Heron Hill's 2010 Semi-Dry is very similar in style to the winery's Semi-Sweet Riesling of the same vintage. As its name suggests, it is not as sweet as its blue sibling, but still, the sweetness is quite noticeable. The keyword in "semi-dry" is semi.
Although both the semi-dry and semi-sweet Riesling are very similar in style in 2010 I prefer the semi-dry as it has a touch more brightness to it and offers appetizing fruit flavors with an herbal and spicy note. Both Rieslings are well made easy-drinking wines under $15.
The grapes for Heron Hill's 2010 semi-sweet Riesling were sourced from several lots of vineyards from Keuka, Canandaigua and Seneca Lakes and the wine was fermented in stainless steel. It has a medium lemon color and initially a very tropical fruit aroma reminiscent of gummi bears, which is not unusual for cold-fermentation in stainless steel. After the wine had been exposed to air for a half hour it opened up, became a little herbal and revealed a sweet smell of tarragon.
Winemaker Bernard Cannac made a Riesling that offers surprising balance and length for a wine at this price. I tend to get a bit nervous whenever I see a Riesling in a blue bottle but luckily Heron Hill's Semi-Sweet is not that blue. A very good value!
Wagner Vineyard is located on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. The winery was founded in 1979 and thus is one of the veterans in the Finger Lakes.
The 2008 dry Riesling has a pale lemon color. On the nose it is clean and fresh. The aromas of citrus, apple and fresh cut flowers are of medium intensity. The Riesling is quite dry on the palate. The acidity is crisp, both the alcohol and flavor intensity are of medium intensity. Citrus and green pear fruit dominate, although there is a nice touch of minerals towards the finish. Drink now through 2014.
An energetic Riesling and ideal candidate for the dinner table. It does not brag but silently pleases.
This inexpensive Riesling from Washington's Columbia Valley has a medium lemon color and a medium intensity of a waxy-herbal pear aroma. It is off-dry on the palate and has medium(+) acidity. Medium alcohol and body. Medium intensity of pear, wet leaves and herbs. Medium length. Drink now.
Surprisingly good Riesling for $8. It has warmth, ripe fruit and a nice balance of residual sugar and acidity.
The estate Riesling from Weingut Günther Steinmetz was the only true dry Riesling that winemaker Stefan Steinmetz produced in the acidity-driven 2010 vintage.
The wine smells of stones, primarily, and slightly flinty, but there is also a nice hint of flowers. Very pure. One could say 'linear' or one could say 'focused'. In any case, it has a pleasant and very refreshing aroma.
Später-Veit's Riesling feinherb comes in a liter bottle and at a very attractive price of $14.99. It is youthful and has an attractively mineral nose for a wine in this price category. But that is not all. There also quince, grapefruit and apple in the aroma. It is almost dry on the palate, just a hint of residual sugar, which softens the mouthfeel pleasantly. Good balance of fruit and acidity, which is crisp and invigorating. Medium intensity of apple and bread crust flavors. Medium length. Drink now through 2014 (should you ever give a liter bottle that much time).
Developed nose of grapefruit and wet stones (rain on asphalt). Very nice earthy aromas! Off-dry, med acid. Relatively short length. Fruit is fading. Drink now.
A nice Riesling which shows that even inexpensive Rieslings don't need to be drunk within a year or two after they have been released. Admittedly, the fruit is slowly fading and the acidity is not vibrant anymore, but this is still quite a wine for this price.
Medium straw color and - not surprisingly for a biodynamic wine - cloudy. Rather unusual nose for a Riesling. Very earthy, none of the brilliant fruit and pierce minerality. The Ammerschwihr Riesling from Binner has more of a moss-like aroma, wet and fresh, very interesting. It is completely dry on the palate and the acidity is so crisp that it tastes borderline sour. I mean this as a compliment.
We are here for more than just inexpensive Rieslings that have been chaptalized to look pretty but have no character. We are here for more. We want to buy a bottle of a simple house wine and be utterly satisfied.
