Finger Lakes Wines

The Finger Lakes AVA is in upstate New York below Lake Ontario and the Canadian border. It is one of America's coldest wine regions.

As the name suggests, the AVA is based around 11 finger-shaped lakes which are instrumental in keeping the vines alive. Without the retained heat that the lakes provide over winter, the vines would surely die in droves. A few of the lakes like Seneca and Cayuga have their own sub-AVAs, but most vineyards are situated on steep slopes where cold air can easily drain towards the lake, and create a vacuum effect sucking the warmer air back uphill.

Most of the grapes here are hybrids, such as Vidal, Concord and Niagara, as well as American species used for jams/jellies. But Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are the best European varieties suited to the climate and make some very good wines. Riesling is made in all manner of sweetnesses, Chardonnay is used for both still and sparkling, and Cabernet Franc makes red fruited wines with plenty of herbaceousness.