I thought I would give another shout-out (love that expression) to Rustic Ridge Winery, which Steven and I visited as part of our long adventure a few Saturdays ago (perhaps you read my blog post about that).
We had visited Rustic Ridge some time before, on a nice, quiet week day (I wrote a blog post about that, too). I was a little worried that it would be too crowded on a Saturday afternoon, being as it is a popular spot. On the other hand, a little crowd isn’t always a bad thing, and wine-tasting crowds are often nice. both things were true this day.
As we walked up to the tasting building, it was starting to rain. I did Shawshank Redemption for the entertainment of the folks sitting in the Adirondack chairs on the porch, enjoying a glass of wine (ever since I spent time in Arizona in army training, I have been a big fan of rain).
As I utilized the facilities, Steven got us a spot at the bar. On joining him, I realized I had left my little notebook in the bathroom. By that time somebody else was in the bathroom. I expressed my dismay.
“I don’t think anybody will steal your notebook,” a man sitting at a nearby table said.
“I know, but I always make notes in it while I taste,” I said. I went back over to the bar. Soon the guy at the table brought my notebook over to me. See what I mean about wine-tasters being nice? I know, many people are nice without wine, and some people are not nice with or without wine. Right now, I am talking about nice people tasting wine.
We tasted five wines. The Chardonnay had no oak, which I like in a Chardonnay. The Untamed White was a blend of Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. The guy pouring (I foolishly did not get his name) said it was comparable to a Pinot Grigio. I pronounced it tasty. I thought there was a little more to it than to the Chardonnay.
The Traminette is a hybrid grape like a Gewurztraminer. I caught floral notes, although the description did not mention that. I was impressed by this, because I almost never catch notes of anything, but I wasn’t sure I liked the wine. The Untamed Red, a blend, was described as an everyday table wine. I found it tasty.
The Cabernet Franc was described as heavy-bodied. I liked it but was not sure how to describe it. Complex? Well, we all know I’m not a real oenophile.
We purchased a bottle of the Untamed White to enjoy later. Other tasters were purchasing bottles for immediate consumption. I may do that sometime, when I can get a seat in one of those Adirondack chairs on the porch.
Rustic Ridge Winery is located at 2805 St. Hwy 80, Burlington Flats, NY. Phone number 607-965-0626. Their website is http://rusticridgewinery.com/.
Mohawk Valley Girl 