New York Wine Country

The Yankees (not my personal team to root for) are back in the 2010 baseball postseason. They represent a city of nearly 8.5 million people, about 27,900 humans per square mile. Compare the population of New York City with that of Los Angeles (about 4.0 million) or Chicago (about 3.0 million). Ironically, New York State’s population ranks third among US states. Still, the state would appear to be nothing more than a “sea of ​​people.” New York State actually consists of a large number of rolling fields divided by many river valleys with elevations ranging from sea level to Mount Marcy at 5,344 feet. This country, I came to find out, has several areas where vineyards and wineries flourish.

New York State has six areas that currently define its wine country. The areas are:

1) Lake Erie-Chautauqua,

2) Niagara Escarpment,

3) Finger Lakes,

4) Hudson-Catskills River Valley,

5) New York City and

6) Long Island-North Folk-Hamptons.

Another area not previously considered part of the state’s wine country is Central New York-Lake Ontario, an area experiencing recent growth in the wine industry. The top three Lake Erie-Chautauqua, Finger Lakes and Long Island-North Fork-Hamptons areas have more than 95 percent of vineyard acres, more than 75 percent of attached wineries, and more than 95 percent of tons of grapes produced throughout the state. . In an article by Debra J. Goon, she discusses the New York grape and wine industry’s $3.76 billion contribution to the state’s economy. New York ranks third behind California and Washington in grape production by volume.

Grape growing seasons in the state range from about 180 days in the northern areas (Finger Lakes and Upper Hudson River Valley) to 230 days near the Long Island area. Annual precipitation across the state averages 30 to 50 inches per year. The wines produced include sparkling wines, Seyval, Riesling, Pinot Noir, ice wines, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, and Merlot. Many American hybrid grapes such as Catawba, Delaware, Elvira, Ives, and Isabella are also grown. Important French cultivated hybrid grapes, known for making great wines, are Cayuga, Vidal and Vignoles. Concord grapes are grown primarily for use in juices.

The state has several notable wine routes that would make excellent tourist destinations. Trails can be found near the cities of Fredonia, Niagara, Penn Yan, Fayette, Watkins Glen, Marlboro, Clinton Corners, Williamson, Alexandria Bay, and Riverhead. A visit to a winery could easily be combined with a visit to other state attractions such as Niagara Falls, the Sterling Renaissance Festival, the Erie Canal, the Everson Museum, Allegany State Park, Catskill Park or even the beaches of Long Island. Oftentimes, an extra trip that takes you out of the focus of your primary destination is a welcome relief; at least it has been that way for me. I bet you might even find a wine that you can add to your favorites list.

Take time to learn about the New York wine industry. As I always say, buy the wine you like, store it properly in a wine cooler, serve it at the right temperature, and enjoy it immensely.