and even dry ones have distinctive sweet flavors), floral and mineral scents are preferred to hydrocarbons, Rieslings are made to be drunk young.

Dr. Konstantin Frank, the founder of the winery named after him, is recognized as having led the revolution in wine quality in New York State and the East Coast and for bringing the vitis vinifera in the cold New York State climate. His winery is today a very good representative of the Finger Lakes region potentiality in high quality wine making.

Tasting notes: Bright pale yellow color. The nose is floral (rose) and mineral (steel, chalk). The palate is dominated by a crisp acidity, slightly damped by a light sweetness (the residual sugar is not declared, though). Pleasant medium finish, leaving plenty of rose water flavors in the mouth. This is a very typical and unpretentious dry Finger Lakes Riesling (which are never really dry), favoring floral and mineral flavors and lacking the mesmerizing petroleum flavors found in Alsatian and Italian Rieslings.

Score: 84/100

Price: $11.99

Ravenswood Petite Sirah California 2006

Napa Valley was the first US wine region I became acquainted with and the first I had the chance to visit, in 1995. In Italy, "US wines" usually meant California Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons. Gallo, Mondavi and Kendall Jackson were the only brands easily available. Eventually, we learned about other wineries, grapes and regions (mostly Oregon) and prices outrageously increased. So, it's nice to find a Californian wine that is both cheap and actually enjoyable: this Petite Sirah might not be very typical but is a great sip!

Tasting notes: The color is ruby with purple reflections. The nose is fruity (plum and blueberry), spicy (ginger) with a hint of vanilla and green pepper. The palate is smooth and velvety, alcoholic with a good structure; the oak, although in good evidence, is nicely blended with the fruit. A nice wine overall, even if lacking true varietal syrah flavors.

Score: 84/100

Price: $8.99