[John Danza]

Hi Dale,

I heard from someone more familiar with these wines than I that the original level of residual sugar was low enough that it may not have been very sweet to begin with. Expecting more sweetness, I paired it with a key lime pie. If the rest of the bottles I have are like this one, it’s probably better with cheese or maybe oysters.

[John Danza]

At the risk of sounding snobbish, I stay with champagne. I’ve found a number of really nice bottlings that are available at around $25 (US), so I don’t really look for alternative sparklers. My favorites right now are:

1. Philippe Prie Brut Tradition – $24
2. Philippe Fourrier Carte D’or – $24
3. H Blin Brut – $28
4. Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top – $25

[John Danza]

Thanks for the note Chris. I’ll look for the book. Jan and I went to Dirt Candy a few years ago and liked it a lot. That says a lot for me, because I’m a true carnivore.

[John Danza]

I agree Dave that I don’t think the percentage is as high as stated.

I don’t like the reports I’ve heard about wines not evolving under screw cap. That’s not the experience I look for with ageing wine. I’m willing to risk the occasional corked bottle to have the traditional evolution that occurs with a wine under cork.

[John Danza]

• 2007 NCT (Niagara College Teaching) Winery Chardonnay Dean’s List Donald J. P. Ziraldo Vineyard – Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, St. David’s Bench VQA (4/4/2014)
  Fully mature with a light golden hue. A touch oxidized but that blew off after a while. The oak is still buttery but not heavy handed. Good flavors of apples and minerals. This would be a good wine with salmon or other fatty fish. I don’t think the wine will improve with additional ageing, but there’s no need to rush to drink them if you have them, as they’ll last another 5 years. (88 points)

Posted from CellarTracker

• This reply was modified 10 years ago by John Danza.

[John Danza]

I just saw this article about the Finger Lakes area. How has the NOTL area faired after this past brutal winter?

U.S. Declares Finger Lakes Wine Country A “Disaster” Zone

Snow and cold temperatures have made it a miserable winter for grape growers in New York state
© Finger Lakes Wine Country | Snow and cold temperatures have made it a miserable winter for grape growers in New York state
Government to help out growers in New York state after a hard winter ravages vines, reports Leslie Gevirtz.

Posted Friday, 28-Mar-2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared the 19 New York counties that make up the Finger Lakes region a disaster area after a winter-long deep freeze that damaged up to 100 percent of some vineyards.

The declaration means the federal agency will provide financial assistance to growers in the Finger Lakes to replant or rehabilitate their vines after months of frigid temperatures that ranged from -7 to -18 degrees Fahrenheit (-21.6 to -27.7 degrees C).

Cornell University researchers conducted tests suggesting that up to 50 percent of the region’s Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc vines showed bud damage from the brutal freeze brought on by what weather forecasters called the “polar vortex”.

But some vintners saw 100 percent of their vineyards damaged.

“I’ve been speaking to some of my neighbors and they have 100 percent bud mortality,” said John Martini, owner of Anthony Road Winery. On his 75 acres (30.3 hectares) where he grows European varietals, he said the damage to his Merlot was 100 percent. “But the damage to the Riesling is only 50 percent. That’s good by comparison,” he said.

The researchers warned that at temperatures below -14 F (-25.5 C) even Riesling, the most frost resistant of the Vitis vinifera vines, would sustain heavy damage. The deep freeze is particularly hard on the vines’ “primary” buds, which carry most of the coming season’s fruit. That is likely to mean that the yields will be much lower.

The 2003-’04 winter was the last time such brutal temperatures ravaged the region. The full extent of this winter’s toll on New York’s $4.8 billion grape and wine industry is not yet known.

Martini remains concerned that the damage will extend beyond the buds to vines’ trunks and canes. “We’re not yet sure about that injury because it’s not easy to see and usually shows up when the vine tries to grow. A couple of leaves pop out, but then it all collapses.”

[John Danza]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks much for the reply. When Jan and I were in that area in 2003, we went to La Nerthe and it was excellent. I plan on hitting Vieux Telegraphe, Janasse, and Mourchon as well. I’ll look into the others you’ve mentioned.

Jan and I will be in the area the week leading up to the BGA Rhone cruise, so we may join in on one of the pre-cruise days if it works ok with Steve Hipple. So we’ll probably see you there if you’re doing the pre-cruise stuff.

[Author]

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