Water into Wino

Atwater Dry Riesling 2007

Atwater Dry Riesling 2007
Finger Lakes, New York ($17)

There are just too many stunning Rieslings being made in the Finger Lakes to keep track of these days. Even though producers like Wiemer, Dr. Frank and Anthony Road tend to get the loudest press there are dozens of wineries making world-class versions in every style imaginable.

My past perception of Atwater is that they are a consistent producer that does everything well while not having one headlining wine or line of wines. If it weren’t for this bottle being sent as a part of several Taste NY samples, I probably would have over looked it on the shelf.

Pale gold in the glass, this Riesling jumps out of the glass with mandarin orange, peach and lime with some light petrol notes. For lack of a better description, the nose to me was very German. Fresh and lively on the palate with refreshing acidity in the package of a supple mouth feel. It finishes clean and delicious.

I was very impressed with this Atwater wine. Combining intense aromas, fresh acidity and a delicate palate this wine showed some serious structure. At this point the petrol notes are well incorporated but they may become off putting in time though. We’ll have to wait and see. In a playing field of many great Rieslings this one still shows that it can compete with the rest in the region, adding Atwater to the list of producers I mentioned at the top of this post.

Cave Spring Cellars Riesling 2004

Cave Spring Riesling 2004 demi sec
Canada, Ontario, Jordon ($13)

Last time I ventured north of the border to Ontario wine country I intended on visiting Cave Spring Cellars in the town of Jordon. My tasting schedule was Niagara on the Lake area intensive, but this time I wanted to travel west towards the towns of Jordon and Beamsville where there are several more established wineries. On the way, I stoppped at Stonechurch Vineyards where I picked up a couple bottles of white wine and then drove west another 10 minutes to realize that these wineries weren't as close as they look on the map. This caused me to panic and then turn the car around to hit some other wineries closer to the good old USA border. Luckily the American wine stores back on the other side sell wines from Cave Spring Cellars as well as several others. So I settled on buying a Cave Spring Riesling demi sec 2004 to bring back home to NYC.

Pale straw color. Aromas of green apple. Silky texture with peach and apple flavors combined with mineral notes. A very well balanced sugar to acid ratio. Finishes clean with a hint of spice. One of my favorite white wines I've tasted from that region. I paired it with thai food, but next time I'd probably try a sweeter riesling with the crazy spice of my spicy basil leaf noodles. My grade: A-

Henry of Pelham Riesling 2003

Henry of Pelham Riesling Reserve 2003 Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula ($10)

I hate to admit it, but I am still opening up to white wines. With warmer weather approaching and my new appreciation for seafood and spicy Asian dishes, I find myself looking for whites more often to pair with dinner. Last year my trip to Ontario wine country clinched my love for Riesling and Gewurtz from Canada. I’ve long since drank the bottles from that trip, but I found a bottle or two at Astor Wines that remind me of the flavors and textures I enjoyed there.

This delicious dry Riesling from the Niagara Peninsula is a bargain at $10. Aromas of pear and green apple are quite evident. It’s supple mouth feel and slightly full body form a texture that satisfies my palate. Cleansing flavors that sport some tropical notes on the finish make this a very well balanced white that I will buy again. My grade: B+

Konzelmann Riesling 2002

Konzelmann Riesling 2002 Canada, Niagara Peninsula ($9)

This medium dry Riesling from our friendly neighbors to the north is a great example of the values coming from that region, that is if you can find them. In Niagara Falls, NY, where I picked this one up, the selection of Canadian wine is substantial. Marked down to only $5 at "Supermarket Liquors," I should have bought a case. This particular Riesling has more sugar than the standard Konzelmann Riesling and doesn't seem to garner the critical praise that the off dry and the late harvest do.

A home cooked asian style spicy pork dish called out for this bottle last week. Aromas of pineapple and honey. The palate offered pear and green apple with tropical accents. Silky smooth texture and well balanced overall. The finish is long and made a fantastic pairing for my dinner that night. I don't think there's a better value for the mark down price of $5. My grade: B