You can find some good riesling grown and made here on Long Island, but we are lucky to have one of the country’s premier riesling regions just a five- or six-hour drive northeast in the Finger Lakes.
A handful of local wineries buy some fruit from the Finger Lakes, but consistently one of the most successful producers with it is Anthony Nappa Wines, the eponymous label owned by Raphael’s winemaker, Anthony Nappa.
This week’s “Wine of the Week” is Anthony Nappa Wines 2017 Riesling ($18), which is made from riesling grapes grown on the western shores of Cayuga Lake at Sheldrake Point Winery.
It’s the kind of off-dry, easy-drinking riesling that is sure to please most anyone you open it for.
Its aromas center mostly on lemon and lime with background notes of sweet green apple and citrus blossoms. There is a little sweetness here (2 percent residual sugar) but the light-bodied palate shows nice balance thanks to a lime juice-y acidity. Flavors range from lemon-thyme to something slightly tropical — and again, there’s nice balance here so that the finish feels almost dry on the palate.
All of the classic off-dry riesling pairings apply here — especially spicy Thai or Indian food — but this is the kind of wine I like to drink before dinner, either while I’m cooking or just talking with friends. It’d delicious, but not the kind of wine that demands too much thought or consideration.
It’s available at The Winemaker Studio for $18.
