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Wines of the Finger Lakes : Featured Selection: SWEDISH HILL 2007 VIDAL BLANC
Earning the title Winery of the Year at the New York Wine & Food Classic for the top showing (based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries) is something special. Dave Peterson, general manager of Swedish Hill Vineyard, says it’s “the best.” But this year, for Swedish Hill, it was even better: not only was it named Winery of the Year, winning a whopping twenty-two medals, but its 2007 Vidal Blanc (about $12) took home the coveted Governor’s Cup, the top prize.
Swedish Hill, founded in 1986 on the western shore of Cayuga Lake, currently produces 63,000 cases annually. In discussing the winery’s approach to winemaking and its stellar all-around showing in the competition, Peterson says: “We try to give each wine as much respect as the next.” He also credits a talented winemaking team and knowing the Finger Lakes vineyards and growers “as well as anyone,” a significant factor for a winery that purchased 80 percent of its grapes in 2007. Moreover, says Peterson, when it comes to the final blend, “We taste and vote as a panel, and the majority rules!”
With a little Riesling (10 percent) and Traminette (5 percent) blended in, the award-winning 2007 Vidal Blanc is indeed Riesling- like. Aside from noticeable sweetness (1.5 percent residual sugar) and an impression of clean, flawless winemaking, the palate offers peach-like flavors at the fore with nectarines, tangerines, and honey lurking in the background. The acidity is moderate, while the finish is lush and long. Pair it with pork, scallops, ham, or Thai food, as one might with a slightly sweet Riesling.
— Dana Malley
Dana Malley is a wine buyer and the manager of Northside Wine & Spirits in Ithaca.
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