Terrassen Rosé Finger Lakes

I have a confession to make - this was my first intro to a Finger Lakes Rosé wine. Let’s take a quick tour of the region and why rosé does so well here.

Fun Fact: There are 3 primary species of wine grapes in New York: European varieties (v. Vinifera), American varieties (v. Labrusca and v. Rupestris) and hybrids. ….Thanks to Dr. Konstantin Frank’s research in the 1950’s on planting of vitis vinifera varietals could do well in cool climates, we would not have the amazing Rieslings from this region today. It’s claim to fame is dry, high acidic, aromatic Riesling. It’s claim to fame is dry, high acidic, aromatic Riesling. They also make a sweet style Riesling as well. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc also due very well here.

New York State wine region is rather large and split into 10 AVA wine regions. Finger Lakes AVA and the many others are clustered around the stunning scenery & glacier lakes of the Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The summers are hot and the winters a harshly cold. Without the lakes insulating the vineyards from harsh frosts during the winter and cooling them during the summer, it would be impossible to make wine here.

Terrassen Cellars was founded by wine director Thomas Pastuszak and his sommelier wife, Jessica Brown. Their mission is to highlight the unique terroir of the Finger Lakes wine region.The amount of care and attention that goes into producing it goes above and beyond the norm.

Terrassen Rosé 2019

🍇 100% Blaufränkish

Jeweled dark salmon pink color rosé with delicate aromas of raspberry, red currant, strawberry, lemon peel, rose petals and chalk. This is a dry rose with savory red fruit flavors, yeast, rose petals, lemon peel and finishing on a dusty chalk minerality. It’s fresh, clean and zippy thirst quenching - creamy balanced finish. Oh so drinkable.

I paired this lovely wine with Middle Eastern Spiced Grilled Chicken Thighs but you could also try a grilled lemon shrimp skewers, multicolored beet salad or roasted mushroom tart.

Happy Finger Lakes Wine Month #fingerlakeswinemonth