Bogle Petite Sirah 2021 is a good choice for anyone looking for a dark, full-bodied California red wine that is approachable and not as “big” as many of the California Cabernet Sauvignons are. Notes of dark berries lead to flavors of dark berries, think blackberry and blueberry. It has a long finish featuring balanced tannins and acidity with a hint of oak. Best paired with hearty fare like grilled red meat, lamb, burgers, or pasta in red sauce. Always a bargain at less than $15 a bottle.
In the upstate region of New York, encircling the beautiful deep glacial lakes, the Finger Lakes Wine Country (FLX) has been the epicenter of New York winemaking for nearly two centuries. The vineyards and wineries around the eleven narrow (finger) but deep lakes benefit from them acting as heat sinks and as a result moderating the temperature close to their shores, most notably the eastern shores due to the prevailing westerly winds.
Seneca is the largest and deepest lake and has the most wineries around it. Keuka is west of Seneca, and Cayuga is to the east. Both are short drives and shouldn’t be overlooked when visiting, as they both feature outstanding wineries that will enhance your wine-tasting and scenic FLX experience. You can’t see all of Finger Lakes Wine Country in one visit, and even if you could, you would be cheating yourself out of many exciting and entertaining return visits. I recommend planning to spend two full days on your first visit to acquaint yourself with the area and learn how to efficiently navigate around the lakes. There are no bridges to cross the lakes, so you must drive around them to reach the other side. A good starting point for your adventure through this enchanting area is to stay in Watkins Glen at the southern tip of Seneca Lake or in Geneva at the northern tip to make your itinerary planning easier. A GPS or navigation app, like WAZE, is your best bet when traveling between points of interest in this rural area. They can provide valuable information about the availability of food, fuel, and other necessities. It is important to have a plan mapped out with the activities you want to do in the order you will arrive at them, while following your plotted travel path to avoid needless driving. Finger Lakes Wine Country is a wine lover’s paradise, but safety must come first when driving and wine tasting. Having a designated driver or hiring a wine tour company are your best options, but if that’s not possible, please use your common sense to keep everyone safe.
Here are a few suggestions for your consideration.
Seneca Lake (western shore):
In my opinion, Herman J. Wiemer Vineyards is the best Riesling producer in North America, and doing a tasting there is a master class in terroir.
Belhurst Estate Winery has three hotels, two restaurants, craft beer, a spa, and a castle.
Anthony Road Wine Company is a landmark winery in the FLX.
Seneca Lake (eastern shore):
The Standing Stone Vineyards story begins as a Gold Seal property with the famous wine visionaries Charles Fournier and Guy DeVaux planting Riesling and Chardonnay there in 1972 and 1974. Standing Stone continues to make excellent wines today as the sister winery to Herman J. Wiemer Vineyards.
Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery is a decades-old Seneca Lake tradition featuring a winery, gift shop, cafe, and craft brewery.
Keuka Lake:
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is the former home of the legendary Dr. Konstantin Frank, whose pioneering work growing vinifera wine grapes in the region transformed winemaking in the eastern United States into what it is today. This is an absolute must-visit winery.
Domaine LeSeurre Winery is a French winery in the FLX, enough said.
Cayuga Lake:
Hosmer Winery offers a relaxed setting with a casual tasting room.
Sheldrake Point Winery has its vineyards and tasting room on the water’s edge of Cayuga Lake.
These are only a few of the many wonderful vineyards and wineries that you will find in Finger Lakes Wine Country. I have written several articles about our trips to the area, which can be found on this blog by searching “Finger Lakes”. I hope this post has piqued your interest in the Finger Lakes because there is so much to see and do there, especially for wine lovers. Happy hunting!
Nestled amongst the rolling hills of Southwestern Pennsylvania just eight miles north of Pittsburgh you can find a little piece of Tuscany. A visit to Narcisi Winery in Gibsonia is like taking a quick trip to Tuscany without having to use your passport.
This family owned and operated winery and restaurant is built on the knowledge of generations of Italian winemakers and traditional family recipes. Whether you are dining alfresco on the patio under the canopy of grapevines or strolling the grounds and vineyards, you can’t resist being swept up in the Italian ambiance of your surroundings.
A diverse menu of wines ranging from their “Flagship” red “Stella” that is a take on a “Bordeaux blend”, through a nice lineup of reds, whites, blushes, rosés, and fruit wine, guarantees that there is something to satisfy anyone’s taste.
In addition to the patio and outdoor wine and pizza bar that features a wood-fired pizza oven, you can also dine in the beautifully appointed restaurant.
