Ravines Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes (New York) Dry Riesling 2018

 Despite its northern location and frigid winters, the Finger Lakes region of New York State is well suited for Riesling and other European grape varieties.  The lakes are remarkably deep, so the water moderates the temperature of the surrounding shores, allowing Vitus Vinifera planted close by the waters’ edge to survive the winter.  Ravines Wine Cellars, founded in 2001 on the eastern slopes of Keuka Lake, makes only dry wines from Vinifera grapes.  Morton Hallgren, winemaker and owner with his wife, Lisa, has a long experience with viticulture and winemaking having grown up on his family’s property, Domaine de Castel Roubine, a well-regarded Côtes de Provence estate.  This dry Riesling, their “entry level” wine, meaning it’s not a single-vineyard bottling, is a great introduction to the talents of this property.  Dry, mineraly and cutting, this Riesling delivers everything you would want from that grape at this price.  Not for pre-dinner sipping, try it with spiced seafood or pork chops.