Finger Lakes Wine of the Week:
Lakewood Vineyards 2013 Pinot Gris
By Nicholas Baldwin
Pinot Gris is a varietal that can grow very well in the Finger Lakes region. Its flavors can vary from cool climate growing regions to warm climates. The acidity is high and sometimes tart, or medium and rich. Lakewood Vineyards in Watkins Glen, owned by the Stamp family, shows off a medium-bodied, dry Pinot Gris from the Gigliotti Vineyard.
A family-owned and -operated winery for more than two decades, Lakewood produces cool climate varietals such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris that are among the best in the Finger Lakes. With aromas of sweet lemon, and fresh herbal, grapefruit and honeydew melon notes, the 2013 Pinot Gris boasts a hefty 13.7-percent alcohol-by-volume, which is balanced by its rich acidity that lingers on the finish. This wine is afantastic pairing for shellfish, young cheeses, and fresh cut tomatoes salads with balsamic vinaigrette. If you enjoy Pinot Gris/Grigio wines from around the world, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of this outstanding example from the Finger Lakes and support your local grape growers and winemakers.
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.