If you are in the mood for a beer they have you covered with a beer garden featuring a diverse selection of beers on draft or bottled. As you enter the beer garden area you pass between towering plantings of hop vines that enhance your experience. Check out the raised bed vegetable gardens. next to the beer garden.
Entertainment is always front and center at Narcisi Winery. A bandstand and lawn play host to live music on a regular schedule.
If you want or need a break to escape your normal day-to-day routine, I suggest you explore this little taste of Tuscany in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
narcisiwinery.com 724-444-4744 Photo Credit: Narcisi Winery
The latest entry in my ongoing series of reviews featuring enjoyable and affordable wines that are widely available highlights a Lodi, California Zinfandel. The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi is not the Zinfandels of folklore that were rendered from zinfandel grapes shipped from the Cucamonga Valley of California in crates adorned with colorful labels depicting the cultural heritage of the region. Those wines were big, bold, “over the top” wines with high alcohol content. What made those wines unforgettable wasn’t their high quality but the physical link they provided to the immigrant communities, which made them feel connected to their homelands and the cherished memories of people and places they left behind in search of a better life in America.
The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi 2019 is a good example of a Zinfandel from Lodi, California. It displays a bold but restrained body with flavors of dark fruit and cherries that complement its tannins, leading to a surprisingly smooth finish. It can be easily found for less than $20 a bottle and at that price point represents a good “QPR” (Quality-Price Ratio) value buy.
I have always advocated for drinking Rosé year-round, but I must admit that I enjoy it more during the warmer months, when it pairs well with the lighter fare of the season. Rosé is a flavorful choice to enjoy with grilled fresh fish, pork, or chicken, along with locally sourced “farm to table” produce/products. I am hearing that some sommeliers are even pairing it with steak. Well, that’s interesting. What do you think? Rosé from southern France is synonymous with the daydream of spending a leisurely afternoon relaxing at a sun-drenched seaside bistro while basking in the sights, sounds, tastes, and aromas of the region’s idyllic lifestyle.
We can’t all just jet off to the French Riviera on a whim, but we can certainly get a taste of the good life by enjoying a nice bottle of rosé.
E. Guigal is a dependable producer of quality wine from the Southern Rhône Valley. E. Guigal Côte du Rhône Rosé is a classic expression of a well-balanced southern Rhône rosé with delicate notes of citrus and raspberry leading to a medley of red fruit flavors. The beauty of this wine isn’t limited to its color in your glass, but to its budget-friendly price of less than $20, and that you can easily find it almost anywhere.
Warm weather has arrived, and with it the tradition of drinking lighter wines, like Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. The reason this long-standing annual tradition continues is that it is enjoyable and satisfying on so many levels.
For many, the mere mention of Sauvignon Blanc brings images of New Zealand and France to mind. While it is hard to go wrong when selecting a Sauvignon Blanc from either the North or South Island of New Zealand or the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France, there are also outstanding examples of this wine being produced in other regions. California, Chile, Argentina, and Australia also make great Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc offers a diverse variety of taste profiles that vary widely from mouth-watering fruit-driven wines laden with citrus aromas to ones exhibiting a savory character filled with vegetal undertones that drift in the direction of green bell peppers and freshly mown grass.
Depending on your personal preferences, you can find a Sauvignon Blanc that is made in a style and at a price point that meets your tastes and budget.
It is no coincidence that SB shows up on dining tables as the seasons change. This versatile white wine boasts citrus notes that enliven seasonal fare while its bright acidity cuts through creamy sauces and buttery dishes. The perfect complement to seafood, shellfish, and any lightly prepared fish. Sauvignon Blanc really shines when paired with charcuterie boards.
Consider these four well-made Sauvignon Blancs from California, New Zealand, and France. All are moderately priced, at around $30, and widely available.
Rutherford Hill AJT Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (USA) Wine Spectator 94 pts James Suckling 91 pts Jeb Dunnuck 90 pts
Saracina Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County 2023 (USA) Wine Enthusiast 95 pts
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2023 (New Zealand) Wine Spectator 93 pts
Domaine Philippe Raimbault Les Fossiles Sancerre Blanc 2023 (Loire Valley, France)
Photo Credit: finewineandgoodspirits.com
The Spanish region of Galicia is located on the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, north of Portugal. It is a verdant territory bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and mountains to the east. The capital Santiago de Compostela is home to the cathedral where the remains of the apostle Saint James are believed to be buried.
The rugged coastline and cold waters of the Atlantic are the source of the region’s bountiful seafood while the diverse inland areas provide unmatched agricultural products. Galicia is a rising star among food lovers and boasts thirty seven Michelin-starred restaurants.
