Finger Lakes Wine of the Week:
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2013 Grüner Veltliner
By Nicholas Baldwin
One of the fun parts about visiting all the wineries around the Finger Lakes is that sometimes you will stumble upon a gem. Which is precisely what happened to me with the Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2013 Grüner Veltliner. The first wine tasted out of a selection of six, the Grüner was the stand out. Like in Austria, this grape is well suited for cool climate regions and it’s no surprise that more and more Finger Lakes wineries are planting new roots.
With a light lemony color, Hazlitt’s Grüner shows off a remarkable nose. It exudes flavors of white peach, citrus, vanilla bean and kumquat. It has a light-to-medium body and a lingering finish. It has a bright acidity making it a great pairing for lighter, more acidic foods like fresh goat cheese or salad with fruit and vinaigrette dressings. It’s also a great pairing for seafood and Indian cuisine. Next time you’re rolling down the west side of Seneca Lake, be sure to stop into the Hazlitt tasting room and pick up a bottle for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
For more great FLX Grüner Veltliners, grab a copy of our July/August 2015 issue–Grüner is the topic of our Wines of the Season column!
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.
If you’re a Finger Lakes wine producer and would like to submit wines for consideration, please contact Nicholas Baldwin at nick@nicholasbaldwin.com.