Finger Lakes Wine of the Week:
Barnstormer Winery 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling
By Nicholas Baldwin
Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is a true sign that springtime has officially arrived in the Finger Lakes. It’s a weekend when boats hit the water and grills get fired up. There’s nothing more satisfying than sipping on a glass of Semi-Dry Riesling outside with your shades on while enjoying your extended holiday weekend.
Barnstormer Winery in Dundee has made one of the better 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling I’ve tasted thus far. It’s their flagship wine and it shows. It has aromas of white peach, lemon, tangerine and grapefruit, with a dollop of sweetness on the tip of your tongue that’s balanced by 12.4-percent alcohol-by-volume. It has a lingering finish, but with its bright acidity, you’ll be quenching a second sip as quickly as the first.
While fresh local produce isn’t fully in season yet, this wine would make a great pairing simply with strawberries and raspberries right off the vine. Also, the 2013 Barnstormer Semi-Dry Riesling will accompany spicy Asian cuisine, or barbecue-marinated chicken, bell peppers and pineapple kabobs hot off the grill. Whether you’re indulging in food off your grill or while anchored on a boat in the middle of one of the Finger Lakes, this Barnstormer Semi-Dry Riesling is a go-to wine.
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 of Nicholas Baldwin’s wine tasting notes, click here.