The wine producing district within Galicia is Rías Baixas. Rías Baixas is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (D.O.) wine region. It has a cool maritime climate with granite soils that contribute to its crisp dry aromatic white wine having high acidity, notes of citrus, and subtle salty character. Galician Albariño has long been the preferred white wine to pair with any of the seafood harvested from its abundance offshore waters and dramatic coastlines.
If you are interested in trying a well-made Rías Baixas Albariño in the $20 range I recommend La Val Albariño 2022. It is bright with lively acidity, tangy citrus flavors, a lingering finish, and Albariño’s signature salinity. James Suckling rated this wine 91 pts.
To learn more about this region you can watch two excellent food and travel hosts that have visited it recently. Award-winning travel show V is for Vino founder and host Vince Anter explores the wines and winemakers of Rías Baixas in Season 4 Episode 2. This episode and all his shows are available to view free on YouTube, as well as, other outlets. CNN presents Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain. She journeyed to Galicia in Season 1 Episode 5. Eva focuses more on the Michelin-starred restaurants of Galicia and local culture.
Galicia is a fascinating part of Spain, totally unlike the traditional preconceptions of Spain we have grown accustomed to. The world is rediscovering what “Green Spain”, as Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country are often called, has to offer in terms of food, wine, beautiful landscapes, and lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Google, finewineandgoodspirits.com, V is for Vino, CNN
If you loved Stanley Tucci’s food and travel show “Searching for Italy,” which became a phenomenon during the pandemic, you will be happy to hear that Stanley’s new show “Tucci in Italy” has just premiered. The five-part series began airing Sunday, May 18, 2025, on the National Geographic Channel and can also be viewed streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. It may have taken a while, but we can once again traipse around five different regions of Italy with Stanley, enjoying their food and culture without leaving home. “Ciao di nuovo” Stanley!
Next in my series highlighting widely distributed wines is a bottle we were gifted. The iconic Paso Robles Cab J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2022. It is the quintessential example of how mass-produced California Cabs are blended to achieve a consistent taste profile every year. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petite Sirah , 5%Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cab Franc. A Wine Enthusiast 90 pt “Best Buy” January 2025. Vanilla notes from oak barrel aging with big juicy red fruit flavors and soft tannins. It’s a solid choice when selecting a Cab for dinner guests because pairing it with grilled or roasted red meat, think steak and lamb, or even pasta with a hearty red sauce is sure to please.
Along the southern shore of Lake Erie where it borders Pennsylvania you will find the vibrant and always evolving wineries of Lake Erie Wine Country. The Lake Erie AVA is the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies and a treasure trove of activities but for this post, I’ll highlight six wineries that will provide visitors an itinerary upon which they can build as they become more familiar with the area.
I’ll start with the winery I consider to have the most name recognition of the region’s producers. Mazza Vineyards and South Shore Wine Company are two destination wineries for first-time visitors or seasonal travelers. Both are a good starting point to explore the wines that these legacy wine companies offer. Mazza Vineyards 11815 E. Lake Rd (Rt5) North East 814-725-8695 South Shore Wine Company 1120 Freeport Rd (Rt89) North East 814-725-1585 http://enjoymazza.com
Our next stop is 6 Mile Cellars and as its name suggests it is located on 6 Mile Creek in Harborcreek. This is the closest winery to downtown Erie making it a convenient stop for visitors. This boutique winery’s tasting room is in a one hundred-year-old horse barn that has been repurposed into an inviting space to enjoy their diverse selection of wines. 5727 Firman Rd Erie 814-580-8375 http://6milecellars.com
Route 20 provides easy access to the popular Courtyard Winery in North East. No tasting at Courtyard’s beautiful tasting room is complete without trying their Chambourcin. 10021 West Main Rd North East 814-725-0236 http://courtyardwinery.com
Continuing on Route 20 we arrive at Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company 11727 East Main Rd North East. This winery is a landmark in the area and is well-known to travelers on Route 20. 814-725-1079 http://arundelcellars.com
If you want to try something different but still taste distinctive wines, consider Burch Farms Country Market & Winery. You can shop at their country market for farm fresh produce, and assorted baked goods from their bakery, and taste their wines. Located at 9210 Sidehill Rd North East
http://burchfarmscountrymarketandwinery.com
Erie, Pennsylvania offers something for everyone and is an easy drive for many in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. If you haven’t given this region much thought as a day trip or getaway option please take a minute to see if it’s right for you.
Photo credit: http://lakeeriewinecountry.org
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