All that glitters could be Finger Lakes wines

The gold rush continues for Finger Lakes wineries in 2004.

Several wineries have already scored well in competitions, piling up double-gold, gold and silver medals early in the year.

Arbor Hill Winery in Bristol Springs; Heron Hill Winery in Hammondsport; Hunt Country Vineyards in Branchport and Lakewood Vineyards in Watkins Glen garnered four of the 14 double-gold medals awarded at the fourth Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, held March 27 and 28 in Rochester.

In addition to earning a double-gold award, Lakewood Vineyards' 2002 Riesling was judged the Best Riesling in the competition. The Heron Hill 2002 Late Harvest Riesling and the Hunt Country 2002 Late Harvest Vignoles, both dessert wines, accounted for half of the all-white double-gold winners from the Finger Lakes.

John Brahm of Arbor Hill Winery continues his successful use of the Traminette grape, earning the fourth Finger Lakes double-gold award in the competition.

Fifteen additional Finger Lakes wines earned gold medals. Goose Watch Winery in Romulus won for its Golden Spumante in the sparkling category. There were even a few unusual gold-medal winners, such as the Celestial Peach Wine from Four Chimneys Farm Winery in Himrod, and the 2002 Syrah from Red Newt Cellars in Hector.

Yes, those grapes were produced in the Finger Lakes. Red Newt winemaker Dave Whiting has the corner on Jim Hazlitt's limited planting of the grape type more often associated with California or Australia.

Although Finger Lakes red wines did not fair quite as well as the whites, Dr. Konstantin Frank's 2001 Cabernet Franc, and Six Mile Creek Vineyard's 2002 Cabernet Franc also earned gold medals.

During the 17th annual Florida State Fair International Wine and Grape Juice Competition, held in February, Finger Lakes wineries earned seven of the 66 double-gold medals that were awarded among the 1,165 entries.

Swedish Hill Winery really showed well in this competition, earning two double-gold and three gold medals in the event. They also earned a best of show in the sparkling wine category for their nonvintage Spumante Blush. Hunt Country Vineyards should still be celebrating after earning the most double-gold medals for a winery representing the Finger Lakes.

The winery scored double gold three times: with its 2002 Seyval Blanc, nonvintage Cream Sherry and 2002 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine.

Finger Lakes wineries also accounted for 14 of the 211 gold medals awarded in the Florida competition. Four Finger Lakes wineries excelled in the Riesling category. Chateau Lafayette Reneau's 2002 Late Harvest Riesling, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards' 2002 Homestead Reserve Riesling, Prejean Winery's 2002 Estate Grown Riesling and Six Mile Creek Vineyard's 2002 Riesling all earned gold medals.

It's clear that wines made from all three grape varieties -- vinifera, French hybrid and native labrusca grapes -- can be successful in wine competitions around the country. There is a taste and price point for just about everyone. One person may want to settle back with a glass of sweet Catawba wine, while another looks for the perfect glass of dry, full-fruit cabernet sauvignon to complement a fancy dinner.

All are available here in the Finger Lakes -- you just have to seek them out.

< EM>Jeff Richards' wine column appears Saturdays. For comments or questions, he can be reached at 607/271-8279 or 800/836-8970, ext. 279, or e-mail: jrichards@stargazette.com