Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard is world-famous for producing critically acclaimed Rieslings and other wines from their cool-climate estate vineyards on the western side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. This winery blends traditional and modern winemaking methods into a harmonious fusion that showcases the benefits of its biodynamic farming practices. Their dedication to high quality is achieved by using indigenous wild yeasts to make wines in small lot fermentations that yield wines with an intense sense of place, or as the French call it, “terroir”. 

We paired the Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard Riesling Semi-Dry 2021 with our brown sugar-cured ham on Christmas. The balance and slight sweetness of this wine worked perfectly with the sweet and salty flavors of the ham. When pairing wine with a main course of ham, look for one that has a hint of sweetness to complement the ham’s saltiness. Riesling is always my first choice because it can be found in a wide range of styles, but Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc are also excellent options. If you want a red, look for a light-bodied one; a nice Pinot Noir will never disappoint.