USA — wine

Finger Lakes

New York's premier wine region, centred on a series of glacially carved lakes in upstate New York that moderate the harsh continental climate and provide unique growing conditions for cool-climate varieties. Seneca Lake (the deepest and warmest) and Cayuga Lake host the finest wineries. Riesling is the undisputed star — the region produces some of North America's greatest examples — though Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and native-hybrid varieties also excel. A region of growing international significance.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Outstanding year for dry and off-dry Riesling; exceptional mineral precision and aromatic clarity
2022 Warmer year; ripe and generous Riesling with good sugar-acid balance and stone fruit character
2021 Warm, dry summer produced ripe, complex Rieslings and reds of unusual concentration.
2020 Challenging early season with excellent late summer. Dry Rieslings showed particular purity.
2019 Classic Finger Lakes vintage — cool, long ripening season producing Rieslings of extraordinary minerality.
2018 Warm summer, long autumn. Rich, approachable wines across all categories.
2017 Cool, long season producing elegant, age-worthy Rieslings and impressive Cab Franc.