Finger Lakes wines take precedence in competition

Winemaker Hermann J. Wiemer has a lot to smile about these days.

His 2002 Reserve Johannisberg Riesling recently won the Governor's Cup at the 2003 New York Wine & Food Classic. It was declared the best New York wine from the 524 entered in the competition.

This is the fifth time in the last six years that a Finger Lakes Riesling has won the coveted award. It is interesting to note that the four previous winners, Chateau Lafayette Reneau in 1998 and 2000; Red Newt Cellars in 2001, and Hosmer Winery in 2002, are all located in an area between Seneca and Cayuga lakes, 10 to 20 miles north of Watkins Glen.

Hermann's win now extends that band of winners to the west side of Seneca Lake. This concentration of award-winning wines really brings into focus the ability of Finger Lakes wineries to make outstanding Riesling wine.

Judges from the East and West Coast rated wines during the event held in Napa, Calif. In all, there were 67 gold or double gold medals awarded during the competition, held outside of New York for the first time in its 18-year history.

Hermann earned more accolades in addition to winning the Governor's Cup. Based on the number of entries and the medals they were awarded, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard was also rated as the New York Winery of the Year. In addition to the 2002 Reserve Riesling being named the best overall wine, his 2002 Gewurztraminer also earned a double gold award. The 2002 Reserve Chardonnay and the 2002 Dry Johannisberg Riesling both earned gold medals at the competition.

All of this good fortune may not have come to Hermann without the encouragement of his wine associate Fred Merwarth. "I had reservations about entering the wines," Hermann said. They had been bottled for only a short amount of time and Hermann was concerned that they might not show well at such a young age. Fred said that he felt good about the wines and encouraged Hermann to enter the competition anyway. "Fred has impeccable taste for food and wine," Hermann said.

Hermann is also proud of the fact that all of his 2002 vintage wines are estate grown and bottled. He feels that managing the whole process, from vine to wine, allows him to achieve optimal results.

Jeff Richards' wine column appears each Thursday on the Twin Tiers Life Food Page. For comments or questions, he can be reached at 607/271-8279 or 800/836-8970, ext. 279, or e-mail: thewineguy