Ice wine is in production
The Finger Lakes area is beautiful and breathtaking at every season, with winter, a sparkling hidden treasure, being no exception. For some of the wineries, this treasure is in the production of ice wine, when they look forward to that first deep frost. In order for a true ice wine to be produced, the grapes need to stay on the vines until the temperature drops below 17 degrees for at least 12 to 14 hours. On Dec. 14, the anticipatory dream became a reality.
Over at Knapp Winery, I had the unique hands-on experience of being able to help the complete Knapp team, 21 harvesters in all, to pick the vidal blanc grapes that will soon turn into the sweet nectar called ice wine. I found the experience completely exhilarating, as visions of fairies and sugar plums danced in my head — wait, wait, wrong story, but so fitting for this time of year.
The vision is real in the fact that the winter fairies were the many hands that picked the grapes, and the sugar plums were the sweetest grapes you could ever taste. You ask yourself, “How do I know this?” Oops, the secret is out — I tasted them — and they were sweet, like a raisin with a crunch. It took us two hours to pick this year’s crop, and it was refreshing like a Peppermint Patty inside and out, and paralyzing to the hands and feet even though I wore two pairs of socks, one being wool, and heavy-duty gloves.
Gene Pierce, owner of Knapp Winery said, “Out of 4.1 tons of grapes harvested, we produced 239 gallons of juice with an average brix (sugar level) reading of 49. We have saved one bin of vidal ice wine pumice to which we will be adding water and sugar in the hopes of starting the fermentation process to create a wine that can be used to distill (the process used by Italians to produce grappa). To think, in 2009, due to a hail storm, this very crop was completely wiped out.”
Check out the video on Youtube titled “Knapp Winery Ice Harvest.” Here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrSZ14OfgME.
Another great opportunity I experienced in early December was savoring a delightful wine-and-food pairing three-course dinner prepared by chef John at Knapp Winery and Vineyard Restaurant. We were served spicy white bean hummus with chorizo sausage on herbed gyro bread with red curry slaw as an appetizer. The second course was roasted red pepper bisque with fresh basil crema and lump crab, with an herbed Lively Run chevre gougueres (popover). The third course was beef Wellington, a filet of beef wrapped in a puff pastry. Finally dessert: a gingerbread trifle, layers of Knapp Ruby Port-infused gingerbread cake with Belgian chocolate cranberry chantilly cream topped with Cayuga Lake Creamery’s White Russian Ice Cream. All the courses were served with Knapp wines, a semi-dry Riesling, prism, a blend of cabernet franc and sangiovese, and Finger Lakes chardonnay. Knapp offers these wine-and-food pairing dinners monthly, so make it your New Year’s resolution to attend at least two or three.
Speaking of New Year’s resolutions, can you believe another year is almost upon us? The question is, “Have you accomplished all of this year’s resolutions?” Thank God for new beginnings!
During the month of January, join everyone at Goose Watch Winery and Swedish Hill Winery for their January White Sale, and we’re not talking towels, we’re talking wine, on Jan. 8. Here you can chase those long winter days away with great wine and complimentary food samples. On Jan. 15, Knapp Winery and Vineyard Restaurant will be serving its Ultimate Comfort Food & Wine Dinner. Think macaroni and cheese and meatloaf, where chef John has created this five-course dinner with comfort and soulful ingredients in mind, paired with perfect wines. Zig-zag your way through a winter’s day at the Between the Lakes event on Jan. 22. Enjoy Finger Lakes wines and delectable bites at 24 wineries located on the west side of Cayuga Lake and the east side of Seneca Lake. For general information, contact Knapp Winery. Also on Jan. 22, Six Mile Creek Vineyard will be hosting its Winter Wine Speak at the Creek event, where wine education is the key to great tastings for either the novice or the professional wine drinker. On Jan. 31, Knapp Winery will host its Finger Lakes Fireman’s Chili Cook-Off. All ticket proceeds will benefit participating fire departments that enter their chili for you to taste.
Everyone from the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail wishes you the best holidays ever, and a prosperous new year.
Cathy Millspaugh is the executive director of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.