March 1999 Main Selection:

Pinot Noir

The basis of all the great Burgundies of France and the leading red variety of Germany, these complex dry wines have earthy aromas and hints of cherries, strawberries, plums and violets. This selection will put to rest the last rays of doubt that New York is capable of producing great Pinot Noir!

1997 Wagner Vineyards Pinot Noir - scored the highest in the major study done by Dr. Leroy Creasy of Cornell University on the concentration of Resveratrol found in 100 red wines from 5 states and 8 foreign countries. (Resveratrol is a naturally occurring substance in grapes which has been found to fight cancer and heart disease) This wine is delicate, emphasizing fruit, softer tannins and a light touch of oak, with strawberries and cinnamon in the bouquet.
1996 Dr. Konstantin Frank Pinot Noir - Dr. Frank was the "pioneer" in the New York state wine industry, sucessfully planting vitis vinifera, the native species of Europe, upstate in the 1950's. This is a truly elegant wine - worthy of its Burgundian ancestry - from the oldest Pinot Noir Vineyards in the state.
1997 Amberg Wine Cellars Pinot Noir - comes from a farm in Seneca Castle in the Finger Lakes on the sloping planes of which grapes have been cultivated since the 1880's. Only 50 cases of this deliciously complex wine were produced. (We, at the CWS, have the only allocation of this wine away from the winery itself!)

CWS Member Price: $36.90

Alternate Selection #1 - Riesling

Riesling is the great grape of Germany that produces aromatic wines of light to medium body. Riesling can have exceedingly complex aromas of flowers, herbs, and spices combined with honey and tropical fruit. New York State is widely acclaimed for producing some of the finest rieslings in the world.

1997 Hermann J. Wiemer Johannisberg Riesling (Dry) - a superb example of a complex Riesling with outstanding fruit, crisp acidity and perfect balance that makes a fine dinner wine. Wiemer is such a purist that he puts this wine into Riesling bottles he imports from Germany.
1997 Wagner Riesling (Fermented Dry) - medium bodied and full of delicate Riesling flavors and aromas, this wine is fabulous for lunch and brunch.
1997 Glenora Riesling - with a 3.15% residual sugar, this semi-dry Riesling with flavors reminiscent of nectarines and honey is terrific as an apertif or with foods ranging from cheese and fruits to spicy oriental cuisine.

CWS Member Price: $24.30

Alternate Selection #2: Blush

If there was a competition between New York and California blush wines and white zinfandels, New York would beat California - hands down. Enough said. If you like mouthfilling fruit and deliciously refreshing wines, try this selection.

Rivendell Interlude Blush- has distinct aromas of fresh cut flowers, apples and strawberries that combine harmoniously with the bursting flavors of peaches and tropical fruits. Consistently judged among New York's best.
Arbor Hill Blush-a blend of the hybrid Cayuga White and the native Pink Catawba, this wine won the Double Gold Medal and the Best Blush at the New York Wine & Food Classic. (A "Double Gold" means that all the judges put it in first place.)
Wagner Vineyards Harlequin - not only a sweet blush but bursting with native grape flavor. You've got to taste it to believe it!

CWS Member Price: $17.10

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