For our current March/April 2015 issue’s Wines of the Season column, we asked local winemakers to send us wines that fit into the category of light, fresh varietals that they’re excited about for spring. Hosted at Coltivare in Downtown Ithaca, the EFL staff and a number of other wine professionals and enthusiasts tasted the submitted wines. Below is one of the wines that made our final list of favorites. For the full list, be sure to pick up a copy of the issue!

Finger Lakes Wine of the Week:

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2014 Wiltberger Vineyard Field Blend Dry Rosé

By Nicholas Baldwin

The popularity of dry rosés has increased tremendously over the past few years, especially from regions such as Provence, France, and certain areas of Spain. The Keuka Spring Vineyards 2014 Wiltberger Vineyard Dry Rosé is another fantastic showing in the growing list of rosés from right here in the Finger Lakes.

Keuka Spring Vineyards has blended two red grapes that thrive along the shores of the Finger Lakes: Cabernet Franc and Lemberger. It is pale pink in color with slight orange hues when held to the light. It has a delicate clean nose and aromas of white peach, sweet pastries, lemon, strawberries, and raspberry. The mouthfeel is silky, with medium acidity. It isn’t hot and is balanced with a subtle kiss of sweetness. This rosé lingers on the tongue longer than expected.

With the temperature rising and snow melting, this wine would be a fantastic to open after a day of working in the yard, while firing veggies, seafood and poultry on the grill. One of the best parings would be homemade pizza. I would recommend topping one with goat cheese, asparagus, and prosciutto, cooking it on the grill and pouring a chilled glass of this Finger Lakes rosé.

Nicholas Baldwin has worked in the wine and spirits business for more than 12 years and traveled the world visiting vineyards. He holds numerous wine certifications. 

For more Wines of the Season tasting notes from our March/April 2015 issue, click here!