Finger Lakes Blog

It’s that time of year when sparkling wines are lining the store shelves and liquor store bubbly displays abound. Bubbles are a popular choice for holiday festivities and the honorary drink of New Year’s Eve, but all sparkling wines are not created the same. Here’s a brief rundown of four different methods for sparkling wine and the flavors you can typically expect (although each wine will present its own unique expression) – and you can find each of these types in the Finger Lakes. And yes, we

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and for most of us, meal planning takes center stage. It is the quintessential feasting holiday from the bird and side dishes, to the wide array of desserts. I’m hungry just thinking about it!

But what about the wine? Often it becomes an afterthought, or a last-minute, even overwhelming decision. How do we please all the guests? What will match with the turkey, cranberry sauce, and the other dozen trimmings?

"The Finger Lakes makes it possible for parents to enjoy wine country without needing to leave the kids behind--or having to wait until the nest is empty. Parents like wine, too!"

1. Research wineries ahead of time.

Ask them to stay near you, or in an area you designate as kid-safe. Remind them not to touch things that

The light body and wonderful berry flavors of Swedish Hill's 2014 Maréchal Foch, an unoaked dry red, pair perfectly with the chicken tortilla soup.

To celebrate the first buds and blooms of the season, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail hosts the Wine & Herb Festival each spring. Stop in to each trail member winery to savor herb-prepared cuisine paired with wine to compliment the dish. You'll also receive a wine glass, a garden plan (no green thumb required), and a plant carrier to fill with

1 cup Chef William Creations Buffalo Ghost Hot Sauce
1 lb. cream cheese
8 oz. or 2 cups shredded swiss cheese
8 oz. or 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. crumbled bleu cheese
1 tsp. celery salt
1 cup heavy cream
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 cup Castel Grisch Chardonnay-Riesling (more if needed)
Crackers for dipping

• In a large non-stick pot, add the Buffalo Ghost Hot Sauce and then break pieces of cream cheese into the hot sauce. Sprinkle the Swiss over the cream cheese, blend in, then add the cheddar.

A warm mug of "winter goodness" at GRAFT wine + cider bar.

Although mulled wine is most commonly enjoyed in the fall and around the holidays, National Mulled Wine Day is celebrated on March 3rd each year. Dating back several centuries to medieval Europe, mulled wine has been an evolving tradition in many different cultures. There is a variety of recipes out there, but "mulled" simply means that the wine (which is traditionally red) is heated and spiced, making it the perfect treat to